Introverts and Exuberance
Posted on 31. May, 2011 by Dustin Ragland in Blog
So I have been reading this little article from the excellent writer/blogger Jason Boyett, and it has reminded me of a couple of things that would be fun (hopefully) “under-the-hood” type thoughts for folks curious about life for a traveling musician working in congregational music, or what we call worship music.
Note 1: I’m a pretty introverted fellow, though I’m not totally agoraphobic nor uncomfortable being thrown into various unknown social settings. I kind of have to do this for my job as it is. (n.b. I will probably refer to leading worship or working in the scene of music that takes place mostly in churches as “job” or “work” from time to time, and this is not to take away from the very naturally supernatural or mysterious elements of being in God’s presence in songs and prayer. It’s just a way to remind myself that this is the craft I’ve been handed, and sometimes, a lot of times, it is actually hard work. Most of the time, in fact. Anyways…)
I certainly can relate to not always feeling up to jumping around or making more outwardly physical displays of adoration towards Jesus while in musical parts of worship. It’s probably just the personality I have, which I hope to some degree is from the Lord, and if it isn’t, then He and I can deal with that. Either way, my heart/insides/what Greek calls “splakhgna” or guts can be pure lava with joy or hunger, and I could just be standing there or swaying like a (scrawny) reed. I might bow (feels ancient), lift my hands (feels Baptist), or sit in my chair (feels restful). Any or all of those things I hope to be as little pre-meditated as possible, though who here reading this hasn’t been a little self-thoughtful about one’s external worship acts?
Note 2: As someone who’s typical travel day to a certain place to lead folks in worship looks something like the following, I can say it is often as much of a challenge to be around lots and lots of people a lot of the time:
a. wake up between 330-5 (if lucky, 5) b. load heavy cases into car c. drive to meeting spot d. load cases into another car, drive to airport e. load cases into airport, do the TSA screening dance f. fly to ATL, DTW, MSP, SLC, MEM. g. fly to location h. fight the barbarian hordes at baggage claim for aforementioned 8 cases of gear, load into van. i. see people. lots.
So, as an already introverted guy, at times being utterly sleep deprived and thrown into very personal and, let’s face it, morally weighted interactions (what if I say the word “sucks” and that offends you?! or if my not eating meat is really weird where you’re from? or that I might really enjoy The National’s latest record and you thought it was too murky sounding?!)-being thrown into lots of interactions can be tough. It for sure isn’t always, and by no means do I complain or regret any of the above-it’s a good problem to have-but just understand that sometimes when you meet folks you (whether you admit it or not) view as spiritual role models, you might understand that the pedestal they might be placed on is one with very little sleep under it. Not to mention another layer of introversion.
The Point? In relation to Charlie and band?
Do not fear if you are an exuberant person, and love to worship in very outward motions-very obviously the Lord values this kind of celebration, and we hope to foster it in the Church (one of my favorite things is seeing people dance to beats I am playing-it’s amazing and makes me so grateful). Yet if you are an introverted person who feels like you are just the smallest bit suspect of less than full on worshipfulness (even if it’s only yourself suspecting this!), know that God has made you, and is indeed making you, and He values what you bring even if it doesn’t look the same as some of our more cultivated forms of worship.
Leaders: be sure to bear this in mind as you get to know your congregations, and be sure to not place your own view of your successfulness in leading musical worship in the crowd responses: i.e. if they dance and jump, we did a good job and the Spirit was there, but not if they seem quiet and still. Your worth as a leader is in God’s calling on you, and to lead people to Him, not to lead people to act a certain way.
Quietude is not the same as misanthropy. Likewise, exuberance is not the same as shallowness. The Church is wide enough for everyone in between, and both!
Thank you for clearing up this subject of concern. Shalom.
God’s Speed,
Christa B. (:
I’m a worship pastor/leader and an off-the-chart introvert, it’s good to know of others out there too! Great article, well-written, excellent advice to leaders about God’s calling. Do you mind if I share this on my site?
Dustin,
What a thoughtful, honest post, and not unlike what some of us imagine your life to be like. I’ve always wondered how awkward and old it might get for you to be going to so many new places, meeting tons of new people, and most of them wanting to act like you are long-lost friends and yet you have no clue who they are, nor would you probably want to! LOL Even if we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, some of us are pretty strange when you get right down to it!
My husband and I were given the privilege of being your Green Room escorts a few summers ago when you came to Calvary Chapel in St Petersburg (FL) the year Charlie brought his kids. We came to know all of you–albeit briefly–as ambassadors for Christ in your own very powerful way, yet perfectly normal guys who might prefer to be home with their families instead of on the road. As difficult as it is sometimes, it’s all part of counting the cost when He has called you to this work–missionaries going throughout all of Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria (OKC, DFW, ATL, Brazil and Africa). But please know that your work is sooo appreciated. “Center” has been our theme song (if that’s possible) as missionaries, as well as many others. Music is a powerful form of worship and offering to the Lord, and whether we bow, dance, cry, or shout for joy, it is all pleasing to Him and we thank you for the role you play in that.
Praying for His continued strength and grace in your lives, and our best to the rest of the guys!
Blessings,
Janice and Jim Larson
Intensive Care Ministries
Moshi, Tanzania
Great post …
Just a side note -
Trust me when I say, raising one’s hands in worship is not inherently Baptist. In non-denominational congregations, check out the folks either a) doing the stiff uncomfortable half-up hand raise b) pretending to stretch, yawn while raising one hand, quickly lowering it or c) hands stiffly at their sides like twin pokers.
These folks Charlie, suffer from SBS – Stiff Baptist Syndrome.
Yes, Baptists can learn to relax, loosen up and put some mojo in their worship … it just takes time, and if they grew up in FIB churches (Fundamentalist Independent Baptist), a good therapist.
But your typical General or Southern Baptist SBS patient can improve. For example, check out Andy Stanley.
Man, so true, that we should not judge a worship time by the way people respond to the leading. Sometimes when I lead there is such a joy and a lot of praise and other times there is a solemn attitude and awe of the God we worship and fear. I have learned that my successfulness, as you say, is not how high people can jump, or if they clap, or raise their hands. It is th eposition of the heart, not their stance, or if they are sitting down. The small gathering I lead in once a month, 98% of the people remain seated. I never ask them to stand because I am a guest there. Worshipping in spirit & in truth, to me, doesn’t reflect on their shouts, jumps, or outward emotions. It’s a heart thing.
Thanks, Dustin, for this blog.
Thank you I needed that, God is amazing, I just stumbled across this and it was just what I needed. I’m introverted and I have been working on it for years, and it is hard work when you would just rather be by yourself.
I’m doing a song tomorrow(Like a Lion) that we introduced to them a couple of weeks ago as a kick off song. It’s powerful, I really get into it and it just flows. It just killed me though when I looked up and 8 or 10 people out of 100+ are getting into it, and then you have the older gentlemen on the 3rd row with their hands over their ears.
I have fretted over it whether to tone it down or cut it or really just what to do with it period. So I am just going to sing the song let the spirit flow and let God deal with the rest
Thanks again,
Matthew Hunter