Females leading songs and feminization in worship music

I started this blog for the primary purpose of writing out the deepest thoughts in my head. No matter how risky or controversial they may be. I seriously figured no one would ever read it anyway so what's there to be afraid of. With that background I want to address an issue that really challenges me every week. I am blessed with some very talented female singers and their ability far exceeds my own. The problem is finding the proper songs for them to lead. So many, and I mean many, upbeat praise songs were written by men and demand a wide male range. Sometimes, something gets lost in translation when they are led by a female. What is typically lost is the power and intensity of the words.

Slower worship songs tend to work better but songs like "Stronger" or "The Stand" feel empty and almost lose their meaning to me. So, naturally, like most worship leaders, you start to bring forth songs that were led by females when recorded. This is where I'm going to turn the intensity up in this post. As a man, many of those songs are either super lame, or almost effeminate in their phrasing and chording. I've often thought, while listening to some of these songs, that what real man would ever say these words? My solution for those songs has been to let them only be featured as a special song but by doing that you remain trapped in the "what do I have them lead?!?" loop.

It seems appropriate now that I should commend Brooke (used to be Fraser got married new name insert here) from Hillsong for the tremendous writing she has done. Brooke's songs transcend female feelings, focus on scripture, and include surreal and dreamy musical parts for the musicians. I'd call them 'perfect'. The worship world desperately needs more Brookes. I feel for the Christian female music artist. They know that women will be buying probably 90% of their releases so catering to them makes business sense. Unfortunately, you are left with cds full of songs that don't translate into the worship platform.

If you are a female worship music writer, let me offer these 2 words of advice: Scripture and God. If you get that, all will fall into place.

Age and the Worship Leader

I'm 41. That is something that has really consumed my mind lately. Am I going through a mid-life crisis looking back with regrets? NO. What has consumed my mind is that age seems to be part of the Worship Leader cliche. In contemporary churches, songs are supposed to be led by some 20'ish year old with the hip hair styles and proper uniform (random corroding t-shirt and washed out jeans).

When one enters 40, are they defacto 'not relevant'? When is one supposed to step aside? I thank God that with my age has not come the obvious signs of aging except for the graying of the hairs on the side of my head, gifts given to me by my 3 children. I can pull off the look (at least I think I can). Maybe my worship team would tell you otherwise. Truth be told, there is no way that I had the maturity to handle being a worship leader until now. God had perfect timing in putting me in this position. But, you can't help but ask yourself, "was I put in this position for me, or to help identify and raise up the next leader?"

Looking into God's word reveals people of all ages being used in critical times. Paul was no young chap, neither was Abraham. Jesus was in his 30s before God chose to bring about the series of events which would reveal the reason why he sent his Son. David was young when his journey started but he also made a lot of stupid mistakes in his younger days that he seemed to learn from with age. So, I guess I gain comfort from this.

I am not a Braveheart-speech type of individual. I am not going to stand on a mountaintop and dare all young challengers to just try and knock me off. I sense that just as God brought me into this position, he will take me out, and there will be peace about it.

Need to stop thinking about this...