Submitted by DoubleBarrell25 on May 6, 2018 - 11:15am.
I want to start this off by saying that I love you guys and want the best for Worship Artistry. I have to be one of your customers who is most frequently on this site. I love it and what God has accomplished through this site and what He will continue to accomplish. The beginning of this episode with Keith Getty, Jason shares with Daniel a story about a blogger ripping Worship Artistry about emotional manipulation stemming from a graphic that was shared almost over a year ago on the website about creating set lists that flow well. I have even used this graphic to help learn how to plan a good set list. I do not believe that this graphic teaches emotional manipulation; however, the reality of the American church is that there is a large number of churches who participate in emotional manipulation by having a "high" on Sunday morning and never worshiping God throughout the week. This is a real problem that needs addressed. (FYI I could not find the blog post) So I think I agree with the blogger that there is a problem, but I would disagree that this graphic is part of the problem. What disappointed me in this episode is that you guys were so quick to dismiss the blogger and totally wrong and off base. Someone disagreed with you, and you didn't even allow for the possibility that you could be wrong. The very next discussion on the podcast was about being on with Keith Getty and about him having strong opinions about things. Jason says, "There's some strong opinions in there, but it's good. There's nothing wrong with strong opinions. I'm pro strong opinions about things." It seems like you are only pro strong opinions when those opinions are in agreement with you. That blogger has some strong opinions about your graphic, and you were against those by not even allowing for the possibility of him being right. Again, I love you guys, and I love what I believe to be the heart for God behind what you all are doing. I just wanted to point this out because I think it's important that, just because someone disagrees with us, does not mean that we should be allowed to dismiss them out of hand so easily. I agree with you Jason that the blogger is wrong and is taking the graphic out of context. BUT! I know I could be wrong, and I would love to read that blog and have a discussion with him/her about the graphic. I appreciate why you did not disclose the blog's location though. If you would be willing, could you email me the location so I could read it? dustybeaman@gmail.com. I know this is typed so my tone/demeanor/etc. is all inferred and may be taken out of context. I pray that it is not. I only mean it to edify you guys, edify this community, and to share the love, compassion, gentleness, and patience of Jesus that we need to have for everyone, even the harshest of our critics. Jesus bless you guys! Amen
Submitted by Jason Houtsma on May 8, 2018 - 5:01pm.
I should clarify that the reason I dismissed the blog article was because of the tone it was delivered in. It was clearly designed to get clicks and to get people angry rather than further a kingdom conversation.
I did spend some time reflecting on the content as well as what my response should be. In the end I chose to leave a comment that in the most Christ-like way I knew how. I did my best to be a peacemaker rather than an antagonist or simply a peace keeper.
Personally, I believe discussions and debates should happen in the correct context (i.e. in a conversation on a podcast where both parties can respond) or simply at a dinner table with a friend rather than a one-sided blog that shouts into the ether but invites no response.
I do my best to always be open to new and different ideas from my own, but I also need to recognize motivation and desired outcomes and this particular writer didn't appear interested in a productive dialogue.
Submitted by DoubleBarrell25 on May 9, 2018 - 9:25pm.
Thanks so much for your response Jason! Like I said, I love your guys' heart and motivation behind what you do. I hope my tone reflected that. I love your response an that does clear up why you dismissed it. I totally agree that if someone is not interested is a mutually edifying discussion, then the best thing to do is to move on from the conversation EVEN IF THAT PERSON IS RIGHT. Quick story, I had a girlfriend growing up where her and I were mutually bad for each other. I had an adult in my life (identity secret to protect them lol) who repeatedly point out to me that it was a sinful relationship but they did it in such a spiteful hateful way that I was not won over. All they were concerned with was being right and not loving and so I dug my heels in. Many years later when I was an adult, it got brought up again and the crushing blow from me was this, "Yes, you were right and that's great. Do you think Jesus will be pleased that you were right but helped no one?" Since the, it hasn't been brought up. I hope my post was helpful, insightful, and instructional. Love you guys! Thanks again. Oh, my name is Dusty by the way :)
Submitted by Jason Houtsma on May 10, 2018 - 9:55am.
I love asking the question "how do you think God feels about it?"
There was a time in my life where I was very frustrated with the worship music world and I wanted to make something "better". There was a specific point where God nearly shouted at me "Do you think I'm not worshipped when people sing (song I won't name)?"
I was so caught up in how I felt about the songs that I didn't take God's perspective into account. Should we try and write great songs that draw people to and teach people about God? Absolutely! Does God care if the song I'm singing is perfectly crafted? I doubt it.
I think we would all do well to care more for God's thoughts and feelings towards His people than our own personal agendas. God can use that.
Comments
Blogger Ripping Worship Artistry
Submitted by DoubleBarrell25 on May 6, 2018 - 11:15am.
