Wearing Sunglasses In Worship: To Do or Not To Do
Over at QuietTime.tv I began posting a few personal thoughts and devotional insights while wearing my shades. I’m not necessarily one to go overboard when trying to be “cool” but thought from the get-go that wearing shades would make my vids stand out just a little more…and so far they have.
QuietTime.tv is a new site where you can post thoughts on your personal devotions, encouragements, prayers, songs, etc. I love the idea because it’s a very focused video sharing site similar to youtube, but definitely strategic in its purpose.
Anyways, John, the founder posted a response to one of my videos and asked me if I wear shades during “Worship” - I posted my thoughts back.
Anyways, today, I thought I’d throw the question out there and see what the community says.
DO YOU or WOULD YOU wear sunglasses during a worship set and WHY or WHY NOT?
Our entire team just wore shades and/or athletic headbands to go along with our theme for this message series. For me, a definite go for it! It was strategic and helped convey a look visually. It’s a grainy cellphone image but you get the idea.
I’ve also just implemented the seesmic plugin here on RussHutto.com, so I’d love to hear and see your comments in video format.
Also, if you don’t mind, please wear your coolest sunglasses while responding, so that we can all see what shades you would wear if you would indeed wear them during a worship set. Wearing Sunglasses In Worship: To Do or Not To Do “}
August 11th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I once sat next to a woman at GCC who was moaning about some guy wearing a hat in the front row. She said “REAL Christians don’t wear hats in church. It’s disrespectful”
Just then our worship leader walked out..ready to start singing..wearing a hat.
Classic!!! I love it when people just wear what they want to wear, as long as it covers more than saran wrap & a rubber band would.
August 11th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
@Mandy, that’s funny. When I was about 18, I experienced a direct comment like that. My Dad was pastor of the church I was at at the time, and she said, as I walked into the KITCHEN part of the church, “I bet your dad would get all over you if he knew you were wearing a hat in church!”
My response: Show me in the Bible wear it says I shouldn’t wear a hat in church and I won’t.
It probably wasn’t the most respectful thing to say to someone who might be considered my elder, but then hey, she was like, “Well, it’s just disrespectful to the Lord…”
My response: “If I’m not mistaken, most jewish men would cover their heads when they prayed as a sign of RESPECT to the Lord.”
She had nothing.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
August 11th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
you mentioned not being able to see your eyes if you have sunglasses on. i instantly thought of all the times i have watched stevie wonder perform. he captivates me. brings me to tears. the music touches me. and ive never seen his eyes. but, i see and feel his passion come across. i think that is so important.
ive never actually worn sunglasses inside the building while on team. but when we used to meet outside in our park during the summer for church services i did. if wearing them then didnt bother people than it shouldnt in doors either. imho.
August 12th, 2008 at 11:43 am
@tam: SO true, so true. I’m not necessarily saying that it’s impossible to connect with an audience in shades. Stevie Wonder/Ray Charles both did it and they did it well. Maybe we could learn something from them. Countenance while important is only a piece of the puzzle. Passion (and even skill) plays a huge part as well.
August 12th, 2008 at 11:59 am
[...] so g’on and join the discussion here [...]
August 12th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I’ve only worn sunglasses when worshipping outdoors at a street meeting or outreach, I would not do it indoors for the reasons you mentioned, mainly to keep that connection with the congregation. Still one might argue they shouldn’t be focused on the musicians, anyway!
I like to keep an attitude of transparency when leading worship. I think sunglasses indoors would call attention to me that I don’t want.
Mike
August 12th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I am so for sunglasses in church.. why not?
You know it’s not about what wear to church…. it’s that YOU ARE AT CHURCH!!
I think if we get so tied up into what we are wearing then we forget what is purpose of being there. Trust me at 5:30 a.m. in my gym clothes, unbrushed hair and teeth on my morning walk at the beach, God doesn’t care what I look like, it’s that I got to the beach to worship Him.
Great post!!
August 12th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I got all bent out of shape this past sunday when my worship leader took the stage without his shades on…the nerve! haha…
Really, I think God looks at the heart, not the eyes…unless your eyes are looking at something they shouldn’t be, in which case you should poke them out.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
@Mike, good thoughts. That’s typically how I lean.
@Heidi: Very true. I’d actually wear my shades everywhere if my wife would let me!!
@nate: SWEET! We are a very casual church (untraditional/informal), jeans and tees are the norm. Shorts and flip flops too. It’s funny though, I did get a few funny looks when I put my shades on this past Sunday.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
It all depends on why you are wearing them.
