written by David Manner
The
urban dictionary defines a poser as
one who does not follow his/her own ideas but instead attempts to appear as or
mimic something he/she is not. It is also defined as someone who imitates or
conforms to the manner and dress of another.
Worship Leading Posers imitate the worship practices,
styles, presentations, and even attire of other artists or congregations
without considering their own gifts and calling or the calling and abilities of
their players, singers, and congregants.
An imitation can never exceed the quality or ability
of the imitated or it is no longer an imitation but instead a creation. An
imitation, therefore, will always be an inferior substitute for the original.
Is that really the best we have to offer? When an imitator has enough
creativity to surpass the imitated why would the imitator continue to imitate
instead of create? Insecurity…Faithlessness…Laziness?
If God trusts us with the position to which He has
called us, then imitating the position of another actually marginalizes that
calling. Worship posing borrows the credibility, creativity, and hard work from
another congregation or artist without considering God’s limitless creativity
also available to us.
Obviously, not all congregations are gifted with
musicians who have the ability to create original songs and therefore must
borrow the songs of others. The difference between borrowing songs and
borrowing credibility, however, is the time taken to interpret those songs
while giving consideration to the uniqueness of your own gifts and the context
of your own congregation instead of just attempting to imitate the originals.
Imitation is an attempt to lead worship and replicate
or mimic what someone else sees. Interpretation is an attempt to lead worship
and explicate or express what God has called you to see. Interpretation
embraces God’s limitless creativity available in your own context. It is much
harder and more time consuming than imitation but well worth the effort.
Dr. David W. Manner has served as Director of Worship and Administration for Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists since 2000. Before his current ministry position, David served for twenty years in music/worship ministry with congregations in Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma Baptist University; a Master of Church Music degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and a Doctor of Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies.
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