The music worship wars lasted thirty years. To be sure, they are still taking place in some churches, but the full effects of these battles waned several years ago. They left in their wake disgruntled members, lost focus, and numerous church splits.
After hearing from a number of pastors and church leaders on this issue, I contacted Bobby Taylor of All Pro Sound in Pensacola. Bobby’s company had worked with many churches with which I have familiarity, and church leaders spoke highly of their work in audio, video, and lighting solutions. My initial questions focused on how churches can find a lighting solution that is not divisive.
Like me, Bobby knew that some church leaders and members prefer well-lit worship services, while others prefer a more subdued and darkened facility. After speaking with him and then speaking to numerous church leaders again on this topic, my fears seem to be founded. Many churches are having internal disagreements over lighting. In some churches it has become contentious.
Like worship styles and music, it is difficult to find a “right” solution. And the number of contacts I have received on these issues tells me we are in the early stages of a new worship war. Here are my five thoughts for now:
- The divide is often generational. Boomers and Builders in general like the worship services with abundant lighting. Gen Xers and Millennials prefer minimal lighting as a sense of reverence.
- The typical time when the younger generations prefer “lights down” is during the sermon. In this sense, the lighting issue is both theological and practical. The subdued lighting engenders greater focus on the preached Word. It makes a biblical statement about the importance of the sermon, and it is practical because it minimizes distractions.
- Compromises are not effective in most churches. Where this issue is contentious, mid-level lighting is about as effective as a blended worship style. There is enough to offer to make just about everyone unhappy.
- Migration is the most common form of expressing displeasure. Those church members who have real problems with lighting are not starting new churches like many did during the music worship wars. They are simply migrating to other churches.
- These battles will not be as prolonged as the worship wars over music and worship style. The response of migration will mitigate most of the intense disagreements. And the older generations, Boomers and Builders, are getting fewer in number. Over 6,000 of us die every day. There are not many of us left for battle.
As sound and lighting technology has evolved, we now have many more sophisticated options for our worship services. On the one hand, those multiple options are helpful for us to choose what is best for our congregations. On the other hand, more choices can lead to disagreements, even contentious battles.
The essence of the music worship wars was a focus on ourselves and personal preferences instead of God and others. I pray we church members will not be as self-absorbed with worship lighting. True worship has no sense of entitlement.
This article was originally published at ThomRainer.com on Oct. 12, 2015. Thom S. Rainer serves as president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and seven grandchildren. Dr. Rainer can be found on Twitter @ThomRainer and at facebook.com/Thom.S.Rainer.
Can’t we all (Christians) just get along?
Seems as though church people are looking for reasons to split….
From a lighting designer:
Interesting article. It sounds like they are talking about “non-seeker” churches. I say this only because seeker friendly churches embrace concert lighting and environments.
It really boils down to the leadership and vision of the church. The questions are….
-“What are we trying to achieve?” Are we going for dynamics through out our services, or do we want to maintain the look and feel throughout?
– “What’s our music style, and does the lighting enhance and highlight and not distract?”
-“What’s the vision of the pastors and staff?” Does more creative lighting fall inline with the vision of the church?”
Once those questions are answered, then we will know where to stand.
Let’s says that we do want dynamic lighting! I’m all for it, as many can imagine. I think it can play a huge role in highlighting and ushering people into a intimate worship setting, limiting distractions and invoking emotion.
So what happens when members gets upset? This is when it falls back on the vision of the pastors and staff. If it is supported by the Pastors and Staff, maybe that particular service or church doesn’t speak to where you are in your walk, and you need to find a ministry that does. It’s really should be as simple as that.
All this to say, there are lot of gray areas with this issue that I have dealt with in my own time in full time ministry. It really comes down to balance.
I have to disagree with the article saying most people want it darker during the message. I understood it as they were comparing to light levels during worship? If this is the case I will disagree. I think it needs to be bright enough to take notes, but needs to be balanced with the stage lighting. The front light on the pastor needs to be brighter in order for the eye to be drawn and focused on the speaker (IMAG helps with this, but that’s another article).
As a technician or designer you have to work closely with your leadership to do whats right, but we shouldn’t be afraid of using the creativity God gave us in worship. For me, that is a big part of my worship!
All this to say, if what we are doing is supporting the charge to lead people to a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ, that’s what it’s all about. I promise if it is to dark to see your Easy Spirits while in the pews everything will be ok, as long as people are being drawn to Jesus!