If you’re wearing them to emphasis a particular sermon theme - then fine.
If you’re wearing them because a beam of sunlight always crosses your eyes during the service - then fine.
If you’re wearing them because you want people to notice how cool you are - then maybe not so fine.
It all depends on why you are wearing them. God knows. Don’t mess with Him.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
@Alastair: So true. God looks at our motives more then our accessories, eh?
August 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
hmm….
first, it’s a question of motive. as a musician/worship leader, i constantly fight the performance mentality… our culture is overrun with image. and musicians have an “image” that comes with the industry. could getting sucked into a rockstar “image” help or hinder the worship leader’s battle to make it about God and not him/her?
second, i think it also depends on the individual church’s culture. if the church is highly “seeker” oriented, then musicians carrying that pop image might be an evangelistic edge.
but, for my current church, well… we are not as seeker oriented, and i would probably offend a LOT of people if i wore sunglasses.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
@MandyT: for sure.
We meet in a movie theater, use a rock band set, use a ton of media, and have a simple but killer lighting setup. Shades in that setting probably look more normal than they do on the organ player in a stone cathedral or country church.
As far as the performance thing, I totally get what you’re saying, but lately I’ve been struggling with that whole line of thinking myself. Maybe it’s because of the evangelistic nature of our gatherings, but the more I ponder this the more that I believe it’s okay to admit that as a musician I’m inherently a performer. It’s what I do.
So if I’m a performer, then I want my performances to be the best they can be while simultaneously being an offering of worship to God. Is that possible? I believe it is.
It goes back to what I believe is the common thread of most of these responses: motive.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
welllll, as much as i hate to say it…i would agree with mandythompson on both motive and the church…i could most likely where whatever i care to…though i did have a young lead player show up in gym shorts and a t-shirt…no socks, shoes or sandals…i did hear about that one…i asked him to atleast where some cargo shorts next time…
i would press on with something that Francis Chan said in a sermon, when addressing his attire for preaching…he wants to be the same person seven days a week…he doesn’t want to be someone he’s not when he’s at church on sunday(my paraphrase)…i think that is huge…if i’m trying to be some one else on sunday, am i worshiping in Spirit and in truth…?
August 12th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Russ: great point about performing - but the trap with performing is that we can begin to feed our own egos and seek our own glory rather than diverting all glory to God… yes. i’m sure you’d agree with this. and i’m sure you know that we struggled through all these issues when at the Gathering Place. the lights. the kids. the applause. the energy. the pressure for excellence. but, that venue was very different… frustrating for my soul, and different.
JonMark: why hate agreeing with me?! LOL!!!
August 12th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
@jon mark: definitely motive is key. I think that’s what’s funny for me in this situation is that it would actually be normal for me to wear shades in worship, I wear them almost all the time.
@MandyT: yes, of course, if we perform for ourselves (ego) then that’s a problem. I do think that whatever we do, whether it’s singing, preaching, greeting, painting, leading a group, children’s ministry, whatever…we’re “performing” to some degree.
First, for God, then for people. And it’s OK. It really is. I try and perform at my highest level as a musician and singer on Sundays for God and for people. Honestly, it feels good to do it right. But I think there’s a difference in being content and satisfied with what you and your team has “performed” and in having your ego stroked.
Motive is SOOO key. I think we should all be in a place where we can step off the stage on any given week and let the team lead without us. I did so two weeks ago and was so amazed at our team’s leading in worship and connection with our attenders…THAT is what it’s all about! They don’t even NEED me!! Haha.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
“they don’t even need me”…i love that! every time we do Your grace is enough…i joke with the band about the opening of the second verse…”You use the weak to lead the strong”…so true for me…
to actually answer the question…i would not wear them, because it’s not me…i would gladly wear a hat!!!
MandyT… hmmmm, let me see…yesterday you mocked me and today you slapped me upside the head…hmmmm…
August 12th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
@jon mark: ouch! looks like some friendly cage fighting is called for.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
that’s all figuratively speaking…on her blog…and i don’t know about the whole “friendly” thing…
August 12th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
@jon mark: HAHA.
August 12th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Hey Russ. Found your blog through Tam. I used to lead worship with my husband YEARS AGO and so I’m interested in these types of topics.
I don’t feel there is a right or wrong answer to this question. However, I’ve always felt that it’s the job of the worship leader to disappear up there on that stage so that the congregation might meet with their Creator and give Him the praise that is due. So for my husband and me, it was all about doing everything we could to NOT draw attention to ourselves but to just worship the Father and hope that others would follow suit.
But that’s just me
Have a great day!
