WORSHIP WEEK: Why Is It So Loud & Why Do We Keep Repeating Ourselves - A Pastor's Perspective

This week is all about worship!  Throughout the week I will be posting both my answers to a series of questions as well as those of three other bloggers.

If you missed parts I & II, you can check them out at the link below.

Why Can't We Get Along? - Why is Worship So Divisive by Sean Chandler
Where's the Piper Organ, and Why is There an Electric Guitar?!? - What is the Proper Style for Worship by Sean Chandler


How Should a Worship Director Select & Arrange Their Set Lists?

I personally prefer to try and not speak dogmatically about things where scripture gives no specifics.  There's no chapter in the Bible that gives a correct template for a worship service. There are no instructions on song selection. We simply know we're to worship in "Spirit and in truth."  Ironically, so many worship songs today do a pretty bad job with the "truth" part.

Everything I’m about to write is really just my opinion, but I think it's a pretty good opinion.

I personally like for songs to be selected based on supporting the central message of the sermon.  Music has a powerful ability to stir emotions, and our minds.  The majority of Christians have far more worship songs memorized than verses.  By crafting worship sets that affirm the central message of the sermon or the text taught, you create a powerful one-two punch.

Generally speaking, I also believe set lists should balance between songs which are about God, and songs which are song to God.  A set that is filled with songs that only speak about God eventually feels like we're talking about someone without acknowledging they're in the room. On the flip side, a set all about our response to God comes off anthropocentric (man centered).  A combination of the two creates a scenario where we proclaim the "truth" of who God is, and respond appropriately.  

I'm a fan of hymns done in modern styles.  While I love discovering new worship, I'm not a fan of worship leaders ignoring songs after their 2nd birthday.  Understandably, some songs age very badly ("Lord I Lift Your Name on High"), but other songs are thrown out simply because they're not brand new.  

Finally, I really don't understand why so many worship leaders are obsessed with over-the-top repetition.  That's not true. I have my theory.  I suspect far too many worship leaders take their cues directly from live worship albums.  Hillsong recorded an 8 minute version of "Mighty to Save," therefore, that must be the best way to do it.  Well there's a big difference between being at a conference with 10,000 people for a live recording, and your average Sunday morning.  People take techniques used for big events and translate them to small events. It's weird.

What is the Proper Volume for a Church Service?

This is the big, divisive question.  This is the issue we get the most complaints about.  This is the question that has driven countless churches to monstrosities known as electronic drums. This is the question where there is no answer to make everyone happy.

As someone who has played in multiple punk and ska bands back in the day, I like music loud.  As a sound man, dynamic full band music doesn't work below 85 to 90 decibels.  Below 85 decibels, sound frequencies are highly uneven.  Bass in particular doesn't have the proper filling effect. When you run music too soft, you kill the dynamics.  

This leads to the tension. If you run the music soft enough that no one will complain, you will also be running music so bland that it will excite no one...like I said, this is with a full band playing dynamic songs.  

Further complicating the issue is vocabulary.  The average person in the congregation has a very limited vocabulary when describing the mix on a given Sunday.  Really, there are only three words: loud, soft, and good.  "The band is too loud." "The guitar is too soft."  "It sounds good."  While that's the language people use, the issue is far more complicated.  While we talk using simply volume language, in reality there are four big factors in play:  volume, compression, EQ, and effects.  In short, often the issue isn't volume. Often the issue is a volunteer soundman who doesn't know how to properly control compression, EQ, and/or effects.  Therefore, the music isn't actually all that loud, but it is painful to listen to.  

Consider the sound of an overly powerful cymbal.  It's shrill in your ears, and causes painful vibrations.  But, really, any instrument poorly mixed and EQ'd can cause this same effect.  Or, consider bass guitar or kick with excessive amounts of low end. They can cause you to literally feel the bass.  I personally love that feeling, but others hate it.  

In conclusion, I think the volume should match the style of music, and the leadership of the church needs to decide what they believe is the proper volume.  They should be sensitive to those who don't enjoy loud music without allowing the loudest complainer to steer the ship.  Likewise, many complaints about the volume are actually caused by untrained soundmen (or bad equipment). Therefore, churches should probably spend more time finding a way to train their volunteers.