I want to start this off by saying that I love you guys and want the best for Worship Artistry. I have to be one of your customers who is most frequently on this site. I love it and what God has accomplished through this site and what He will continue to accomplish. The beginning of this episode with Keith Getty, Jason shares with Daniel a story about a blogger ripping Worship Artistry about emotional manipulation stemming from a graphic that was shared almost over a year ago on the website about creating set lists that flow well. I have even used this graphic to help learn how to plan a good set list. I do not believe that this graphic teaches emotional manipulation; however, the reality of the American church is that there is a large number of churches who participate in emotional manipulation by having a "high" on Sunday morning and never worshiping God throughout the week. This is a real problem that needs addressed. (FYI I could not find the blog post) So I think I agree with the blogger that there is a problem, but I would disagree that this graphic is part of the problem. What disappointed me in this episode is that you guys were so quick to dismiss the blogger and totally wrong and off base. Someone disagreed with you, and you didn't even allow for the possibility that you could be wrong. The very next discussion on the podcast was about being on with Keith Getty and about him having strong opinions about things. Jason says, "There's some strong opinions in there, but it's good. There's nothing wrong with strong opinions. I'm pro strong opinions about things." It seems like you are only pro strong opinions when those opinions are in agreement with you. That blogger has some strong opinions about your graphic, and you were against those by not even allowing for the possibility of him being right. Again, I love you guys, and I love what I believe to be the heart for God behind what you all are doing. I just wanted to point this out because I think it's important that, just because someone disagrees with us, does not mean that we should be allowed to dismiss them out of hand so easily. I agree with you Jason that the blogger is wrong and is taking the graphic out of context. BUT! I know I could be wrong, and I would love to read that blog and have a discussion with him/her about the graphic. I appreciate why you did not disclose the blog's location though. If you would be willing, could you email me the location so I could read it? dustybeaman@gmail.com. I know this is typed so my tone/demeanor/etc. is all inferred and may be taken out of context. I pray that it is not. I only mean it to edify you guys, edify this community, and to share the love, compassion, gentleness, and patience of Jesus that we need to have for everyone, even the harshest of our critics. Jesus bless you guys! Amen
Thanks for your thought, DoubleBarrell
Submitted by Jason Houtsma on May 8, 2018 - 5:01pm.
I should clarify that the reason I dismissed the blog article was because of the tone it was delivered in. It was clearly designed to get clicks and to get people angry rather than further a kingdom conversation.
I did spend some time reflecting on the content as well as what my response should be. In the end I chose to leave a comment that in the most Christ-like way I knew how. I did my best to be a peacemaker rather than an antagonist or simply a peace keeper.
Personally, I believe discussions and debates should happen in the correct context (i.e. in a conversation on a podcast where both parties can respond) or simply at a dinner table with a friend rather than a one-sided blog that shouts into the ether but invites no response.
I do my best to always be open to new and different ideas from my own, but I also need to recognize motivation and desired outcomes and this particular writer didn't appear interested in a productive dialogue.
Hope that clears things up a bit.
THANKS!
Submitted by DoubleBarrell25 on May 9, 2018 - 9:25pm.
Thanks so much for your response Jason! Like I said, I love your guys' heart and motivation behind what you do. I hope my tone reflected that. I love your response an that does clear up why you dismissed it. I totally agree that if someone is not interested is a mutually edifying discussion, then the best thing to do is to move on from the conversation EVEN IF THAT PERSON IS RIGHT. Quick story, I had a girlfriend growing up where her and I were mutually bad for each other. I had an adult in my life (identity secret to protect them lol) who repeatedly point out to me that it was a sinful relationship but they did it in such a spiteful hateful way that I was not won over. All they were concerned with was being right and not loving and so I dug my heels in. Many years later when I was an adult, it got brought up again and the crushing blow from me was this, "Yes, you were right and that's great. Do you think Jesus will be pleased that you were right but helped no one?" Since the, it hasn't been brought up. I hope my post was helpful, insightful, and instructional. Love you guys! Thanks again. Oh, my name is Dusty by the way :)
Great story, Dusty!
Submitted by Jason Houtsma on May 10, 2018 - 9:55am.
I love asking the question "how do you think God feels about it?"
There was a time in my life where I was very frustrated with the worship music world and I wanted to make something "better". There was a specific point where God nearly shouted at me "Do you think I'm not worshipped when people sing (song I won't name)?"
I was so caught up in how I felt about the songs that I didn't take God's perspective into account. Should we try and write great songs that draw people to and teach people about God? Absolutely! Does God care if the song I'm singing is perfectly crafted? I doubt it.
I think we would all do well to care more for God's thoughts and feelings towards His people than our own personal agendas. God can use that.
Wow so great!
Submitted by Joshua Ely on March 30, 2020 - 3:42pm.
"Let your music grow, but let your faith grow faster than your music"; that is so great! So thankful for the ministry of Keith and Kristyn Getty!