Rant about Music

Time for a rant. I have some bottled up frustration about some evidences of the sappy, superficial theological perspectives of some of our “contemporary” music that we call “praise and worship.” Before you write me off as an old fogey, I will tell you that I have been shaken to the core by much of creative energy and inspiration of writers to catch the emotional flavor of God’s love for us and our responses to Him. Much of what we sing is taken right from scripture and it blesses my heart, as, I am sure, it blesses God.

Yesterday, I experienced a moment in worship that, in my wildest imagination, I never dreamed I would ever experience. The worship team chose to use a song by JohnMark McMillan called, “Oh How He Loves.” It is quite popular through the Hillsong movement in Australia because the chorus is a repetitive phrase of “how He loves us.” That, in itself is something we are to be reminded of over and over. Even hymn writers such as Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby and Frances Ridley Havergal were overtaken by the fact that our God loves us. They could poetically express in lyrics often set to appropriate music. And so, while appreciating the reflection of “how He loves us so,” I was floored by a phrase in the second verse of the song. The line reads, “So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss…” And that is how it was sung.

I do not presume to know what the author was experiencing when he wrote those words, or if his relationship with God involves that particular act, but for me, it was another evidence of superficiality and tastelessness in worship. The David Crowder Band recorded this song and had the wisdom change the lyrics because of the potential controversy of the original. Crowder changed it to “an unforeseen kiss.” That works for me. I wish the worship team had used the Crowder lyrics.

So, is it just me or does anyone else have that same type of reaction? I am trying very hard not to react as an “older” person, but to understand. I am just thinking that “sloppy wet kiss” is not a very appropriate way to relate to how God loves us, especially in Sunday Morning worship. I’d invite your arguments, but more importantly I’d invite us all to engage with our worship leaders to examine closely those songs that fit and those that don’t. If the song is good but doesn’t say what we want it to say, why not write some lyrics that say it well? Unforseen kiss or sloppy wet kiss? I would choose the former. What about you?

Wrapping up the trip

I knew it would have to come to an end. Just about the time we get over our jet-lag, we have to pack up and get readjusted to another time. It is now 8:47 am on Wednesday. According to my computer clock it is 6:47 p.m on Tuesday at home. Our flight leaves tonight at 10 here and arrives in Los Angeles at 6 pm on the same day. I plan to arrive in Wichita at around noon on Thursday.

Yesterday we were able to visit two Bible Colleges, one of which has a graduate program also. Several Friends students attend the Faith Bible College which is an OMS school. The current president is Dr. Karl Luff, who with his wife Peggy, served as pastor in North Carolina at the same time I was there. It was a special treat to see them again after 30 years. They were having an all school retreat and this was their closing service. We had a good time of fellowship with the group. Chuck Mylander spoke to them. Several responded to a call to greater involvement in the kingdom that might involve Missions service.

Following lunch we went to the Great Commission International College and Seminary, where I shared a message with the students and faculty. And after some refreshments, we went to the huge Mega Mall to purchase some souveniers to take to our families. Back in the car again we joined Jaime and Lydia's daughter and son-in-law John for a chinese dinner. We had a festive occasion (as much as our tired bodies allowed) in sharing and fellowship. Then to the guest house for a night of rest before our next day. Today is scheduled for meetings with Jaime and Lydia, processing all we have learned and endeavoring to provide as much support as we can to their great work here in planting churches.

Let me leave you with some pictures of cultural life. The "Jeepney" is the public transportation in Manila, both privately owned and publicly owned. They are all the way from quite fancy to rather plain and usually full of people.

While the city is ultra modern with massive malls and sky scrapers, there are huge problems with poverty and pollution. The rivers are jammed with garbage and the poor build "shantytowns" alongside, wherever they can find a small open spot to locate. This, of course is not unlike many large cities. Manila has a metro population of over 15 million residents, which makes for a massive amount of problem in governmental administration. The papers are continually filled with exposing corruption by the governmental officials.

I am told that 60% of the population is under 25 years of age. This is why there are so many young people in each church. They do some incredible praise and worship. In fact, we did not sing one "hymn" the whole time. Each church, small to large had some type of worship ensemble from acoustic guitar to the whole band. They are very much influenced by Hillsong, a P&W team from Australia. So it is very lively, energizing, upbeat and loud. But provides for great worship experiences.

I want to request that you pray for Jaime and Lydia Tabingo, who are serving as our national leaders here. Their task is ominous, but they seem to be helping to fulfill the Great Commission through the planting of churches and developing leaders in ways that are unique. They deserve our love and support.

More Filla from Manila

As it is in most other countries when you get away from home and office, you run into internet problems. We had internet here at the guest house in the mornings but nothing late at night. And since we have been going from early morning till evening, I haven't gotten to post since Friday. But here I am at nine in the evening on Monday, that should be, if my calculations are correct about five p.m on Sunday for you. Hope you had a happy birthday, Jan! By the way, this guest house, owned by World Team Missions is great. Here's a picture.

