Welcome to———Church. I’m DJ Pastor, MC for JC, choosing hymns and fueling souls. Blah, blah, blah. I’m sure you have a request or a demand for your favorite song to get your Sunday flowing. Or you definitely have some strong opinions on what you don’t want to hear. Sometimes, the pastor feels like the DJ at a preteen school dance party.
Many of us song spinners think hard about it. Start out strong with a pick-me-up. Hit a stinger that matches the theme later. Cool it down with some meditative communion numbers and shake the walls with a praise and thanksgiving banger. Maybe throw in a ‘contemporary’ tune for the boomers and some impossible thrash hardcore for the zealous youngsters.
Some of us might even set up a few services with different vibes, like the Roller Skating rink in my hometown—skating to the oldies at 7 and dancing to Echo and Bunnymen at 9. There is something for everyone. The DJ might even change his clothes to fit the mood.
Even those who stay in the canon and keep it to one service do some creative tune-slaying. Don’t let them fool you. You’d be surprised how many poor words and tunes are in the holy hymnal. Everyone has an opinion. They talk a good talk but they want you to leave with some feels. They want you to tell others it was the best service ever, incense blazing, extra bowing, throwing in some processions—quite a show.
And what to make of those who really don’t care? Reading the liturgy like the back of a prescription bottle, pretend you don’t hear the awful squeaking in the organ. I know, I know, it’s all about the Word. Therefore, you are making everything else so puritanically dull that no one could possibly say they were moved.
DJ Pastor cares about what people like. It’s not all about him. DJ Pastor cares about what the songs say about God. DJ Pastor wants people to be moved by the service, especially the preached Word and the Eucharist. DJ Pastor doesn’t see his number one job as DJing your worship experience. He chiefly wants you to receive in your ear and your mouth the goods of forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus Christ!
DJ Pastor might throw the organ, piano, guitar, and late boomer praise band singers out the door if you complain about the music one more time!
