Integrity

I'm going to do my best to write this post in love and not condemnation or criticism. I pray that my heart on this issue will be evident and not misunderstood for something else. I heard a great pastor say about a week ago while he was presenting the congregation with an uncomfortable message "receive this in love". I thought, "what a great way to say what you really think and get away with it b/c you've given the 'love' disclaimer!" But seriously, this has been on my heart for about a year now. I don't know if it's been God that's brought it further and further to the front of my mind in the last month or what, but I felt the need to share. So, receive this in love!

Integrity. When most people hear this word they automatically think of the personal meaning of the word. If someone has integrity they have moral or ethical principles.  A more corporate definition of the word as it pertains to the Church or a church ministry is "the state of being whole, entire, undiminished, or perfect condition". While we know nothing in life is perfect, and no one person is perfect besides Jesus himself, the idea of striving to be "undiminished and perfect" is a noble one.

One area of the Church that I see as important for keeping the integrity is the worship. I wrote a couple days ago about worship and how it is a response and a lifestyle.  The "worship" portion of a church service is a vital one for many reasons. One of those reasons is it ushers in the presence of our Father. Matthew 18:20 says, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (NIV) This applies to prayer and worship. 2 Kings 17:36 starts by saying, "But worship only the LORD".  Psalm 29:2 says, "Honor the LORD for the glory of his name, Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness." We were born to worship God. Like the song says, "We were born to praise you!" 

Our worship should be an offering to God. In the Old Testament, we know that many people bring an offering to God by sacrificing animals or even people! This is not to be taken lightly. There were specific things that you were to follow, particular ways to burn the offering, a particular place, even the thing in which you were to burn was supposed to be one of integrity. Proverbs 15:8 says, "The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright." There was a certain integrity in giving a sacrifice to God in the Old Testament. Abraham himself was asked to bring his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering to the Lord. His fear of the Lord, obedience, and faith that God would provide another option proved enough for God to send an angel to stop the killing of his only son. The point is though, he was willing to go that far. He was willing to keep the integrity of a sacrifice to God. Now, God might not be asking us to start up a bonfire in our worship service, but I believe he does expect our best.

That means our best possible song list, best possible musicians, best possible instruments. That means there has to be the integrity kept of the entire "production". Some might disagree with my use of the word "production" here, but trust me, I don't mean it in a way of a "show" or "concert" for anyone other than God. Just go with it for now. If the musicians aren't putting in all their effort to create an environment capable of ushering people into the presence of God, then they're not keeping the integrity of the worship experience.  If some musicians only see themselves as a "band" rather than pastors of music, bringing forth the Word of God along with their musical talents, then they're not keeping the integrity of the worship.  Sure, there are some great "worship leaders" who might not be as gifted in the area of bringing the Word along with their set list. In my opinion, they need to pray for more. They need to be more developed. A more all-around "leader" is needed. That reminds me of a great word from my husband. "Leadership is a choice you make, not a place you sit." As leaders in the Church, we need to be mindful of who we're giving the platform to. Are they keeping the integrity of the church? Are they keeping the integrity of the worship service? Only showing up to church when you're scheduled to play is NOT keeping the integrity. I'm sorry, that's my one "rant" for the post. That just bugs me. How can we as leaders stand up and say how important attendance is when we don't bring ourselves to church every weekend?

Now, here's where things can get tricky. What if our best musician doesn't have the heart, doesn't have the desire to actually BE Christ-like? They're only there to "perform". Say, there's another person who may not be as gifted, but understands the importance of keeping the integrity of the Church. They're there every week, whether playing or not, they volunteer in other areas, they support other ministries in the church, and they just have the "heart".  What is the smart, and more importantly honorable, decision for the Church Leadership there? Who do you give the platform to? Ponder that. I think it's important.

Bottom line. Churches need to be the best of the best. Big or small. Traditional or contemporary. Old school or cutting edge. We all, as the body of Christ, need to do whatever it is that we have to in order to keep the integrity of the Bride of Jesus. Jesus loves the Church, he gave his life up for it. We need to take this seriously. Enough is enough. Stop elevating "people" or "musicians" to things they're not. Who cares if they have the most talent. Talent can be learned. Integrity, usually not. What comes from the platform, whether said or done, is crucial to keeping the integrity of the Bride of Jesus.

I hope this makes sense. I feel like I could write for an entire day about this, but hope what I've put down here glorifies God.