Friday, we were able to visit one of the large shopping districts before starting our meetings. The have a Mega Mall and a Hyper Mall. Then there is the Asia Mall, which is said to be the largest mall in Asia. Carlos wanted to purchase a typical Philippine shirt for Sunday. We ate lunch at Max's and then proceeded on to a place called "Robinson Homes." I found out I am a big man here because Robinson is on everything important, land, shopping, streets, etc. We went there to discuss with a many named Manny Pera, his goals and ideas about planting churches. He comes from a different background and has recently affiliated with Friends. It was a profitable visit. We spent some time that evening discussing some options for this role.

On Saturday, we drove to a town called Marikina, still a part of Metro Manila, to meet with a group of pastor's gathering there. Three or four came from the island of Samar, were some churches are meeting in buildings made from bamboo and banana leaves. They traveled two hrs. by ferry and ten hours in a car to come to the meeting. It's like driving from Friendswood to Wichita just for a pastor's gathering. They did stay over for the celebration on Sunday. We, of course ate, which Friends do when they get together; rice, vegetables, fish, boiled quail eggs, bananas and the universal food, Coca Cola. It was fun to get acquainted with pastors from all over Manila and other parts of the country. That afternoon, we went to meet a pastor in Villa Cuana, who was starting a church in a home he had built on top of a former landfill. Could you do that? This guy and his family are so talented and dedicated, that they see only the possibilities. They are building a second story on their house for the church to meet. Wow.

Sunday, a huge day. We split the team into three different churches. I went to Angono to preach to a small congregation. Rodell is the pastor and the location is where Jaime and Lydia are preparing their new home, right in the edge of the mountains. What a beautiful setting and wonderful, excited people. After lunch, it was almost time for the 30 year anniversary celebration service to begin at 3. It was a great time and lasted till 6:30. There were about 350 there and the church fed us all, chicken, pork, and rice. Then the team with Jaime, Lydia, their daughter Lois and her new husband John went out for ice cream. I think it was about 10:30 when we turned in.

Then today, Monday, we were up driving to the north side of the city to Kawit, Cavite the site of a small church in a very depressed area of the city. A wonderful lady, Nora pastors this congregation along with her daughter. The meet in a rented duplex house. We shared with them and they fed us again, rice, vegetables, fish (and steamed mussels, what a treat for me!), fried chicken, pork, pineapple and bananas. Then we traveled across the city to the south side, about 3-4 hours drive to a small church called Bagang Salang (New Birth) Friends church. Pastor George Montoya and his congregation treated us to singing and fed us some delicious rice cakes called Biki (bee-kee). So now we are ready for a good rest.

Tomorrow we visit the Faith Bible College where several Friends students are studying, and then in the afternoon to the Great Commission Theological Seminary where I will speak to the students and faculty on retreat. I'll try to update you again before we travel the 7,000+ miles home.

Philippine Update

What a great experience as well as an incredible opportunity! I left Wichita on Tuesday, 2/12/08 about an hour and a half late which necessitated a new connecting flight in Dallas to LA. It also was late getting in about 3 hours after I had planned to arrive. But made it in time to get checked in, grab a quick bite and meet the rest of the team. Having packed for carry-on luggage, it was a surprise that even carry-ons are now weight limited to 15 pounds, so I had to check it anyway. But that was just at LA for the flight to Manila. We arrived in Manila at 4:45 am, which is 18 hours earlier than Wichita, so it was already Valentine's Day. We were able to freshen up a bit before leaving for our first assignment, which was meeting with students and faculty at Manila Theological College. We were treated to a wonderful Korean lunch with lots of noodles and Kimchi. The assignment changed from just speaking to a class to a whole hour convocation in which four of us spoke. Don't worry, it only lasted an hour. We were exhausted. Jet lag had caught us. Arriving back at the guest house I took a 1 1/2 hour nap, went to dinner, talked for a bit and went to bed at 8:30. I have to tell you I slept right through till 6:30 with just a few obligatory trips to the "necessary room".

Manila is a fascinating city with a strong Spanish history and lots of local folklore. It is about 85% Catholic, but evangelical churches are finding quite a fertile field here. In the 30 years of Jaime Tabingo's ministry, he has seen at least 25 churches planted, many of them growing and vital in their ministry. Today we have the opportunity to meet with a dynamic church planter from an independent background who is very interested in becoming Friends. He has planted several churches, so this will be a crucial meeting. Keep praying for us. God is doing a great thing among Friends around the world.

Picture Notes: 1)The team consists of Mary Heathman from Denver; Larry Mendenhall, pastor of Canyon Hills Friends, Carlos Lopez, Missions "guy" from CHFC; and Chuck Mylander, Director of EFM.

2)Picture at Manila Theological College with our team in Front with faculty and staff. Jaime and Lydia Tabingo are seated in front with their red Valentine outfits.

3)Just to prove that I am doing something, I had Mary take a picture of me sharing with the students and faculty.