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SPEAKING OUT

Memo to Worship Bands Memo to Worship Bands

Five sound reasons to lower the volume.

John G. Stackhouse Jr. | posted 2/02/2009 10:41AM

Can you hear me? You can? I'm sorry if I am shouting, but I have just spent half an hour in a church service with a typical worship band, and my ears are ringing. I'm sure to be fine in a minute. Or hour. ...

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Karrotcat

Posted: February 15, 2009 10:06 PM


I have left in the middle of church services when the music is too loud. No one who loves me is going to hurt my eardrums.

Greyone

Posted: February 13, 2009 12:11 PM

My family has left the contemporary evangelical church due to the fluff worship mentality. We now attend a litugical service, with hymns, a lector, and choir. How do we dare look at a population, assuming we did this well (which we do not) and then base our church worship on their present interests? Is worship something that we "do" during church? I have heard this debated over and over, with the same lack of outcome. Many parents do this with regard to their children, too. Children can learn WAY more than we allow them, and instead we cram them full of TV, sugar, indigestible diets, and wonder why our kids are getting worse, sicker, more behaviorally challenged, and further and further from educational standards that we believe (somehow?) we are getting closer to... How long will we chase the latest Britney Spears trend for our church worship? Should SACRED worship reflect a historical yearning for heaven OR a desire to sing songs, maybe about God, that sound just like the radio?

marc	Posted: February 13, 2009 11:27 AM

Looks like this article and some of the comments I have read seems like the Lord is answering part of the prayers of us who want church unity and revival, but also know the need to be 'prostate' before the Lord and be 'repentant' of letting whatever our self-pride, or worldly trends, damage our Christian message to those of us in the church and to the rest of this world. When Christian songs tell us to 'turn up the music-turn it up Loud!' are popular and win awards, something is spiritually amiss. I have attended ministry meetings and conferences where I stay outside the main meeting halls until the music worship is over and then go in for the message. I listen to Christian radio in my car. Sometimes I catch a song in the middle of it playing, and I can't tell if I'm tuned into a Christian station or one of the rock stations by mistake. Many recorded songs have such a heavy bass/percussion beat that it ruins the singer's message, even with tone level adjustment attempts.

Laura

Posted: February 12, 2009 4:24 PM


A whole hearted AMEN! I too come from a rock background, and I love contemporary worship, but when I get hoarse because I have to strain my voice just to hear myself over the band, something's wrong. Worship is about glorifying God and coming into His Presence, and if the volume of the music keeps that from happening, then there's a problem.

Anonymous

Posted: February 12, 2009 10:47 AM

I agree, we have visited many churches and find the same problem in all of them. I appreciate most forms of music. It is the volume that spoils it. Many of our friends feel the same way, so they either don't attend or they wait till after the music is over. We have stopped inviting friends to our church because they all say the same thing. We often go out side and wait till it is over. It is not consistently loud but when it is it actually hurts. I have observed the people when the music goes from comfortable to loud. Worship shuts down. Too loud is what is not allowed in neighborhoods or theaters because of the decible level. I cannot hear God or myself when this happens. My children attended rock concerts but they do not like that level of volume in the church. I feel it distorts the music and the words are not understandable. What is the goal? Where does it take us? I have also observed that the young people (that this is supposedly for) do not engage.

Johann

Posted: February 12, 2009 9:43 AM


Someone aptly described today's Christian pop music as "Christian schlock". Just take the latest secular hit single, replace the word "baby" with "Jesus" and take down the talent level a few notches. What dreck! Yet modern Protestantism, especially the non-denominational denominations, has to be soooo contemporary! Their worship services are just emotionally manipulative concerts.

Long Lake Gal

Posted: February 12, 2009 7:12 AM

I strongly agree that we need to have the worship musicians, but at a level that dosn't harm your hearing. Our church has a contemporary service, set at 10:30 am. The traditional service was changed to 8:15 a.m., making it difficult for many long time members to attend a traditional service. It is particularly difficult living in Michigan in the winter time Traditonal service attendees are usually older, and have trouble seeing in the dark, and aren't always brave on the early icy roads. Some are atteding the contemporary service because they still want to come to church, but can't take the loud music and the long standing time while the music is being played. Consequently, our attendance has gone from over 900, to around 375. It seems as if the traditional service people aren't wanted anymore.

Deanna

Posted: February 12, 2009 12:54 AM

"No, the contrast with the Reformation is the modern-day insistence that a few people at the front be the center of attention. We do it by making six band members louder than a room full of people. But a church service isn't a concert at which an audience sings along with the real performers. Musicians—every one of them, including the singers—are accompanists to the congregation's praise. They should be mixed loudly enough only to do their job of leading and supporting the congregation." YES - thank you.

