Prayer Transitions

For some reason I have been thinking about modern worship lately.  I have been a part of worship bands for about 15 years.  Reflecting back on my experience, and what I tend to see visiting numerous churches, I have come to realize there is a common practice that I now disagree with.  It is the prayer transition.  Anyone a part of modern service knows what I'm talking about.  The worship leader or the pastor has everyone bow in prayer, at which time the worship band takes or exits the stage.  It works wonderfully as a transition because even while the pastor is praying, the music can begin to play softly and can transition right into the final song.  Perhaps the music playing can even stir the affections of the pastor or congregation while in prayer.  (I believe there is a great link between music and spirituality, but that is for another time.)  For someone wanting the service to flow exceptionally smooth, almost like a stage production, then a prayer transition is an excellent device.

What I haven't seen in modern worship though is the discussion of whether this is acceptable.  When the musicians are entering or exiting the stage, their attention is distracted to make sure they don't make noise with their instrument,  watching their step, finding their seats amongst the congregation, etc...  Further, they serve as a distraction to the congregation because people will watch the busyness happening on the stage.  

Distraction is an issue, but I think there is a greater issue.  One of the key elements of the early church was being devoted to the prayers (Acts 2:42).  If prayer is being used as a transition, you have several people who are not being unified with the rest of the body in prayer.  Worse yet, those who are disjointed are identified as worship leaders.  They, at best, are following behind the rest of the people in prayer.  But in my experience, once the band is on the stage, the rest of the prayer time is used to make sure everyone is on the same page.  If any changes are to be made, its passed along during this time.  Guitarists may make sure their strings are in tune.  Any number of things might take place during that time, but rarely is it what should be done: prayer.

Why is this a common practice? Simply put, because we care more about the show and looking "professional" than being biblical. Why else do we look to the world and businesses for our church practice and ideas in leadership? We float near the shore where we think we are grounded only to find when we finally look around that we have drifted out to sea. Now I know many great worship leaders and band members, all of whom would never say they intend harm to the church by their practice. Truth is, God has sought fit still to bless many churches with such a practice. But does that make it right? Or does it show our God is gracious despite our negligence?

I don't suspect this post will stir any church or worship leader to reconsider its practice, but in all my years of involvement in worship, I've never heard this concern raised. If, for anything else, this issue needs to be discussed. Maybe it has and I missed it, but then again maybe it hasn't, to which it would be great to start it.