Last night I had the opportunity to join a "live chat" with Worship Leaders/Pastors from around the country. The topic of the night was Manly Worship...what is is and does it matter.
It was quite the conversation, out of 69 worship leaders only 3 of us were female, which as you know gives a whole other twist to the conversation. Some guys wanted more songs about "war" and "battles" others thought it was great that guys could learn to be more compassionate and tender. It's ironic that most of the worship songs written today are written by men, in fact over 90 % of the songs we sings at Willow are authored by guys. I found a verse in Luke where Jesus is saying to Jerusalem that he has longed to gather their children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings (Luke 13:34); now that image does not seem very "manly" and yet I think there is a quite a strength to them.
I have often wondered if our definition of "manly" is skewed by the culture in which we live? When reading the scriptures it's clear that men had physical strength along with kindness, power along with compassion~To me a man who can verbally say he loves His savior is not weak. Some of the Worship Leaders called out for men to stand up and sing out...live out loud by example...We all thought that was great!
I do think that there are way too many "sappy" worship songs out there, however, it's great to voice our love and gratefulness~remembering that God is Holy and Just and Jealous, full of Mercy and Grace and compassion for His creation. Regardless of being male of female we are called to become more like Jesus, pursue His heart and bringing Him glory in what we say and in what we do.
Would love to know what you think?