August 12th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
reminds me of acting like I’m deep in prayer during a sermon, when really I’m fast asleep.
sure. go ahead. go for it. wear a hawaiian shirt and go barefoot as well.
August 12th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
You can’t hide from me. I still see into your heart.
August 12th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
August 12th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
GOD? is that You???
August 12th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
yes. I would leave a video of myself but you would all vaporize - sunglasses or not.
August 12th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
badguy : the hawaiian shirt and barefoot can only take place in a grass skirt…just sayin…
August 12th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Love what you said in the video Russ. I pretty much agree with what you said. I don’t have much of a problem with the theme idea, but maybe it was unnecessary for the sunglasses in the whole set.
I do think sunglasses would distract many in the congregation and the interaction between the band and the congregation would be much less I would think.
August 12th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
‘nother thought. dont know if its in the comments above. but one of the vocalists i sing with has quite a flare for fashion. she owns a little boutique here in town and is very trendy and bold. she commented on her own pants this weekend - the things were electric blue! i kid you not! and she just died her hair from its natural black color to blonde. so i wonder…what would be more distracting…electric blue spandex (yes, spandex) black to blonde hair - or - sunglasses? maybe either or, maybe both, maybe none. anything can be a distraction. we can not please the masses. we never will. i know its been said over and over, but its a heart issue. my fellow vocalist friend is all about being God focused! she is an intense worshiper and very passionate about drawing others in…and she does best, by simply being herself. people can spot authenticity - but they’re looking for counterfeits. if youre trying to put on a show - you’ll crash and fall.
hows that for some randomness. oh yah!
August 12th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
August 12th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
@everyone Thanks for the thoughts! We got some funny looks, but you havw to know the atmosphere of our worship set to really get that the shades probably weren’t a huge distraction.
We don’t do the typical charismatic/contemporary fast then slow worship set for 20-45 minutes.
We do 3 high energy songs and then move right into transitions to messages.
More worshipful tunes happen at the end or during our special nights of worship…at those I probably wouldn’t ever wear shades.
And again shades or not, it’s about connecting with God and with people. If it’s to be “hip” you might as well wear a white belt, vans, and a olive drab castro hat.
August 12th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
papa - i love you!!!
August 12th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Look at this mess you’ve welcomed into your site Russ
Haha!
I would be one to stray from the glasses. To me, if they are not for actually blocking the sun, there has always been an attitude behind them. That’s fine. If they are worn indoors, it is clearly for a fashion statement. I tend to believe that we can set aside our personal statements while we are attempting to declare God’s.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Let me be clear though…what you guys were doing was for a statement. I thought that was fun. for general use though, probably not necessary.
August 12th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
sunglasses == statement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHa_jqxnn4o
August 12th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
@brent: definitely, a fun mess! welcom to the party.
@indianpapa @tam: I’m blogging from my phone so I’ll catch those vid responses a bit later.
August 12th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Bad, there’s a lot of wisdom here…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9p0Ac5bLlI&feature=related
August 12th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
@indianpapa: I love you man!! Great vid response!
August 13th, 2008 at 9:06 am
jonmark is SO in trouble!!!!!!!!!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
[...] If you missed out on this funny discussion I’d still love to hear your opinions about wearing … [...]
August 13th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Dang, in the midst of a very busy week, this thing is BLOWING UP over here!
August 14th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
@Fred, that’s thanks to Tam over at inprogress throwing a little link love my way! My highest reader day yet.
August 16th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Heya - way too many people speak (or try to speak) on behalf of God. And that is what is wrong. God gave us a brain that makes each of us ‘individual’ and we all have a basic need to express our individuality. If an individual feels comfortable with his/her sunnies on, then surely it is far more important to that person’s attitude, that they be allowed to be themselves, rather than conforming to someone else’s idea of how God wants us to appear. Everyone who attends worship should be comfortable being there, otherwise fellowship can not exist. God says that He accepts all comers. Why shouldn’t we? (and no, I am not saying that we should not have standards)
August 17th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Bono once said, “It is impossible to worship God with sunglasses on.”
August 17th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Well, if Bono said that why on earth are we having this discussion?
August 17th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
@Alece: more specifically, Bono said, “Coolness might help in your negotiation with people through the world, maybe, but it is impossible to meet God with sunglasses on. It is impossible to meet God without abandon, without exposing yourself, being raw. That’s the connection with great music and great art, and that is why it’s uncomfortable, that is why cool is the enemy of it.”
I’m pretty sure it was metaphor. Meaning, to truly worship you have to be real, not a pretender.