The Preference Problem
Society has taught many of us to avoid discussing two things: politics and religion. Even regular churchgoers know to avoid certain topics pertaining to worship–particularly music. When we happen to find ourselves discussing music, often we attempt to construct a defense for our favorite style of music. However, such a conversation often results in either one party being angry or both parties “agreeing to disagree”.
How do we address seeming dilemmas in our differing views of ecclesiology? The typical solution: preference. Most pastors and church members alike find joy in a “successful” church with a lot of members. Therefore it is easy to give people what we enjoy or else what we believe they would enjoy in a worship service. This has become an acceptable methodology when constructing a worship service. However, there is a fallacy in such an approach, namely, preference.
Typically, people do not see their preference as much of a problem. After all, are our own opinions not interesting, insightful, and preferable? However, methodology based on preference is often self-pleasing, self-preserving, and based upon the heart’s desires. Although this approach allows individuals to obtain that which they most desire (whether this be the pastor, song leader, or a layman), they are often antithetical to Scripture
Of course we understand all of this. After all, we know that “The heart is desperately deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can trust it?” (Jer. 17:9, ESV). Yet many of us do! There are numerous biblical teachings on why mankind cannot simply trust his preferences. The remainder of this essay will focus on two: depravity and spiritual immaturity.
Depravity: Our Hearts Cannot Be Trusted
Once upon a time, mankind was pure of heart and mind. However, the heart of man was easily swayed and depravity entered the scene. Only once did Satan offer Adam and Eve divine knowledge and they wanted to taste it. Their hearts could not be trusted.
Continually God’s chosen race abandoned Him in order to worship idols. Even after they were delivered from four centuries of enslavement they worshipped golden calves, bronze serpents, and even the gods of other nations (see Exod. 32:4, 2 Kgs. 18:4, and Lev. 20:3). They saw the heart of God through the workings of His hands. Still their hearts could not be trusted.
Even Jesus’ own disciples illustrate the simple point. They tried to tell parents to not bring their children to Jesus (see Mt. 19:13-14). They tried to thwart the plans of the Father (see Mt. 16:23 or Mk. 8:33). They slept while Jesus agonized over His Father’s wrath that was soon to come upon Him (see Mt. 26:40; Mk. 14:37; or Lk. 22:45). One of them even gave Him over to be killed for a payment that was equal to the price of a slave (see Mt. 26:15; Exod. 21:32). They walked side-by-side with God incarnate, but even so their hearts could not be trusted!
Mankind is absolutely incapable of doing the will of God without His enablement. Human volition and wisdom are not enough to enable or guide us to do that which is good, noble, and just. Human depravity is the basis for us not being able to trust our own tastes and desires solely in daily lives and in corporate worship. Therefore, worship services should not be constructed around the tastes and preference of those who are not yet redeemed. This having been said, the believer still understands that depravity does not simply disappear at conversion.
Spiritual Immaturity: “Wretched Men That We Are”
The Bible teaches that salvation makes us into new creatures (see 2 Cor. 5:17), yet we still struggle with spiritual immaturity. Many of the New Testament letters are written to churches and contain exhortations toward spiritual maturity. Although they had received Christ, and been taught the Scriptures by the apostles, they constantly struggled with immaturity.
For example, in 1 Corinthians 3, Paul writes of how he had taught the Corinthian church the elementary things of Scripture for they were not ready for the “meat” of the Word. Paul then chastises them for their lack of progress since his visit: They did not interact with one another as followers of Christ ought to; he even had to explain that idolaters, drunkards, and the sexually immoral would not inherit the Kingdom of God (see 1 Cor.6:9). Even through Paul’s extensive teaching, many of the members of the Corinthian church continued to be spiritually immature.
Even Paul struggled with growing in the faith. After a long discourse on his fallen human nature and spiritual immaturity, Paul writes, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom. 7:24, ESV). Paul knew what it meant to continually struggle in the faith. His own heart was deceitful, and he knew that his only hope was in Christ.
Scripture, as well as life experiences, clearly reveals that we are desperate for Christ. If we cannot trust our own hearts (and we cannot), then we should not order our local churches based upon what we prefer. This applies to all aspects of worship. Whether it be preaching, singing, or outreach ministries, we must continually understand that our hearts want to glorify self—not God.
On his blog, well-known pastor Tullian Tchividian explains how his church had succumbed to the temptation of creating multiple worship services in order to meet the musical tastes of those within his congregation [1]. Tullian writes, “You see, when we separate people according to something as trivial as musical preferences, we evidence a fundamental failure to comprehend the heart of the gospel. We’re not only feeding toxic tribalism; we’re also saying the gospel can’t successfully bring these two different groups together. It’s a declaration of doubt about the unifying power of God’s gospel. Generational appeal in worship is an admission that the gospel is powerless to join together what man has separated” [2].
Such separation within the local church is typically seen as a means of church growth, however it is likened more to a type of segregation. Pastor Tullian explains, “Building the church on stylistic preferences or age appeal (whether old or young) is just as contrary to the reconciling effect of the gospel as building it on class, race, or gender distinctions” [3]. His words seem rigid, and possibly untrue, but an honest examination will reveal that his assertions are correct.
The question should never be, “Do our people prefer Stamps Baxter, Chris Tomlin, Fanny Crosby, or Martin Luther?” The question that must be asked is, “What does God require?” This does not mean that believers simply ask what Scripture lawfully allows in our worship. It means that the local body of Christ seeks to find the most ideal, beautiful, and appropriate way the worship the Almighty. Wisdom comes when everything within the body is rooted deeply in Scriptural reasoning because the Scriptures can be trusted even when our hearts fail us. When ecclesial decisions are based ultimately upon preference, it is as if we have taken a case to a court where we act as both judge and jury.
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Heb. 13:28-29 ESV
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[1] William Graham Tullian Tchividian is a grandson of Billy Graham, and Senior Pastor at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
[2] http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2010/08/22/we-are-one/ ; accessed on 28 August 2010
[3] Ibid.
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For Further Reading:
Marva J. Dawn, Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for Turn-of-the-Century Culture
T. David Gordon, Why Johnny Can’t Sing Hymns: How Pop Culture Rewrote the Hymnal
Phillip Graham Ryken, ed. Give Praise to God: A Vision for Reforming Worship
April 15, 2011
I would just like to thank the author for this article. It is certainly the most biblical article relating to worship through music that I have ever read. Generally, writings or posts on this topic are extremely biased towards the “contemporary style” or the “traditional style” and are charged with the author’s own opinion. I’ve seen and heard many people follow and defend their preferences as though their words were the very words of God. This article has shed light on the subject in a manner I had never considered. Thank you. May God bless you and your work. [originally submitted on 10 December 2010]