How Metrosexual Are You, Mr. Worship Leader?

I think it's a great tongue in cheek way to look at a subject that might hit close to home for some people. I think sometimes too much focus is on being trendy, and not enough is on the heart of worship. I find the image of some worship leaders very distracting.

Thanks for your comment, Michelle. I'd love to hear more about what kinds of things you find distracting.

Jonathan,
I was at a church once where the worship leader was flipping his very long hair around. Like big flips. It totally said, "this is all about me" rather than "this is all about God."

A bass player for a teen girls retreat was also flipping his hair around and really "rockin'" with his guitar. All the girls talked about afterward was how hot he was. Guess that distracted them from worship. The teen leaders asked him to wear a pony tail for the rest of the sessions.

In contrast, I was at a conference and I could tell you what any of the band members looked like because they did such a great job of bringing us in the the presence of God without calling any attention to themselves. No rock concert moves. No jumping off the speakers. Just excellence in their playing and singing.

It's distracting when women wear tight clothes and men wear glittery belts and purple nail polish. Yep, I've seen it.

I think what happens in worship sometimes might be better saved for a concert venue.

Thanks for the conversation. :-)

My shopping list:

1. ponytail holder
2. fingernail polish remover

Thanks, Michelle!

I totally agree with Michelle here. Although there might not be anything wrong with having some fun with this topic (we all need to lighten up sometimes) I still see a couple of problems with it:

1. Undoubtedly, there would be worship leaders out there who genuinely struggle with sexual identity issues. I would not want to do or say anything that would hinder these searching souls from finding wholeness in Christ. Jon Acuff's article has the potential to "stumble" someone who is coming to grips with the more serious issues of inner identity that might currently manifest as "metrosexualness."

2. In 2 Corinthians 3:18 worshipers are admonished to look upon and clearly reflect the glory of God. The thought of being so absorbed and preoccupied with someone's outward appearance is so far removed from what we are supposed to be doing during worship. Do we REALLY need to be thinking of, and analyzing our worship leaders like this? There are so many things that captivate our thoughts and distract us from pure worship in our modern world - we just don't need these thoughts.

Phil. 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."

3. David's worship leaders were clothed in a white linen ephod (1Ch 15:27) which represented their call to holiness and a turning away from flashy clothing. Our concentration needs to match that of these biblical worship leaders - inner and outward holiness. There are issues in Jon Acuff's article that hardly qualify young men and women for the momentous task of leading congregations into the presence of God.

In short: this list is unnecessary at best, and potentially an idolatrous stumbling block at it's worst.

I totally agree with Michelle here. Although there might not be anything wrong with having some fun with this topic (we all need to lighten up sometimes) I still see a couple of problems with it:

1. Undoubtedly, there would be worship leaders out there who genuinely struggle with sexual identity issues. I would not want to do or say anything that would hinder these searching souls from finding wholeness in Christ. Jon Acuff's article has the potential to "stumble" someone who is coming to grips with the more serious issues of inner identity that might currently manifest as "metrosexualness."

2. In 2 Corinthians 3:18 worshipers are admonished to look upon and clearly reflect the glory of God. The thought of being so absorbed and preoccupied with someone's outward appearance is so far removed from what we are supposed to be doing during worship. Do we REALLY need to be thinking of, and analyzing our worship leaders like this? There are so many things that captivate our thoughts and distract us from pure worship in our modern world - we just don't need these thoughts.

Phil. 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."

3. David's worship leaders were clothed in a white linen ephod (1Ch 15:27) which represented their call to holiness and a turning away from flashy clothing. Our concentration needs to match that of these biblical worship leaders - inner and outward holiness. There are issues in Jon Acuff's article that hardly qualify young men and women for the momentous task of leading congregations into the presence of God.

In short: this list is unnecessary at best, and potentially an idolatrous stumbling block at it's worst.

Thanks for your insights, Vivien!

I think, to some extent, this is true.

I definitely guys and girls who are far to concerned about their looks and how the worship team appears than the worship itself.

'Distracting', however, depends on the people you're leading.

I've found that I have to 'become all things to all people' when leading worship. For instance, when leading junior high retreats, I can't play slow songs. Otherwise, the kids are less likely to engage and more likely to become distracted by those around them. This isn't every junior high group, but in general, that is what I have found.

I attend a church that is located in the center of a large city. 30 seconds from the front door is an American Apparel.

I mean, we're talking metro city.

If someone who dresses in 'indy' clothes plays for a group of people who tend to dress that way as well, there is more of a chance that no one will care, notice or focus on it.

When someone who dresses that way plays for a more traditional crowd, it's obviously going to be distracting.

My church puts absolutely no emphasis on dressing nice for church. If someone came and led worship wearing a suit and tie, though, he would easily stand out. However, in a more conservative church, like mine back home, he might be dressed 'normally'.

I understand that many young worship leaders dress that way, but Scripture tells us to hope and believe in others.

Many times, people who are musical end up hanging around a more artsy crowd. Many of my friends dress like that because it's an influence, not a 'I want to look good!' choice.

If you find that your worship leader is distracting, talk to them about it. Nicely. Tell them that it seems more of a show than worship.

If they are genuine, they will take your advice to heart. After all, a worship leader's desire should be to become invisible so that He can be glorified.

After worship, I often ask people if they were able to worship, if they found anything distracting, etc. They give me input, I pray about it and then work from there. I think that by just looking at someone's clothes, you miss a lot about them. They might be asking the same questions and simply haven't heard, 'Your style distracts me.' yet.

To some, it might seem like a no-brainer. Duh, you dress crazy. But, again, it might just be who they are and not what they are hoping to look like.

Be direct so that you can discern the intentions of their hearts and see change.

Let Him be glorified in worship; whether it be music or the way we handle things.

Definitely lots to think about. Thank you.

Vivian brings up great points. I want to go deeper though about something she said, "Do we REALLY need to be thinking of, and analyzing our worship leaders like this?"

In regards to Stuff Christians Like website, no. But should we really analyze our worship leaders? yes. Let's take it a step futher, should we really analyze our worship leaders in regards to how they dress and how they act? I say, yes.

I know that this can be a super sensitive subject to many, and Michelle is right that it hits close to home for some. Jon Acuff's humourous checklist is simply a by-product of what many already "know". But the reason we should be aware of how we dress and act is because worship leaders convey a message to people, intended or not. And if that message is lock-step with the world then the gospel we are trying to convey gets muddied and blurry.

A few weeks ago I attempted to approach this subject in a more serious way. Simply because I have not seen anywhere anyone taking on this subject in a meaningful way. I've already offended a few people, but I think the truth has a way of doing that sometimes.

Here's my blogpost about this subject for anyone interested: http://sounddoxology.blogspot.com/2010/04/effeminate-worship-leader.html

I'm glad this blog has called attention to this subject