Song Thoughts- “Instead of a Show”

I was recently introduced to a song that challenges the way we live our Christian lives. Jon Foreman is the lead singer of Switchfoot, but recently began releasing solo EPs (6 song CD). ”Instead of a show” is written from God’s point of view as he expresses his dissatisfaction with our worship and the fact that the other parts of our lives don’t line up with the way we worship. I encourage you to visit Jon’s Myspace and listen to “Instead of a Show” for yourself- just scroll down a bit, double click on the title and it should start playing.

There are numerous things that I think are very powerful (and convicting) in this song. The first one is calling worship a “show.” Not only does this allude to the fact that God may despise ‘productions’ of worship, but also that God hates inconsistency- we should be praising God everywhere we go and in everything we do. Another part that caught my attention was the thought that God would actually “stop up [God's] ears when [we're] singing…” them (hymns/worship songs).

This song is based on Isaiah 1:11-17. The prophet addresses many of the problems we often face as worship leaders- how do you lead others in worship, make it appealing to the masses, and avoid making a “show”? The answer lies in verse 17: “learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” In other words, live a life of worship at all times- find a way to serve in the church as a volunteer, serve in the community, go out and cause a flood of justice.

As worship leaders, we often waste time worrying about making sure every song is perfect, or creating slideshows/videos that will really inspire the congregation… What if you started asking for more than clapping with the beat from them? What if you challenged them to live righteously and help those that can’t help themselves? What if we changed how our congregations looked at worship- from an end, to a means of changing the world by changing their lifestyle? How long is it going to take for us to start listening to the words spoken and written by Isaiah thousands of years ago?

Russ Bowlin is the youth director at Williams Memorial UMC in Texarkana Tx. He shares a weekly devotional called “Observations and Devotions” as well as writing for the Williams E-votional

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3 Comments on “Song Thoughts- “Instead of a Show””

#1 Janet
on Aug 8th, 2008 at 8:40 pm

I enjoy Jon Foreman’s EPs. I always wonder, though, when I hear people say that a particular song or artist changed their lives. Often it seems it would be more accurate to say that the artist helped them think about things differently, but changing lifestyles is something else entirely.

As a worship leader, I suspect you face the same challenge. Good luck!
#2 admin
on Aug 10th, 2008 at 2:57 pm

Janet,
Yeah I am reminded of the scripture in James that says If we don’t do what we hear, it’s like looking in a mirror and forgetting what we look like. It could be a scripture, sermon, story or song that inspire us, and make us look at something different, but unless we take action and do something it really doesn’t matter much.
#3 russ
on Aug 12th, 2008 at 12:13 am

janet- I think that as worship leaders we should periodically remind ourselves and others what the message or point of a familiar song is. The great thing about introducing new songs is that it forces his to think about what it is saying. As far as changing lifestyles- we are called to live a life that is abnormal(according to the world)and as worship leaders, we are called to assist people in leading a life that is constantly seeking perfection.