Today’s post comes from a conference called Verge in Austin, Texas. Pastor Nate Williams and I traveled here to learn more about “missional communities”, or how to live as the church. The teaching has been challenging on some levels, and on other levels affirming to how we are seeking to live out the gospel at Vintage21 Church. To watch online, visit verge2010.org.
A bonus of attending conferences is being able to worship through singing in an environment that is not Vintage21 Church. As much as I love worshiping with my church family, it’s difficult to turn off the radar of responsibility while there. I have no complaints- my job is an honor and a joy- but it is enjoyable to attend a conference where I can worship through new songs with a musical style or approach that is unfamiliar, without thinking about the logistics of the service. Being away, among believers from all over often reminds me that I’m a child of God who has received immeasurable mercy, and his movement is much larger than my small brain comprehends or selfishly tries to compartmentalize.
Just as I’m able to worship God at Vintage21 while dealing with the responsibility of the role of leadership, it’s impossible at conferences not to think about the experience of worship, the methodology of the bands leading and not consider Vintage21 in light of it. During some songs I sit back and watch, listen, think and dream. Just like the teaching at conferences, the music is challenging on some levels and affirming on others.
What God has done with music at Vintage21 is unique and real. We have gone through phases of methodology, but thankfully our focus has always centered on glorifying Jesus. We’ve developed methodology not as a carbon copy of what other churches do or what the Christian music industry defines as “worship music”, nor have we defined ourselves in reaction to the shortcomings of christian culture. In addition, the musicians of V21 can be defined in one word: humble. They do not seek their own glory but that of Jesus Christ’s. I am honored and thankful to be at Vintage21 Church, and praise him for each musician.
But…
When I attend other conferences or churches, there is something illuminated at Vintage21: our reluctance to worship God with abandonment. Is it fear? Pride? Ignorance? Before you dismiss this accusation with the thought, “It’s just the way I worship – don’t judge me”, go with me for a moment. Consider whether or not there is pride, fear, or unconfessed sin. Ask yourself whether or not the revealed glory of Christ, the good news of the Cross, and the freedom, mercy and forgiveness compels you to respond in the way you do. Or, are you practicing worship first by what makes you comfortable, and second by what God is worthy of and/or calling you to?
I’m not calling for an awkward environment where non-believers are confused and unwelcome by our practices. But we should be challenged – I am challenged and convicted – and the result of prayer, repentance and humble seeking will not leave us in the same place.
This is an ongoing issue at Vintage21 Church among both the musicians and congregation, and will be a prominent topic next week as we prepare to worship together on Sunday, February 14th.
Know this, Vintage21: I love you deeply, and am driven not by a certain model or method, but a desire to see you free from sin, pride and fear. Praise God that He will draw us out of these.
Matt Stevens is the Worship Pastor for Vintage21 Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Contact him via Twitter: @MattStevensNC 
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Matt, every time you mention this topic, it makes me cringe. My reaction reveals to me that yes, indeed, it is sin, pride, and fear. I figure your words could bring three reactions 1) “Yes! Amen,” which would reveal my heart was already on board and already free in its worship, 2) “Ughhhh,” the reaction I have, or 3) “Yeah, whatever…” – a place I pray none of us find ourselves in. Thank you for continuing to challenge the congregation on this one, and personally for challenging me in an area that has plagued my freedom during corporate worship for as long as I have been following Jesus. I recall being in the kids church choir as young as 5th grade or so and DREADING doing the hand motions or expressing any type of excitement, even when every single other kid was doing them and singing with abandon. I’m glad to hear the conference is going well!
Paige,
I join you in that reaction. It actually saddened me to realize this is a long-standing issue at Vintage21, and the growth has been slow. Also sad to think of how I still struggle with this so much.
I think a lot of the answer is prayer, and it’s something that we don’t do until the moment we’re in fear or conflict. Should we ask God to free us from our inhibitions more often than that, how would he move? What if we petitioned Him, and believed he would move? I’m challenged by this idea.
Matt
Prior to coming to Vintage21 my family and I were part of a denomination that was very open to exuberant worship. It was a pentecostal church. We left because of changes in our theological perspective. Changes for the better, and of which V21 embodies.
However, I have not “let go” in worship like I did in the past while at V21. I remember being so overwhelmed at the glory of God during the musical worship portion of Sunday services that tears and praise and worship just flowed. Honestly, I truly feel the freedom and encouragement from leadership to worship with all the enthusiasm as before, however, deep within I am reluctant. I know this is something within that I must deal with; fear of man or something of the like. I don’t want to come across as though I am blaming others. Vintage21 gets it. At some point I will stop worrying about being seen.
I am grateful for the leadership of Pastor Matt and the musicians at Vintage21. Jesus is worthy.
It is so incredibly refreshing to hear that you think about this sort of thing…and to read a post in which you ask us to think and pray about worshiping without reserve. I mean, I was pretty sure it was something you thought of, bein’ a worship pastor and all. :)
As the worship at Vintage has changed since I’ve arrived, it’s been incredible to watch as you all seek to honor Jesus. Yet, during service, there are instances when I will leave my seat, and go to the back, because there is not enough room to freely worship at my seat, and I’m afraid that I will blast the person I am sitting closely behind with my volume. All of that to say, are we able, due to our size, to create an environment that greatly encourages folks to enter in to musical worship of our Father? I do not know.
That being said, I definitely do not want an environment that would be overly strong, filled with practices that would cause great concern with unbelievers. And prayer, and repentance, about adoration between just us and Jesus (what I call musical worship), should not leave us the same.
I’m praying for us. For me.
I’m so thankful for each of you.
Maybe you should come up here and see what it’s like. When I was down there the two times last summer, I felt the opposite- it was free and people were enthusiastic. Maybe not on a southern scale, but from where I come from, you guys were passionate in your worship.
I liked how the lights were dim. The church I went to for a while up here had bright fluorescents on and it really heightened the shyness. Even though there weren’t more than forty people on any given Sunday, you’d expect to hear some singing…
Being at V21 was a powerful experience, and I know you are right to expect more, but I think you’re doing alright.
Amaris said, “That being said, I definitely do not want an environment that would be overly strong, filled with practices that would cause great concern with unbelievers.”
…coming from a more charismatic environment, I agree.