A few days ago, my family went to see the Draper Philharmonic perform Arise: Ignite the Praise. This was a Christian music event with choir, orchestra, soloists, children’s choir and ASL! It was very well done.
It was interesting for me to sit in an interfaith space and do some reflection. No doubt most of the people in the room were LDS, just judging by the looks of the demographic (80% of them retired age) and the fact that this is Utah.
And the prayer at the beginning was very stereotypical LDS!
But then they performed traditional, classical, and pop Christian music — specifically by artists that are well-known in the LDS sphere, like Nathan Pacheco, Andrea Bocelli, and Lauren Daigle.
For most of this time, the concert was pleasant. I enjoyed the talent of the soloists and the complexities of the score with all the layers of performers.
Did I “feel the spirit”? Maybe in an LDS way, meaning it was nice and sweet and about God.
But then a shift occurred.
They sang a much more Christian song. A cross was displayed on the screen and the lyrics to this song focused on the message of the cross and sanctification by grace alone.
No matter the bumps, no matter the bruises, no matter the scars, still the truth is: the cross has made, the cross has made you flawless.
I had never heard this song before. But I was floored.
The children’s choir director was right in front of me, facing me, singing and directing with a lot of animation and zeal. I could hear his voice singing these words repeatedly as they drilled into my mind.
And all these sweet kids lined up with candles, singing in the aisles. I hope they understood what that song was saying on some level. I hope if they are being raised LDS, this message will find its way into their psyche!
Because this was very much not an LDS perspective song.
The cross makes us flawless??? What?
You mean, just by itself?
The LDS equivalent would say “the priesthood ordinances and covenant path have made it possible for you to work to become flawless.”
And with this message, the Holy Spirit now truly flooded the room.
There’s a difference between singing pop songs that feel good about trusting God and praying for a peaceful world, and then actually singing songs that state the simple gospel message in its bold truth.
It was such a beautiful moment!
But on a side note—attending The Well has totally changed me! It was so hard to just sit in my chair and observe, when I wanted to stand, dance, clap, sway, and lift my hands to heaven in praise!
Worship is not a spectator event!
This felt so weird! I wanted to join them so bad. I needed to add my voice and my body language, to declare this good word.
Finally, at the end when we could stand to clap for the performers as they sang their finale piece, I was able to join for a moment and lift my hands in worship.
And then, with this applause. This also felt so weird. I mean, I know it was a concert, and the performers were amazing!! But this was about God. This was worship music.
And nobody led us to cheer or clap for God!
It’s a thing the more lively Christian churches do, I guess. And I admit it was really strange and even embarrassing as I felt irreverent having this done at The Well when I was new there.
But really, guys, we gotta cheer for Jesus.
How can I stand and applaud the musical talent of those on the stage, but not give credit to the One who provided that talent, gave them their faith, and was the center of every song they sang?
Did they sing for Him or did they sing for themselves?
When worship performers sing glory to God but then receive applause for themselves, something isn’t quite right. It’s just weird, that’s all I’m saying. Well, it was always perfectly normal …. Until I attended The Well, and I learned a better way.
So, all in all, it was an amazing performance. I’m really glad someone in Utah is doing a mainstream Christian thing without obvious LDS slant. Even a blatantly non-LDS slant! 🙌
All I Possess 