Blended Worship Works… Sometimes.
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Fri, March 13, 2009
- Viewed 82
- (26) comments so far
Here’s what stood out to me:
1. A very traditional building… pews, crosses, etc.
2. An inter-racial congregation (although it appears to be about 80/20 white/african american
3. An african american worship leader
4. A large choir, all in white robes
5. A large praise team, all dressed in black; men in suit coats and ties
6. A flashy choir director who’s free to move his body (dance) a little.
7. A full orchestra, but with a jammin’ rhythm and brass section
8. Older people, both in the choir and on the worship team, smiling
9. A church that is highly invested in technology.
Rarely is a church able to pull things off like this. And what they do here would probably not work in any other church.
Some might look at this church as being stuck in her ways (suits and ties, orchestra, choir and robes). Others will look at this video and think that there must be some mature believers there that will allow both old and new; contemporary and traditional; worshiping God is a very local-church-specific way.
I don’t have any idea of the Hickory Grove story. Maybe there were a lot of people who died on hills for them to get to this point. But I do always enjoy it when I find a church that worships in a way that is unique to them, and a way that connects their people to God. From this short video, that’s what it appears this church is doing.
And, I think that has to make our Heavenly Father smile.
Your thoughts?
There is so much I find interesting in this video from Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. It is their version is "God is Good all the Time" (which I think is a great song, and... a hard song to pull off well). Here's some of the things that I stood out to me. Watch it... then be sure to click to read me comments. See if you agree:
Comments
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Don on Fri, March 13, 2009
Good stuff. I especially love how the guitar and bass player are rocking out, finally fulfilling their dreams of 80’s hair band success…they are a lot of fun to watch.
wendi on Fri, March 13, 2009
I guess it’s all in your perspective….
1) I see people using whoever wants to use their gifts and talents for the Lord worshiping Him
2) I see people putting effort forward to “dress up” a little considering the One they’re worshiping - shorts would be ok with them too I think
3) I see a pretty full worship space - they must have something going on there
4) I see them using what they have been entrusted with - like a great space for worship. How many of us have been praying for an upgrade?
5) I see multi generations and multi-ethnic mix. Depending on the community this is good or great.
6) I see people on the platform and in the congregation smiling! They’ve got something we all need.
7) I don’t see a platform full of only slicked down 20-somethings or all boomers, but rather using different generations to reach out. I mean take a look at the harpist. Even they are rocking out!
8) I see people singing what they believe.
9) Yea, I’d come back from what I see and hear. Considering they’re Baptist, WOW! TYJ!
10) I’ll betcha they don’t care what the church down the street is doing either - as long as souls are being saved! It ain’t a competition, and from what I see, they understand that.
11) Obviously, they believe in doing your best (from the quality of sound) with what you have.
I just hope they have decent coffee and a fresh bagel…lol
wendi on Fri, March 13, 2009
http://www.hgbc.org
dont you just love the internet?
Bill Edwards on Fri, March 13, 2009
It reminds me of Thomas Road…Very contemporary feel, but traditional in look.
Mike on Fri, March 13, 2009
I have visited both this site and their North Campus which is more contemporary. It’s a great church and God is definitely blessing their efforts. We all need to remember that it takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people. There is no one right “style” to worship.
We must know our communities and the people we are called to reach. Thanks for sharing
Alan Jones on Fri, March 13, 2009
Looks like a traditional church doing doing “traditional worship” service well. Takes all types. I would echo above: if it is reaching people far from God then more power to em.
Adam on Fri, March 13, 2009
My parents are members at Hickory Grove and I have visited the church with them a few times. They do an amazing job of blended worship, and teaching God’s word.
Dr. Joe Brown is their pastor and is an amazing leader and preacher. I am not familiar with the whole story, but I do know that Dr. Brown has been at Hickory Grove since the 80’s.
Lori on Fri, March 13, 2009
I think they did an excellent job here. I wish all churches “blended” as well as this church. I remember a number of years ago visiting a church and they did “God of Wonders” with full choir and orchestration and lets just say the song will never be the same again.
I loved the lead and bass guitar players - jamming in ties. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Jan on Fri, March 13, 2009
I saw all the things above.
I love the inter-racial aspect and the instrumentals were great.
I just wish I’d heard a bit more vocal energy. Some were really into it and others looked bored. Tons of talent which I think they could do more with.
Sorry I’m a director and a singer!
I do think those who say choir is out are flat our wrong. And I’ve seen gospel choir, inter-racially too, done exceptionally well and the church was energized by it.
I think some of these folks are trying but they look uncomfortable.
Bobby on Fri, March 13, 2009
As a worship leader, I think Mike says it best…we must allow our churches to reach the communities to which they serve. We don’t “do” church in a particular way to attract the kind of people we want ot surround ourselves with. We “do” church for God…He is the audience.
What the camera fails to show here is more of how the congregation is responding to this. My worship team does some great things, but there are still those that sit with frowns, crossed arms, and silent lips (but they don’t change that response when I use old, new, or in between).
But congrats to Hickory Grove…great stuff on all the points mentioned by the author of this entry. Glory to God.
Chris Surratt on Fri, March 13, 2009
It looks like they’re doing a great job. Love seeing the multi-generational/multi-cultural thing happening in a more traditional looking church. I guess “blended” can work?!?
That’s why we have to be careful before we write off something that God may be blessing somewhere else.
Greg Smith on Fri, March 13, 2009
That’s blended? Looks pretty 1980’s to me… Bring in a processional, full liturgy, lectionary readings and a smoking hot band… and that’s blended. :o)
Okay… enough commercial… however, I don’t see anything contemporary about this video. Very old songs done very traditionally. To be blended, for me, I’d have to see a bit more ancient mixed with contemporary.
Praise God for what they’re doing… the style just looks dated to me.
Will Clegg on Sat, March 14, 2009
I see performance and wonder if the seats would be filled if the production wasn’t as dynamic and professional? I wonder if Jesus thinks it is all that great that so much money is spent on high tech and paid, professional musicians?
Russell Mckinney on Sat, March 14, 2009
Greg, you’ve got to remember that “dated” to one person might be cutting edge to another. Hickory Grove is a classic Southern Baptist Convention church located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Contemporary things must be gradually brought into such a church. If you try to go full bore with the hot new music and ideas, you’ll scare the folks to death. I know because my background is in Convention churches. Of course, I never served as the pastor of any church remotely the size of Hickory Grove, but Southern Baptists are Southern Baptists whether they sit in mega-churches or churches where ushers can stand in the back and count the attendance. Yes, compared to some of today’s churches, the worship service might seem like 1985. But to a conservative, S.B.C. church like Hickory Grove, they are living on the edge. Sure, they may always run twenty years behind the trailblazers, but that puts them forty years ahead of many churches. I give them credit for that.
Greg Smith on Sat, March 14, 2009
Russell,
If that’s the style they like… I don’t take anything from it. But to say that it’s “contemporary”… or even an example of a “blended” worship service… is lacking some experience in blended OR contemporary worship. Having been a worship pastor in the SBC and now as an Anglican Priest… I can say that this is neither contemporary NOR blended. Labels are useful… provided they’re accurate. If you want blended then look to the Anglican Mission in America where the liturgy is from the 1500’s and the music is from Third Day…
Again… I’m not knocking they’re style preference. I’m challenging the label.
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