Karioke

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Permalink Reply by Graham Boler on 26 May 2008 at 9:02pm

I thought I would be "disgusted of cheshire" when I read this, but I find it doesn't bother me at all. It even made me laugh.

In fact, although I have helped start a live music club to combat local karaoke, I don't feel as precious about worship. In fact, I would be happy with people singing a monotone accompaniment to an out-of-tune monk, or listening to an old scratchy tape player, so long as they were worshipping God.

We should rightly praise God for our musical gifts and want to use them for his glory - but that doesn't mean other people have to like it! It's a bit humbling, really...

Perhaps we need to add a bouncing ball to Songpro and Powerpoint...

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Permalink Reply by Mark Kendal on 26 May 2008 at 9:36pm

HI
Interesting one. Our church took a decision a few years ago to use CDs for worship in our mid week "cell" meetings and not to use real instruments. There was a good reason for this decision in that we want all folks in a cell to be able to lead the worship or the word, welcome or works and using CDs (or just voices) puts everyone in the same starting place!

However for Sundays we continue to use our musicians and long may it continue! The trouble with CDs is you're stuck with the songs as they come off the CD. So much better to have the flexibilty to be sensitive and play and sing what's needed. So whilst our church decision for our small mid week groups was reasonable I can't think of a reason to use Karouke for a big meeting if real musicians are available.

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Permalink Reply by Wulf Forrester-Barker on 27 May 2008 at 12:50pm

I'm not a fan of the idea in general for a number of reasons. For example, because a CD is unable to respond to what is going on in the room, it tends towards the kind of passive entertainment that our culture is already saturated with (even worse if you are using a live recording with built in "audience reaction").

There is also the question of what gives most encouragement for people to use their gifts. If the picking of the CD, the creation of suitable graphics and the smooth running of the system all work together in prayerful harmony, then that is cool. If it is filling a gap when most of the band are unavailable or giving the congregation a chance to hear a new song, then I can see a place for that. However, if the band are left sitting on their hands rather than being given a creative opportunity to use their gifts, that is not so good.

We do often use CDs in small groups - even there, where practical considerations (like lack of musicians and people's insecurities about their singing voices) make it a strong option, it often ends up as someone playing a song or two that they like rather than creating a place that helps us draw together in worshipping God.

Wulf

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Permalink Reply by Dave Clemo on 27 May 2008 at 4:30pm

Aaaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhhhh! Don't get me started!
When I was an itinerant worship leader we visited a number of churches that didn't have a single musician. One church bought a midi file player and a load of midi files to sing along to. It's OK as a last resort and it just marginally beats employing a non-christian to come in and play the piano or organ for Sunday services.
I was a member of a new church a few years ago that, prior to my joining, used CDs. They had a CD multichanger etc. When we started to look at joining, they were all over us like a rash. We would lead worship whenever our diary allowed.
After we joined the church started to get itself organised. I was quite happy to lead worship when we were in town (or not). I was happy to preach when asked and I prepared a series of talks on worship and worship leading that were well recieved.
However, the church preferred CDs to live worship and I had to ask myself why.
They preferred "live" worship albums with applause (the church was never more than 25 strong at that time)
Try as I may I could not worship this way. I was reduced to the level of a spectator.
I didn't have to do anything.
I didn't have to sing- someone was already doing that for me on the record
I didn't have to clap or cheer or show my appreciation or make any vocal input into the service as it was all on the record.
I became a spectator.
I hated it
I hated it
I hated it
I hated it

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