Preaching
If the Lord called in on earth, took a sermon in your church,
Would He jest from the pulpit, jovially prance and lurch?
Would He shout into the mike, paining parishioner’s ears,
Would He wear designer clothes, would He seek admiring stares?
No, of course our Lord wouldn’t, such belongs with showmanship,
With actors and comedians, not spiritual leadership.
Yes, such belongs on the stage where ego and pride are stroked,
But not in Holy worship lest God’s anger be provoked.
Any who impart Scripture should do so appropriately,
Treating it respectfully, behaving with dignity.
For they become God’s mouthpiece, when and wherever they preach,
Yes, they become ambassadors, who, with decorum, should teach.
All who speak with conviction, and who know the Scriptures well,
Need no artificial aids, or humour, that ego will swell.
It’s the work of the Spirit to convict the hearer’s heart,
It’s not for any preacher to employ some earthy art.
Whenever humour is used within worship or the church,
It detracts from the Holy, and reverence takes a lurch.
The same occurs with shouting, which one’s nerves and tension stirs,
And which the Spirit’s sweetness, and our Lord’s genteelness, blurs.
Christ wouldn’t bellow or shout; such isn’t good for one’s voice;
Speaking with quite dignity is a far more godly choice.
Besides, one can accent words in a much more fitting way,
One doesn’t need to bellow, and shouldn’t get carried-away.
Though humour is a blessing, it’s cursed where it’s wrongly used;
It’s best kept out of worship lest our worship be refused.
Wherever the Word of God has been imparted or taught,
The utmost care and reverence our Holy God has always sought.
By Lance Landall
Thoughtfully, Please
Dear church organist or pianist — I value my hearing,
Thus, playing rather softly will show me that you’re caring.
You’re meant to accompany — not compete with — the congregation,
Lest you assault their ears, displease God, provoke irritation.
Accompanying instruments should be chosen carefully,
And particularly so when dealing with the Holy;
A saxophone — as a case in point — may sound too sultry.
But whatever’s used shouldn’t clash with the voice, cause injury.
Singing should always come FIRST — it’s the WORDS, God wants to hear,
Thus, nothing should drown them out — they should be heard, firm and clear.
Instruments should simply aid, enhance unobtrusively,
Not clamour for attention, nor act somewhat exclusively.
And please don’t get carried away with your ability,
Lest eyes soon be drawn to you, depriving God of glory.
After all, you’re there to help shine the light on Him — Him alone,
For it’s His time, His territory, and where self we dethrone.
Even the congregation should exercise some restraint,
And with an appropriate volume themselves acquaint.
For it’s fervour, not loudness that registers with our Lord,
Plus, even with that which is good, one can go overboard.
Often mikes are used, or some other amplification,
That ups the sound of instruments — then the congregation.
Such isn’t always needed; can overpower unpleasantly,
Thus, one can struggle to hear their own voice — upsettingly.
When musicians or congregation put balance in jeopardy,
Quality and integrity soon become the casualty.
And reverence suffers too, hence the need to take great care,
For when we meet for worship, the angels our worship share.
By Lance Landall
