Summer Madness (Tues) - The Songs We Sing

It was our last night at Summer Madness (JP is playing on Saturday night though!!!!!!) and I felt like this was our best night. Many of the campers had gone home but 2,000 young people have remained to do StreetReach - fantastic! The crowd were really up for loud and lively worship and seemed to love a mix of old and new JP songs as well as others. We had a set already pre-planned but throughout the evening it got changed quite a few times and when we eventually decided on it we completely changed it once we started playing. I think it's good to have this flexibility as a band which is why it's really good to devote time to rehearsing even when you don't have a gig coming up. The more songs you have up your sleeves the better.

On Monday night we introduced the song 'Troubles'. This is an important song for us which has and no doubt will continue to evoke a variety of reactions. For years people on this island have committed themselves to being peacemakers through prayer and action and over recent months we have seen God moving in the political developments that have taken place. This is not to say that the Troubles are completely over, however, songs like this are important because they recognise that God is moving and that reconciliation and healing are happening. It is also important that we take a prophetic view with our songs and that somehow we are calling this stuff into being. I hope that this song will challenge and prepare people. I hope that it will raise issues in people regarding hurt, loss, prejudice, biggotry, anger and bitterness so that this stuff can be broken allowing room for us to be filled up with love, peace, gentleness and kindness.

As worshippers we want to please God and be obedient to Him. Our job is not to please everyone because we just can't do it. I was in the company of some people this week who during worship made remarks such as: "He just doesn't do it for me!" (with reference to the band/worship leader). I was angry. This consumerist attitude is not acceptable. The expectations people have of worship leaders are unrealistic and selfish. It feels like some people are out there with their clip boards ready to assess and rate the worship. As worship leaders we must stay focussed on who we worship and why we worship. We cannot aim to please everyone but we will probably please some (in many cases the majority). Therefore we can't choose songs based on what we know will please people. Our songs should not leave us where we are but among other things, should challenge us, and maybe leave us feeling uncomfortable from time to time.