Friday, April 23, 2010

The tension between the familiar and the new

I found a note, written during a worship seminar: "the tension between the familiar and the new."

It's a theme that is discussed frequently as we plan worship (for youth, the lovers of all things new), who actually tend to prefer the familiar, who avoid change.

On the other hand, the musicians want to do what's new, to try new songs, to do old songs new ways.

In our role of leading worship, I remind the worship team that those who in the role of worshipper (ie, not leading) will best connect with God on a personal level when the songs are familiar – when they can be sung from the heart, when the words are known, the tune recognized, the song is known.  There is comfort and reassurance in that which we know.  There is uncertainty in that which is new.

We cannot worship a stranger.  God must be known to us as personally, as familiar as the songs we sing to praise Him.  We must know Him in order to be deeply comforted and reassured.  We must know Him in order to respond to Him.

The tension that's created between the familiar and the new is a healthy one.  We will grow stale if we sing the same song. The psalmist declares  in Psalm 40 "I will sing a new song."

Embrace the tension. Sing a new song!