Jan	Posted: February 11, 2009 2:25 PM

Well finally, someone has addressed this. Personally, I appreciate praise and worship songs with simple , repetitive words and then the melody. Now, the praise songs are so lengthy and have so many words, that you have to Constantly LOOK AT THE MONITORS, just to sing along. I find it very difficult to get into the Spirit while looking at the monitor and reading. The leaders just keep adding more and more new songs. I feel that I can never catch up, relax, and really enter the Holy of Holies where the true Presence Of God is! Isn't that why we worship? Isn't the goal of worship to lead the church into the presence of God? I can deal with loudness, but I want to really enter in when I come to worship. It is sad, the number of times I've been present for praise and worship, and not received the blessing of havng been in the presence of God. Then they just go on to the next thing on the agenda. Oh well, I hope someone is listening. Amen

Carolyn

Posted: February 11, 2009 1:46 PM

I, too, am having a problem with the music at my church. I would like to hear the people singing instead of those conducting this part of worship. Being a former musician in the church for many years, I liked something that would put me into the worship mode rather than distract from the whole setting. And, also, where are the old hymns - we do good if we hear one "oldie goldie" and then the timing and tune has been rearranged which is not good for congregational participation. Thank you for letting us comment.

ray	Posted: February 11, 2009 10:02 AM

I think that having a good quality sound system (PA) and a well-trained, observant sound technician is as important as having skilled musicians. The system, including monitors, should be set up by a professional, who should also train the sound tech. The tech is THE person who determines/controls what the congregation hears, including the sermon (+/- mic. feedback). Usually, musicians and sound techs are volunteers, thus perfection cannot be expected. Maybe the sound tech SHOULD be a pro! Don't always blame the musicians - some don't even control their own volume - the sound tech does. Above all, the worship leader and/or pastor is responsible for the leadership and direction of all. THEY should be sensitive to the Spirit and the needs of the congregation and make sure that the worship team fulfils their primary purpose, to lead God's people in praise and worship in a manner that pleases God and encourages His people. THAT is what's important, not personal taste or tradition!

DougU

Posted: February 11, 2009 9:51 AM

Thank you for such a challenging article. Loud does not equal energy, loud does not equal spirituality, and loud does not cover mediocrity. However I would say most worship teams are lay-ministers who want to glorify God with their skills, not "wannabe" rock stars. with families and jobs, it is a sacrifice for them to attend rehearsals, and they dont get to spend hours honing their musical skills. As a worship leader, I have chosen not to sit in judgment over another church's or persons choice of expression to God, yet I want to be keenly aware of the sensibilities of those God has placed in my realm of ministry coupled with my calling to reach a lost world with an "accessible" Jesus. It is the challenge all leaders face. It is God's place to judge the hearts of those He has placed to lead his people in worship, regardless of culture or style, So let us encourage each other on and not tear each other down.

TonyJoe

Posted: February 11, 2009 8:10 AM

Wow! Brother, Such anger! The author's mistatement concerning Luther does not negate the validity of his assertion that excessive volume does nothing to enhance praise and worship. I am a singer/songwriter. I played in a regionally known rock & roll band for years during the 70's. Now I use my talents only to praise and worship the Lord along with a group of the most talented musicians I have every had the honor to work with. However, I too feel we are too loud at times. Some of my most profound worhip and praise musical experiences have been barely a whisper accompanied by an acoustic quitar. Finally, we can disagree on this issue, but please let's not denigrate and devalue the sincere efforts of our church praise and worship teams. Talent will never take the place of a pure heart in worhip

mark	Posted: February 11, 2009 7:49 AM


don't be a hater

bluesman345

Posted: February 11, 2009 1:57 AM

I agree. However, from the standpoint of one who has played "rocky" worship music in churches for 38 years, I would like to make a few comments. I realize that all of us as Christians have our own musical tastes, traditions and preferences. However, I don't think that we should expect that "our" way should be the only "right" way of doing things. This includes the guitarist who likes to crank it up to "11", the drummer who thinks he is in a stadium, or the shy vocalist who appears to be scared of their own voice. On the other hand, I have been told that "I don't like it loud" by a soundman and "I wish that they would turn the drums down" by a grey-haired gentleman who says that he used to be a drummer himself. Others may prefer only acoustic, piano or organ music. Balance and sensitivity is the key. To paraphrase Paul, "Let all things be done and HEARD, decently and in order". Let the congregation sing their hearts out! But let the musicians be HEARD playing THEIR hearts out.

Neil	Posted: February 10, 2009 9:12 PM

There is absolutely no real, legitimate, valid reason for the volume as mostly encountered (apologies for the tautology, but the point needs to be made). None! None whatsoever. I speak from 2 decades in world rock bands and 25 years in the church worship 'scene'. The abominably high volume of both the world and the church is NOT NECESSARY. What IS necessary is that uptempo contemporary music needs some punch - i.e. volume - but NOT excruciatingly so. It is also a law of audio physics that music actually does sound richer when louder BUT ..... NOT excruciatingly so. It has simply become the accepted custom. When you don't comply, you will be a nerd, uncool, not accepted, and you might even lose gigs (or services). Very sad indeed. Pride! Let not any young person say that this is just some old guy moaning. I fully support young people and am totally in favour of them 'taking over' - as the next generation they must always be allowed to take over. I am worried about their ears, though.

kentlee7

Posted: February 10, 2009 8:38 PM

AMEN!!! Oh, for so long I've wanted to hear someone else speak out about this, as it has bothered me for so long, in different churches that I've been in. I agree that this detracts from real, heart-felt worship, and hinders worshipers' ability (and my ability) to meaningfully contemplate God and enter his presence. And if my ears hurt or if I have a headache afterward, it's noise, not worship. This is an article that should be emailed to pastors and worship leaders everywhere.

