Wearying the Worship Leader - part 2

PLEASE START BY READING PART 1

"Young man!!!! Young man!!!! " Joe groaned as she rushed to him, stopping nearly nose to nose. "That music was too loud, too fast and too new."

"Hello, Mrs. Edmonton." Joe forced a smile. "Was there a problem with the service today?"

"Where did you get those songs? I didn't know a single one of them!"

"Well, we did sing one of them last week. And the others are part of our regular worship repeto..."

"I didn't know any of them! What happened to the songs we sang when Peterson was worship leader here? He always sang stuff I liked. And I only like songs I already know, son. Worship should be like a warm blanket, cozy and familiar. Stop singing those new songs and 'give me that old time religion!'

He wanted to laugh. He had met Peterson. And he knew that she had felt the same way when Peterson led worship services. He warned Joe about her. "But ma'am, the scripture says to sing a new song..."

"Don't be talking doctrine to me. I don't care about all that. I can't feel doctrine! And I can't feel the spirit when you do those new songs. Those old songs are like..."

"... A warm blanket... yes ma'am, I know." She stormed away, leaving Joe even more frustrated than before. He thought about Joshua, Moses and the children of Israel. How long till this generation passes away?

RJ liked that thought. He wished he had thought of saying it himself. But it was just further evidence that the discouragement was starting to have the desired effect. "Joe actually had that thought with no help from me! Excellent! He is definitely becoming infected."

RJ ushered more parishioners towards Joe. "No, ma'am, I didn't realize the music was so loud. Yes sir, I do check out these songs in scripture. Yes, I like hymns, and we do do them from time to time. No, we can't turn the guitars up louder and rock the house..."

Rolling on the floor, RJ couldn't help laughing with delight. Soon Joe would be covered and stuck in the muck and the mire of discontent from others. Then he'll carry that frustration and pain home and pour it on his wife and kids until the entire situation... stinks. What a beautiful setup!

"My name is RJ," he giggled to himself, "And I specialize in spreading crap. And at this rate, this guys walk with the Lord will be in the toilet. He'll be so mad at the congregation, that he won't want to lead them in worship. Or if he does, he will do it with resentment, anger and frustration. That will transfer across the spiritual connection, to the worship team, the church, his family.... And if I can do this just right, I might even be able to get him to fuss and yell at the congregation for "not worshipping right!" and rush the resentment along like the roaring rapids of a river! What a glorious day!"

RJ couldn't help himself! He began to sing his favorite song "dun dun dun...another one bitest the dust". He tried to catch his breath and wipe away the tears. He took a moment to close his eyes and bask in the soon-to-come praise he would receive from his fellow discouragers. And that is probably why he never saw it coming.

To Be Continued in Part 3