IS IT EVER RIGHT FOR A PREACHER TO OPENLY EMBARRASS A MUSICIAN?

I came across a controversy (on my social media timeline) regarding a well-known bishop; requesting "another musician," in the middle of his (the bishop's) preaching. Controversies on social media are "a dime a dozen." And, there are just as many opinions being expressed. However, what struck a nerve with me, was when so many "uniformed" people began to downgrade "whooping" as "entertainment" or putting on a "show."

Granted, I agree that you do have a lot of performers in the pulpit. But, many of us are sincere; and do not approach the pulpit with a mind to "pull it." Every preacher's "whooping" is not pre-planned. Personally, I never get up to preach with a mind to "whoop." The Word just gets good to me and that ends up being the result. 

Yes, whether you call it "whooping," "squalling," "growling, "pulling it," etc; it is DEFINITELY an Afro-Centric cultural expression of the Gospel. And, there is NOTHING wrong with a cultural expression. There is NOTHING ignorant about a cultural expression. To downgrade and criticize it, is all a part of the long-term agenda of the West to develop self-hatred among those of African descent. Much like how we were FALSELY taught in school that Africa was the "dark" continent and everyone there lived in jungles and fought lions. 

We were also taught that any kind of emotion shown in a worship service was primitive or "show." To shout or "whoop" was considered an inferior worship style. Blacks were encouraged to "tone it down" and acquiesce to Western culture (to become more stoic, "dignified" and planned). That is also completely FALSE; there is NOTHING wrong with emotion and expression. 

People will say that Jesus never shouted nor got emotional. That's a poor argument. There are a lot of things Jesus didn't do. For example, Jesus NEVER WENT TO CHURCH! (Church buildings did not exist until at least 350 years after His ascension). So to say for people not to go to church because Jesus did not do it, would be preposterous. But, for those who say that Jesus never raised His voice while preaching, nor became emotional; please allow me to share with you what the Word says...

John 7:37 New Living Translation (NLT). On the last day, the climax of the festival, JESUS STOOD AND SHOUTED TO THE CROWDS, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!

Luke 10:21 The Message (MSG). At that, JESUS REJOICED, EXUBERANT in the Holy Spirit. 

The word exuberant is defined as, “filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement.” Thus, Jesus was not the stoic lecturer as Western culture would lead you to believe. At times He became LOUD and EMOTIONAL. Eastern culture was and is quite emotional and expressive.

The "call and response" that you see in the black church (where the congregation "talks back" to the preacher and the church "gets with" the choir) is THE SAME as that found in the culture of the Bible. Notice the following passages, where the congregation did not sit quietly as the preacher gave a lecture; they RESPONDED to what he had to say:

Exodus 19:8. THE PEOPLE ALL RESPONDED TOGETHER, "We will do everything the LORD has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.

Exodus 24:3. When Moses went and told the people all the LORD's words and laws, THEY RESPONDED with one voice, "Everything the LORD has said we will do."

Exodus 24:7. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. THEY RESPONDED, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey."

Psalm 106:48. Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. LET ALL THE PEOPLE SAY, "AMEN!" Praise the LORD.

Now a person may furthermore argue and say, "Hankerson, I can get the 'call and response' part; but where in the Bible do you have it where a musician 'backs up' a preacher?" According to the Scriptures, the music ministry is closely related to the ministry of the proclaimed Word:

2 Kings 3:15-16 English Standard Version (ESV). 15 But now bring me a musician.” AND WHEN THE MUSICIAN PLAYED, THE HAND OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM. 16 AND HE SAID, “THUS SAYS THE LORD, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’

THE BIBLE IS RIGHT! Again, we must remember that the culture of the Bible and the origin of Black culture is from the East. Stories and facts were passed down orally through song and 'call and response,' long before they were written down. To do so was NOT ignorant. This is also historically how information and theology has been passed down through the black church experience. To not recognize this fact; is really what IS ignorant.

Now, to the question at hand; is it ever right for a preacher to openly embarrass a musician. While I cannot address the specifies of the viral video (because I was not there); as a preacher, I will say that there have been many times that I have had to (discreetly) ask a musician to stop playing while I am preaching (Note: that I can preach without music). Normally, it is due to the fact that they are distracted (on their cell phone for example - even as many preachers are guilty of same thing) or their skill level is more of a distraction than an asset. (Honestly speaking: I have even come across some musicians high on "weed," WHILE THEY ARE PLAYING in a worship service!) The Bible states that music should be played with excellence:

Psalm 33:3. Sing to him a new song; PLAY SKILLFULLY, and shout for joy.

Yes, the Bible does admonish us to be kind to each other; which would cause us to avoid seeking to embarrass anyone before hundreds of people:

Luke 6:31. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Romans 12:10. King James Version (KJV). BE KINDLY AFFECTIONED ONE TO ANOTHER with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

But, in the time that we live in, that sense of community, family and brotherhood has eroded from the church. We treat church as a business now; not as the family of God. Yes, you must have business and administration in the church; but many preachers will not preach now without a signed contract guaranteeing a certain amount of money - and for many musicians a worship service is nothing more than a "gig" to make money. While I do believe the laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Timothy 5:18); SHAME on BOTH the preacher and the musician who would only focus on the "Almighty Dollar."

So since we have (in many cases) eroded to a business relationship only in the church; there may be cases where the "employer" just may make an open demand of an "employee," which can be embarrassing. Thus, it is up to the "employee" to pay attention and do what is necessary to keep the "boss man" happy. Thus, the musician would need to pay attention to key changes, cues from the preacher, etc., and not be distracted. The Bible also addresses this:

Ephesians 6:5-8 The Passion Translation (TPT). 5 Those who are employed should listen to their employers and obey their instructions with great respect and honor. Serve them with humility in your hearts as though you were working for the Master. 6 Always do what is right and not only when others are watching, so that you may please Christ as his servants by doing his will. 7 Serve your employers wholeheartedly and with love, as though you were serving Christ and not men. 8 Be assured that anything you do that is beautiful and excellent will be repaid by our Lord, whether you are an employee or an employer.

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