02.22.11 - Style

Misty and I had the great privilege to see Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant in concert this past weekend (also got to meet and talk with them a little bit, but that's not really the point......just thought I would throw that in there to make some of you jealous!). I had never seen either one of them live before and I must say I was extremely blessed and impressed.

I learned a couple of things from that concert:
#1 - I had no idea that Amy Grant pretty much gave Michael W. Smith his big chance by making him her music director in the early 80s. He wrote and performed a huge chunk of her music that became so popular.....who would have thought?

#2 - As incredible as they all were on stage talent wise, I learned that Michael W. Smith is pretty much the man. Not because he has sold a billion gazillion albums, but because after all these years, he still gets it.

I have often heard, over the past several years, that a lot of people in church or who like christian music have a hard time adjusting to new styles of music in worship. MWS (Michael W. Smith from this point on) really laid the ground work for what is now considered modern worship. He took a chance on something he believed in and did it for the right reasons......God blessed his efforts.

When you think of MWS, you may think of songs like, "Breathe", "Above All", or maybe "Awesome God." Because he has been around for so long, I think a lot of people have used him as the "ideal" worship leader (and I agree completely). But what's funny to me is I think a lot of people think of him only as the songs I mentioned or others of his greatest hits......or maybe that calmer more worshipful artist. If you have ever been to one of his concerts, you will quickly find out that he can rock it out with the best of them. His band is amazing and they can really bring it. He through out a bunch of new stuff that I had not heard much before, re-did some old favorites, and of course the major songs were received the best. Whether it was something totally new or if it was the most well-known MWS song, everyone in attendance seemed to really worship WITH him (because he wasn't just putting on a show).

I realized something in all of this. It's not about the style of song or how loud it was or if they knew it or not because again.....everyone responded. I think the greatest thing about MWS that allowed him to be so diverse in his music selection was that the people TRUSTED HIM! They paid very good money to come be a part of what he had to offer. He didn't have to "LEAD" them by asking them to stand or to raise their hands or anything. He was leading worship simply by worshiping. He did a great job of planning ahead on the songs he chose to do that night with a good mix of very familiar and some not so familiar....but they worked together to create an awesome worship experience. At the end of the night, everyone was standing and allowing the words of his music to really move them and let go of their inhibitions.  

MWS has spent the past 30 years or so crafting worshipful music (loud and intimate) and people have responded to him. They know that when he writes or sings something, it's from his heart. He wrote his music in a style that wasn't well-known or established, but trusted that as long as his intent was to glorify God, it would be blessed.

Today, worship leaders such as Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Charlie Hall, and many many more have been able to share music God has placed on their hearts and know that their will be others out there who will be fed by their music because of the work MWS did many years ago. He allowed God to use him in such a unique and scary way that now many lives have been blessed and have come to know Christ because he was bold enough to do what God was calling him to do.

MWS, I now have a greater appreciation and respect for you. Thank you for stepping out in blind faith so long ago and listening to God's calling on your life.