The fact that the oft-used word 'performance' is a problem to many who are involved in leading the music side of congregational worship, should flag up a warning to us all. I would add that the word 'performance' is a problem to many congregants observing what the music team is doing, because that is so often how it comes across. Even when the word 'act' is viewed as being better, it really isn't because people who put on an act are usually not being genuine; they are hoping to appear a certain way to others (whether acting in a stage play, or going through the motions of something expected of them). Only if the music is an integral, seamless part of the whole act of worship going on in the congregation is 'act' not a problem.
I speak from experience, first being a new member of a congregation in my mid-20s as a new Christian, then getting involved in the music side for many years, then changing denomination and being part of a Psalm-singing-unaccompanied congregation, and now having experienced two years of Covid-19 restrictions regarding church worship. Inbetween all of that, I sometimes went in the past to Pentecostal-type gatherings where the music band would be very loud and enthusiastic, with singers on the platform too, using microphones and really whipping up an atmosphere that others seemed to enjoy. Once, a young girl took to the platform, being backed as she sang a song solo, then everybody clapped at the end. That was a musical performance no different to any secular singer on a theater stage. She was being encouraged to start doing that (maybe because she had a good singing voice), she enjoyed the applause, and the audience enjoyed her performance.
A problem today is that most people in congregations where 'praise bands' are used have been conditioned by secular society into thinking entertainment is good, and can be 'adapted' by Christians to 'enhance' services of worship. An idea seems to prevail that if congregations are trendy enough, promoting the kind of music (or Rap) that teenagers adore, that will get young people attending. Another idea seems to be that atmospheres of worship require to be 'encouraged' by music and singing (usually at a level of decibels that hurt the ears of people with good hearing.) Then, when congregations are supposed to switch their feelings from happy, exuberant praise to quiet adoration, the band must enable them to do that.
I have one simple suggestion to make that could remove all performance and acting from services of worship. Let all who are 'leading' the praise/worship do so behind a closed door or drawn curtain so that nobody in the gathering can see them. Now, how keen would the musicians then be to do their music, only being heard but not seen? If they would be just as keen, then they would not be performers, acting a part to be seen and approved of by their fellows.
Then the music team could be called 'the supporting worship team', an integral part of the congregation, no different to the others in the building. They could then say, “We need to prepare to be ready for supporting worship.” Or, "We are prepared to be behind-the-scenes worshippers."
The merit of that latter phrase would be to ensure no attention was drawn to themselves, so that all the focus would be on the One being worshipped. Let's face it; many 'praise bands' are a total distraction. There. I've said it. Don't take it personally, brothers and sisters, for I include my own contributions in years past. And many preachers are also a total distraction (in certain 'evangelical' circles). You may view this last paragraph as a wake-up call.
