Fall Break is here, and that means I have the time to actually think because my mind is not solely dedicated to absorbing academic accolades. Let's be honest, if I'm getting an accolade for something, I highly doubt it has anything to do with academics. When I put my mind in Free Range mode, weird things pop in there. Such as the fact that Joyce Meyer would be really good at playing the Joker someday. Seriously, look at this:
I would support Joyce in her movie career (but only if she invites Billy Graham to play The Penguin.)
I tend to also get off topic.
Anyway, another thing that came to my mind was the places in which we choose to worship. I have a my home church that I attend whenever I am on break. I have a church at which I work and worship when I am at school. I've had churches that I attended over the summer. All of these places are near and dear to my heart. All these places have this one weird detail in common: The sanctuaries are well-lit.
In worship debates, the subject is most often the music. That is a fight that I don't really get into because I can worship to Hillsong and hymnals all the same. Maybe I'm the only person who pays attention to these details, but I think it's important for churches to think about all aspects of their worship services.
DISCLAIMER: The following words and sentences are the opinion of Caleb Clark Gibbs. I am not saying that my preferences are holier than yours. I am not saying that churches that operate in different ways are bad or wrong. Don't yell at me. Jesus loves you.
I really hate to worship in the dark. For me, it ruins a church service:
-the room feels colder
-I can't read my Bible as well (some people still carry around paper copies, ya know?)
-I can't see the people around me very clearly.
-People won't be able to appreciate my outfit when it's on point.
-I feel like I'm at a concert (I'm probably going to get yelled at for this one.)
1) When a worship setting is filled with light, everyone tends to be a bit more smiley (personal opinion and experience.) I love the moments when the worship band is playing some happy music and everybody is greeting each other and smiling. For me, that is my favorite part of any service. I love it. When the room is dark, it just feels less happy.
2) I wear glasses and I'm colorblind. Even with those aspects, it's still decently easy for me to read in low light. However, some older members of the congregation may not be as fortunate. Lots of people choose to use an app for their Biblical musings, but some people (including myself) still prefer carrying around our Bible. Darkness tends to make reading difficult, so please be considerate of those who make that choice.
3) I love people. I am a people-person. If I am in a dark room that only has lights on the stage, it becomes more difficult to find people. How am I supposed to run across the room and hug my favorite church-goes during the Welcome if I can't find them? A huge aspect of going to church is the community. Don't take that out of the worship service.
4) I am a jeans and a T-shirt kind of person, but every once in a while, I like to dress up and go hunting for compliments. Honesty is a virtue. If one of these days happens to fall on a Sunday, I want lots of light to shine on me, so that the people can notice the subtle details that really complete my look.
5) Please, don't think that I am belittling all worship settings that choose darkness. I am not saying that this is a bad thing. Personally, worship services in low light feel more like a concert to me. By no means, am I saying that concert setting abolish the Holy Spirit from working (ask me about NYWC sometime. For King & Country and Bob Goff. Life changing.) I don't like that setting for when I am worshiping with friends and family every week. I love concerts, but I don't want one every Sunday morning.
I don't go to a church because of the pastors.
I don't go to a church because of the music.
I go to a church where I feel warm, welcomed, and worshipful.
Think about the different aspects of a worship service, even the ones that people don't often talk about. Is the environment helping or hindering? Should you change it? What are the pros and cons? Have a discussion. Laugh. Love. Live. 1 John 1:6.
Forever wishing he attended Hogwarts,
Caleb Gibbs
Caleb, I want to offer a counterargument to your blogpost, but please know that I aim to be intellectually hospitable in my response. I agree that there are many great sanctuaries that are well-lit, but I also enjoy worshiping in the sanctuaries that have a darker setting.
ReplyDeleteYou said in your post that you don't want to take part in the "music debate" of church because you can worship to both Hillsong and hymns. I feel this way about different sanctuaries - The environment doesn't matter much because it's not the reason we are there. Let me explain:
I feel that there are different parts of a worship service, and all of it is considered worship. Before the music begins, there is usually a time set apart for the congregation to greet each other and "compliment outfits", like you said. This time, and also the time before the service, is the community aspect of church.
Next is the music. I believe that this part of the service should be darker. I find freedom in dark sanctuaries. I can worship God freely without anyone watching and with little distraction. It helps me to remember the reason why I am in church. This is my time to worship my King, and I don't want anything to get in the way of that. Some may argue that this kind of setting is similar to a "concert setting", and I agree that some churches may have that feel. But I also believe it is up to me, a member of the church congregation, to look past the worship band. They are there to lead me into worship, and I will do my part in meeting with God by making the decision to worship.
Usually after the music, the pastor will prepare to give his or her sermon. The lighting changes in this portion of the service to a brighter setting, so the congregation can follow along in their Bibles if they decide to do so.
This is my opinion. I believe some aspects of worship need a large amount of lighting, but the music portion of worship is more beneficial in a dark setting.
Thanks for your feedback, Aubrey! I always love hearing what you have to say, and you make a lot of great points!
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