Another post from a FB message I added my thoughts to. Speaking about the issue of older worship leaders who are being replaced by pastors in the pursuit of "youth"!

Wow… one of my current pet peeves.. Thanks for posting. I really liked the link that was posted as well.

As an… “Older” on again – off again leader I can tell you this is a real issue for the church today. The impact can be felt in a lot of ways and not just to the older worship leaders who are being passed by or turned away due to age either. There is a connectedness to a generation that is being lost in pursuit of the “youth at any cost” mindset in some churches.

As a father of 2 young adults and one teenager I understand the desire on a churches (or pastors) part to have someone at the mic that is closer in age than the younger crowd, but are we counting the cost to those who also want to be related too? And when did the idea of attracting youth trump the movement of the Holy Spirit?

I recently guested at a church that was in search of a permanent WL. The pastor did not say anything about seeking a younger WL but a lot of conversation was about relating to the youth and playing music a little louder and more assertive. I should have known there was an issue when the pastor (who was probably 10 years older than me) wanted the service louder! They eventually went with a young WL and the pastor told me they went with him even though he could not relate to the older crowd. Then… gulp, he asked if I might be interested in leading the classic service. Ouch!

I have two challenges with pastors or churches who seek out younger leaders.

1. How old is the pastor and are they ready to replace themselves to be relevant to a younger audience?
2. Is this what happens when a church or pastor looks at worship as the “candy to get them in door” rather than as an integral part of the larger movement of bringing people to a place where they can drop pretences and hang-ups and possibly live out a worshipful moment before being taught from the Word.

I am sure there is a history to why the churches are now calling everything worship, worship in song, worship in the message, worship in the offering and worship in the closing… but maybe it’s a little safer that way. No one gets to say one person’s contribution (the WL) is more important than another? And for the record… the most important thing happening in church on a Sunday morning is God’s Word being preached. He does not say “Worship songs will not return void”… He says His Word.. will not return void.

I think a church can miss the chance to have the worship portion of the service gird that message and bring all believers together.

And this is not to say people who want a certain style or temp or type of worship are all right either… it’s like we are family on a long car ride and we all have to figure out what station to listen to that will keep most of us happy.

Or, we can do what modern family’s do and everyone puts on their headphones with their Ipod and we all stop talking to one another till the trip ends.