We fight the consumer mindset all the time. Not surprisingly, everyone wants to hear "their music" in church. But we can't be focused on "what I want to hear" and on the Lord at the same time. If I focus on what I want, I'll be dissatisfied, angry, or at best mollified—but not changed. Genuine change happens only when God is the central focus.

So each week the challenge is to get the focus off self and onto God. Not easy!

One "trick" that has helped our folks the most has been reading Scripture in the context of singing. A few weeks ago, we began a series in Genesis, so we read the Creation story. But rather than stop the music to have the Scripture reading as a separate element, we read it in three parts, between the verses of "This Is My Father's World." The band played quietly under the reading, and the congregation sang in response. Transitions were seamless, and the congregation's response was noticeably better. This helped our people forget about musical preferences and focus ...