Being Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze vs. Jesus Daze

Comments 9

1. I agree with the post. As a pastor, I don’t think anyone wants me up there praying to myself and talking just as I would in everyday conversation. There is a performance aspect because people have given up their time to take in what I say. Is it about me, yes and no. It is not about me in that my goal is to point people to Jesus and be biblically accurate in whatever biblical text I am speaking from. But it also is about me because I need to be prepared, speak clearly, articulately, humorous, etc. I have to publicaly speak and that is about me. I have to keep their attention. Worship leaders many times get off the hook on this and this post holds them to a standard. The “take me as I am and whatever I do on stage is not for people” is a excuse. Pastors don’t get this luxury and neither should the worship leaders. I respect worship leaders and their function is just as important as the senior pastor preaching, I just want to point out the double standard that is very prevalent today.

   1. Thanks for the great feedback, Eric! Love your point about the double standard. Since worship leaders are as “visible” up front as a pastor, I agree with the importance of being there to glorify God and be a servant—it’s not a time of “me” or “my” worship.

2. While I agree worship leaders should not draw attention to themselves in sobbing or shaking because of “the spirit”, I disagree with pretty much everything else in this post. I find that you are telling us we shouldn’t be acting like Jimmy Hendrix on the stage (which I’ve never seen a worship leader do) then later on saying we shouldn’t be leading people in worship in how the spirit of God may be moving during that specific occasion. Some are gifted in music. Some choose to use it for the Kingdom and some don’t. People who are passionate about what they do in music in a church atmosphere choose to glorify God with their gifting and I should hope would show it. Personally when I am in worship at a church service or a prayer service my focus isn’t on what may be going on with the people on the stage, unless is something completely obnoxious and distracting. The scripture clearly defines how God want us to worship Him with song and praise and If someone’s eyes being closed while they are leading worship is a distraction or uncomfortable to you then there is a far more serious situation going on that is keeping you connected with Jesus Christ in your worship time. When I was young I used to walk into services nip picking at musical talent and maybe even song choice but the Holy Spirit put me in my place after I basically started coming into church as critic instead of a worshipper. The fact of the matter is, it isn’t about me or even the chap leading us. It’s about the one who is greater within me and what He has done for me. If I can lift my hands for my Seahawks that same Sunday, I sure as heaven will be lifting my hands to Jesus Christ who died for me.

   1. This is tricky, i spent a lot of time today going over if i should reply or not. replies seem so argumentative and only cause to instigate things. and i knew that i was hopped up on defending Pastors Wife so my response might be lousy with emotion. so i took some time to really go over it. i used to be very zealous. my self-proclaimed apologetics were off the charts. i would find scriptures to strengthen my arguments and points of view, the more obscure the better, sometimes omitting verses or dramatic emphasis, i don’t do that anymore. or have that zeal in me. i’m not out so save souls or fill a commission. just to work on myself – so i think the issue that caught me right off the bat is the statement of the bible clearly stating how to worship. actually i have issues with people thinking the bible clearly states anything. that anyone can read a scripture and says ‘this is what it means’ because i think the bible is way more complex than that. but this is probably a topic for another time. but to say specifically it clearly defines how to worship seems a stretch. we have to remember that there are denominations out there that refuse to use instruments in their worship because of what the scriptures say very clearly to them. some dance because david danced – but some that dont dance because of what paul warned about containing our worship and not looking crazy to outsiders. im not a type of guy at all to say the bible is full of contradictions because i dont believe it is – but i dont see it clearly stating one way or the other.

      i have to say i have a bit of a soft spot for what pastors wife is saying because maybe you havent seen those jimi hendrix worship leaders but ive honestly seen more than i can count. i am the first to admit i carry with me a great burden of skepticism and bitterness and a sourness that maybe made me see jimi hendrix when the worship leader was really just lost in the moment. but having been in the congregation, the schools the churches etc. and also knowing worship leaders and some of them behind the scenes and how they very much do go up there for the praise. living for people to come up to them afterwards and throughout the day with praise on how well they sang and led and how moved they were. of course this isnt a blanket statement – but then again i dont see pastors wife as making a blanket statement either, just thoughts and opinion. but i definitely have seen it. and i know it distracts me, well distracted me since i have left the church years ago, although maybe i am just easily distracted. when they go full dave matthews with their closed eyes and head bobs and swaying back and forth and that emotional dramatic whisper – i laugh. i nit pick. of course the fault is in me – i cant blame them besides the fact that i am distracted by them.

      pastors wife has a great point though that worship can be done anywhere and doing anything. there is a great line in Chariots of Fire when he says he loves God but God also made him fast and when he runs he feels God’s glory – although i admit that theory isnt clearly stated in the bible. i think the closest would be when paul says whether you are eating or drinking and in all we do do worship. me personally i can worship in many places, usually not church though. running on a hot day with a sweatshirt on hood up headphones blasting Beethoven – i dont hardly think of Jesus specifically in that moment but when i am running and breaking through tiredness to keep going and im running fast i feel a glory. to me that has to be worship. removed from the body just running. breathing. but you give me a worship song and i feel next to nothing. the lights dark, hands up. i cant get into it. but then again i dont ever read prayers out loud, i dont pray outloud. i dont take communion in strange places. mostly it seems like if im distracted i withdraw.

      i think its important to remember that pastors wife is talking about the people leading worship though, not people receiving worship (i know that doesnt sound right, but for lack of a better phrase) – leadership in church kind of sucks in ways because you can’t really get the most out of services. a preacher cant get the most out of their prayers and message, and worship leaders cant get a full measure of worship because they have to worry about songs and notes and chords and lyrics….and worry about people like me nit picking them cause i am too distracted to worship.

