From The Inside Out

Whenever the topic of training people for worship music is brought up, there's always a sense of two (almost seemingly opposing) camps, often labeled as Heart (internal, attitude, spiritual) and Art (external, act, technicalities, skills).

It is quite easy to see why a lot has to be written about Heart as opposed to Art since Art is what is more easily seen by natural eyes and celebrated (by which we get the root sense of musical "celebrities"). At times, too much focus and attention is given to it that there is an imbalance that needs to be addressed.

However, there is also a case where too little is spoken about the Art and the imbalance swings to the other extreme. When too little attention is given to the application of excellence in skill and other matters that are more technical in nature, situations may arise that adversely affect the flow in musical worship.

Jesus gave a vivid illustration once that, I believe, contains a principle that we can apply when considering what is of importance. He spoke of how the Pharisees "make clean the outside of the cup and the platter" but forget the inside. (Matt 23:25, Luke 11:39)

Just consider how you would normally clean a cup so that it will be fit for use. Would you not clean both the inside AND the outside? Jesus went on to say as much by indicating that "you ought to have done these, and not leave the other undone".

Therefore, it is probably best not to think of Heart and Art as "either one or the other", but really as a whole that needs to be well prepared for the master's use. Musical worship involves both the Heart and the Art. I would propose a tagline like "musical worship is the Heart (the attitude) pouring out through the Art (the act)".

With this, we can clearly see the priority of setting the Heart right first, for it is from the abundance of the Heart that brings forth what is within. (Luke 6:45, Matt 23:26) But then the Heart should also be coupled with the desire to offer the utmost (Art) for His Highest, to seek excellence in all skill and deed.

It is truly from the Inside Out.

(photo credit: shboom)