Tanya

Posted: February 10, 2009 7:02 PM

I strongly disagree with article as it was brought to my attention, underlined by a memeber of the congregation, much like all of you who are finding it easy to complain. I find the article to be so offensive, mainly because we don't crank up the volume. It's interesting to me that JS finds it so easy to generalize EVERY Praise Band, EVERY sounds system. I'm not saying that some music isn't loud--I know ours isn't however, the grumblers and you know who you are, your mouths water for articles like this, just to nix contemporary music AGAIN!! I would like to know--when did attending church just become about our individual selves? These types of comments make non-believrs run far away from anything that has a hint of Christianity...many of those Guns n Roses fans might actually like to attend a church that can rock out (and again ours doesn't) but all of those with self-righteous attitudes couldn't be happier to hurt people's feelings. When does all this ugliness stop?

Ioana

Posted: February 10, 2009 4:18 PM

My husband and I attend an overall evangelical Anglican Church in York (next to the big Minster). Their morning service can have wonderful worship music, with normal decibells, too, but the evening one is most of the time too loud for comfort, nevermind worship. I am so glad that someone has written an article about this, it is such a common thing, and such an ugly thing, too. I think it is ridiculous not to be able to hear yourself singing. I hope the article makes people hear. Thanks for shouting it out, brother John G. Stackhouse . Amen

Joel Chan

Posted: February 10, 2009 3:11 PM

Hear hear!!! :) I've been struggling a lot lately with the issue of volume and the performance-emphasis of corporate worship in many churches today. We're doing a worship event on campus next month, and we're eschewing amplification and a full-blown band. Instead, we're going to have the lyrics take the stage, interleave the musicians (2 guitarists, a pianist, and a percussionist) among the congregation (which will be seated in a communal-type circle formation), and emphasize that the "vocalists" ARE the congregation. It's time to put Jesus back on the throne during worship time. Maybe it's also time to rethink the way we do church.

Karen

Posted: February 10, 2009 6:01 AM

I'd not heard of this "worship war". I am 60 years old, I love my Lord and am so grateful for my salvation. I've been to a few different countries and experienced different styles. Yes, i too, finially experienced the music being much too loud. They were about to blow thier amps , screatching etc. I knew they were trying to work on it , during church time. This is what God put in my heart, " Will you worship me? Testing. Testing. Will you worship me? In the noise ? when it is too loud? Not the way you personally desire the music to be. Will you worship me? Can you hear My voice in the distraction?" I began to smile , the music was too loud again i smile. "help them Lord, and yes i will worship You now! in the midst of problems , pain , War, ... And so i worshiped in the 3rd row . hands lifted up ,voice with a heart of thanksgiving , determined to let nothing stop me from praising My Saviour nor from hearing the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Peace

Carol

Posted: February 09, 2009 8:45 PM


Amen!!

Al Wayne

Posted: February 09, 2009 6:09 PM

It is clear the true author of Mr. Stackhouse`s article is the Holy Spirit, by the reactions it is getting from the people upset by it. They cannot use any scripture to back their veiwpoint only name calling ie. "disgusting, spoiled etc." This happens when the Holy Spirit confronts those who promote something that is carnal as Holy. The loud shouting in Revelations is in Heaven as Ruth King Goddard states. Jesus never suggests to us to abuse our bodies and those of our children in order to worship Him here on earth. Galations 5:22 & 23, but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

vocalist

Posted: February 09, 2009 2:33 PM


I am so glad to see that it's not just me!!! I sing on the praise team at my church and 98% of the time yes it is way, way, way too loud. To the point where I can't even hear the other vocalists. I would love to be able to have our voices blend with the memebers of the congregation to sing to our KING! I have forwarded this article to some folks on my team, maybe this will help.

Michael

Posted: February 09, 2009 2:02 PM

Regarding the "older folks," a quote from C.S. Lewis seems appropriate: When I first became a Christian, about fourteen years ago, I thought that I could do it on my own . . . I disliked very much their hymns, which I considered to be fifth-rate poems set to sixth-rate music. But as I went on I saw the merit of it. I came up against different people of quite different outlooks and different education, and then gradually my conceit just began peeling off. I realized that the hymns (which were just sixth-rate music) were, nevertheless, being sung with devotion and benefit by an old saint in elastic-side boots in the opposite pew, and then you realize that you aren't fit to clean those boots. It gets you out of your solitary conceit. (From "Answers to Questions on Christianity" in God in the Dock.) Personally, I think if y'all aren't providing opportunities for young people to realize we're not fit to clean those boots, church isn't happening.

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