Unusual event with a piano player

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DEADn Aug 12, 2012

While in church this morning and the offering was being taken there was a guy playing the piano. Looked to be in his early 20's. He played the piano with deep skill and I thought to myself 'Are we playing Beethoven now?' When he was done the crowd applauded and the guest speaker, who is a district coordinator, was blown away and turned to the guy. They guy looked at the crowed and gave a quick way and walked off the stage rather quickly. It seemed like he didn't want to acknowledge the clapping. The guest speaker noticed this and said 'Well, I guess church is over now?'. He came back at the end and played once again as service was getting over. Later I noticed he was befriended by an older lady who complimented him on his playing.

Personally, I found the guy's actions to be selfish and a bit rude. It felt as if he did his duty and just wanted to get out of there and used the church to play his thing.

Now, I am not allowing this to get to me but I bring it forward to just get thoughts on it. Are my thoughts probably true or did I allow them to get the better of my thinking? I am really just curious because after today or even the next few days I will have it out of my mind.

sermonindex Aug 12, 2012

Personally, I found the guy's actions to be selfish and a bit rude. It felt as if he did his duty and just wanted to get out of there and used the church to play his thing.

In many churches they pay secular people to play music, solos, etc. So he could have not even been a Christian. That is a sad thing and I believe the Church has no right to hire such people to "entertain" the saints.

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roadsign Aug 13, 2012

Are my thoughts probably true or did I allow them to get the better of my thinking? I am really just curious because after today or even the next few days I will have it out of my mind.

The only way to have an idea of what may be going on in a musician’s heart is to get to know the person himself. And even then, you might be misunderstanding him. Really, it is not fitting for any of us to make a judgment on this musician’s behavior based on your own observations.

I am a classical musician, and I can tell you, I have been misjudged many times - especially in conservative churches. I would prefer that listeners simply allow the music to speak to their hearts rather than designate themselves as judges of my soul based on the way I move my arms or walk off the bench.

Personally, I found the guy's actions to be selfish and a bit rude. It felt as if he did his duty and just wanted to get out of there and used the church to play his thing.

I’m sorry that you drew these conclusions. From what you describe, I see no reason to judge him so severely. Skill and selfishness need not be synonymous. He sounds like a humble musician just wanting to bless the congregation wihtout any whooplaw.

If you really want to understand this musician better, why not invite him to your home, and get to know him. You might find yourself surprisingly enriched.

Diane

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DEADn Aug 13, 2012

It was just an observation on my part. I found it weird that he left the stage rather quickly. Not a big deal.

sermonindex Aug 13, 2012

Amen Diane. Good sound counsel.

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Sree Aug 13, 2012

In many churches they pay secular people to play music, solos, etc. So he could have not even been a Christian. That is a sad thing and I believe the Church has no right to hire such people to "entertain" the saints

If Churches can hire Pastors with just their educational qualifications rather than the Christlikeness in them why can't they hire muscians alone by their skills? Both are for entertainment any way.

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learn Aug 13, 2012

Honestly we don't really know the answer. When I first read the post, I was thinking maybe he was just very shy or he did not want people to praise him but rather give the glory to God--thus him walking away quickly. So I was quite surprised by the responses that came thereafter.

Diane, agree with BrotherTom ie good post.

sermonindex Aug 13, 2012

Was reading your post, and my very first thought was that he was embarrassed by applause, and left quickly to take the attention off himself and place it towards God. Now, first impressions aside, yes, only God knows our hearts.

sermonindex Aug 13, 2012

Oops Learn! Did not mean to say the same thing...interesting we got the same impression.

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elias7291 Aug 13, 2012

David Wilkerson over the years often told the congregation at TSC to "not clap" or give praise or the such. Some would view this as being prideful but more often than not it was his way of simply always making sure that the attention was towards the Lord and not himself.

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learn Aug 13, 2012

No problem LeePadah. Guess females are more 'generous/sensitive' in their asssessments. :)

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[by LeePadah on 2012/8/12 21:57:14
Oops Learn! Did not mean to say the same thing...interesting we got the same impression.]

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IssacharSon Aug 13, 2012

How funny, saints!

A few days after this thread started, I looked in the local classifieds and found that a church in my hometown is looking for a keyboard player!

Perhaps, others DID get the message. You never know!

Love-in-Christ,

KP

sermonindex Aug 14, 2012

There is nothing wrong with playing classical music in the four walls of a Church building, most classical music is melodious we shouldn't downplay talent.

God can be any music if He desires to, just because it's labeled "Christian" doesn't mean it's Christian. Even the old hymns can be dry and dead if the Spirit of God is not on them. There is "Power in the Blood", but that song can be just as dead because of everyday repetition as someone playing a classical piece on the piano, it's when God blesses it at that moment that it becomes something meaningful.

The same goes for sermons, one sermon can bless and illuminate one while the other says, "I got nothing out of it". What's happening? One is able to hear the other was not. Is there something wrong with the person who didn't hear? Not necessarily, that message may not be for them at that time.

I have heard classical music that is quite moving, some Christian others not, but God created man to appreciate music of all kinds providing that it has a melody. If it doesn't it's just noise.

The ministral that played before the prophet was a classical artist playing his instrument. The prophet instructed him to play and as he played the prophet prophesied.

The man who played the piano could have been a professional artist who was invited to that Church to play, and because it' wasn't "Christian" or because he didn't take a bow and acknowledge the piece does it mean that he is not a Christian? Does he have to be a Christian to play an instrument in a Church?

We judge to hastily.

When I sing spontanously wherever I am, most times it's a happy tune and hardly a Christian song but a joyous outburst of fanfare and the reason why I do it is because it always generates smiles and I love it when people smile.

How many people smiled that day when he tickled the ivory?

Paul says to give thanks in all things for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us.

And as the title puts it, it was an unusual thing that happened and may not happen again for a long while.

sermonindex Aug 14, 2012

So he could have not even been a Christian. That is a sad thing and I believe the Church has no right to hire such people to "entertain" the saints.

Oh brother why would you go and say such things? This is so unlike you brother Greg, it was not expected that such words should be uttered. If you search your heart diligently you'll know that this is simply not true. People can be Christian and play all sorts of things whether they be sacred or secular. Here is a young man that may not know any better, he was perhaps told to play that piece.

I speak from experience, if I had of said anything out of turn about this young man, the Lord would have severly taken me aside to thrash out the haste in condemning actions that I have no business uttering. Unless God speaks to us directly about this, we should say nothing until He does speak to us. When we are informed than we can do the Fathers business, but when we don't have instruction we will do what Saul didn't do, WAIT for Samuel. Saul went ahead in haste and commanded when he had no right to do such things.

I speak to you as a friend and brother, forgive me.

L

lindi1208 Aug 14, 2012

Hi Deadn

My initial feeling as I read your post was the pianist did not want to take the glory but wanted God to get the glory! Perhaps that could explain the behaviour of rushing off the stage! : )

Love in Christ