      in one of her replys pastors wife brings up a great point of worship in everything. it reminds me of one of my favorite parts of the short stories Franny and Zooey by JD Salinger when the character keeps muttering a prayer over and over again. over and over. and asked why she says how she heard of a philosophy where you pray constantly until it becomes and constant and natural and breathing. praying automatically with ever breath. i always wished i could obtain that. i dont even know if its possible outside of literature but its a great concept. but im not sure what that has to do with what i was saying. except maybe that just about everything if the heart is correct, can be done and used to worship God. but there is something said to taking the role of leadership serious to the extent of making sure to not distract others and to do your job to the best of your abilities – even the abilities required of a leader besides musical talent.

      i guess in closing i would just maybe say that of course we need to stand firm behind our arguments and point of view and that this website is made just for that kind of back and forth, but care i guess should be taken to try and rid ourselves of agenda and personal feelings in our responses because it can come across as the motives behind the post. i guess the best example of this is that you say ‘this isnt about me’ and that its about glory to God and how Jesus died for you – but in the post you mention variations of me, myself, i etc, almost 20 times. and God, Jesus, Spirit etc maybe only 10. granted that probably doesnt hold a candle to how many times i say me myself and i in this. but i dont claim to not be all about me. sadly one of the many things hindering any sort for next level spiritual growth is that my life is about me. i am my most important person in my life. but i will continue to work on this of course. right now i’ll stick to running. worship in all things.

      1. Hi Josh!

         Many thanks for taking the time to express your thoughts. Really appreciate them and your understanding. Enjoyed your relating them to literature.

         Have fun running and a very merry Christmas to you and your family!

   2. Hi David,

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I was referring to the worship leader, not a worshipper. Actually, what distracts me is the same things you agreed to—”the sobbing or shaking because of ‘the spirit.” The Jim Hendrix reference was just meant to be tongue-in-cheek.

      Having worked with church planting, particularly in Europe, there were so many different traditions joining together in praise that we needed to be sensitive to everyone. We had people from twenty-seven countries represented in one congregation.

      It was an important lesson in cultural understanding. For example, the British were very uncomfortable with the American way of holding hands across the pews. Some members weren’t comfortable with raising hands, speaking in tongues, and so forth. Americans were generally seen as being domineering, loud, and wanting their own way. Ministry had to be intentional to ensure that all felt welcome. That’s why it was important for the worship leaders to have that same understanding. We learned that it was important to distinguish between tradition/church culture, and what edifies the church and exalts Jesus, not ourselves. 1 Corinthians 14 was one of the Scripture chapters we worked through.

      Wishing you a very blessed Christmas!

3. Hey Eric!!

   Lol! No, I’m not going to close my eyes, but that’s not to say that I sometimes don’t close my eyes. And when I do…the difference is that I’m not the worship leader! But I also don’t like it when the worship leader says, “Now, close your eyes, and feel the Spirit…feel Jesus’ presence, yes, can you feel it…draw close, Jesus…experience the…” Makes me feel like I’m in some New Age arena, ready to become one with the universe.

   And, yes, that’s just me, okay “I!”

   The two articles I listed are very helpful in explaining the benefits of leading with your eyes open—it’s not about performance. Although, why wouldn’t we want to “perform” (do) our best for God? He’s the only Audience that matters. Everything we do is for him, yes? Also, preaching is a part of worship and you, as a pastor, keep your eyes open when you do that.

   For me, worship is not just during a secluded, structured hour—it’s every day, in every thing we do. Obviously, we’re fallen and not going to reflect God’s perfect love and grace each moment, but, for me, it’s what it means to be alive in Christ, connecting and interacting with others. So I do like to keep my eyes open.

   Of course you know I was going to do this! I want to give you a bad time about “judging” people who lead worship with their eyes open and who make eye contact with the congregation. What makes you presume that they’re not focused on worshipping God and are focusing only on themselves?

   I think maybe you’re being too harsh on yourself. But if closing your eyes and leading in worship is what makes it work not for you, but for your congregation—go for it!

4. You seemed to have missed the point. The focus is on Jesus. Is it possible that you are conveying more concern about your inadequacies as a worship leader? I don’t think this is what you intended, but it’s the impression you give.

5. I usually lead worship with my eyes close.

   To be honest I really suck as a performer! When I look out into the congregation I tend to be more focused on me then I am them. I’m a lot more aware when I’m off pitch. I am more aware of my guitar playing & more likely to hit the wrong chord. I more aware of every little mistake. So, I close my eyes.

   Closing my eyes helps me put my focus where it needs to be: on Jesus, not the congregation. With my focus on Him I am worshiping. With my focus on the congregation I’m performing.

   With my eyes closed & my focus on Christ both my guitar playing & voice is better. I’m more relaxed. I’m less inhibited. I’m more authentic. I’m more open to expressing myself, saying truly what’s on my heart.

   My goal is always to lead people in a real, authentic worship experience, and I can’t do that if I’m performing for them. I have to be worshiping God, myself.

   Think about it: I can’t lead to you to Atlanta unless I’m going there myself.

   Just so you know I don’t care if you like my worship or not. Read 2 Samuel 6:16-22 for my scripture reference.

   If you’re looking for a good performance you’re not going to find one with me leading worship. I’m not there to entertain you. I’m there to worship Jesus. That’s the only thing that matters. All I’m trying to do is lead you to the same place where I’m going. Maybe instead of looking to see if my eyes are open or not, maybe you should close yours & join me? 😉

   If it’s Christian entertainment that you want then go to a concert to see the latest band that K-Love’s crapped out. Most of those people perform with their eyes open because they want to know that you’re looking at them.

   Personally, I would rather worship with someone who’s eyes are on God, not the congregation.

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