To Play or Not To Play, verse 3

Some folks who are against instrumental worship say it is because of the "look at me" factor. Now, on this point, I can understand where they're coming from. Maybe. Yes, there does exist the very real possibility that the main reason a musician is standing on that stage is for self-glorification. What most people don't seem to realize however is, 1.) That danger exists whether the worship is instrumental OR a capella, and 2.) the worship leaders at any given church are appointed by the church leadership, hopefully the Elders. However, it seems to me that anyone with much sense should be able to tell by attending a few services whether or not the worship leaders are trying to be "transparent" (i.e. giving all the glory and praise to God).
If it seems to you that they are in it to bring glory to themselves, my advice is to pray for them, approach them after church, shake hands with them, engage them in conversation, speak to them, ask them how much time and effort they put into preparing for the worship service, ask them what motivates them to get up there week after week and lead the congregation like that. Look them in the eye. Then see if you still think they're just in it for personal glory. And IF you still do, then go speak with an Elder. But whatever you do, don't you dare sit back there in your comfy ol' pew with your arms crossed, your face frowning, your tongue tsk-tsk-ing, and judge people whose hearts you don't even know. For one thing, you are commanded not to in the Bible (look it up). And secondly, YOU are supposed to be worshiping!
That's certainly on thing I don't understand. If everyone was busy doing what they were supposed to be doing, most people wouldn't have time to sit and judge what someone else was doing. Judging the worship leader's motives isn't really supposed to be your job.
It's God's.
In the same way, a worship style is not supposed to define you.
Christ is.
Some conservatives, (a word which here means "set in their ways"), argue that a capella worship is part of what sets us apart from those other people who think they're going to heaven, too. It's part of what defines us. It's part of our "heritage". I have only one thing to say about that. Would you prefer it if the government were still feeding us to the lions? That's part of our heritage too, right? How 'bout being burned at the stake? How 'bout being stoned to death outside the city? Hmmmm? Really? You really wanna hang on to all that "heritage"?
Finally, there's the "entertainment" argument. Yes, I agree that worship is not supposed to be entertainment. But that does NOT mean that it is wrong to get "enjoyment" out of it. Some of our worship songs reflect a spirit that is full of love for God, His creation, our neighbors, etc. Some songs reflect a spirit that feels triumphant, victorious, and filled with God's power. I have experienced these types of songs in both instrumental and a capella services. In both types, the feelings of exuberant joy and exaltation are the same!
Other songs are written to reflect more reverent attitudes such as humility, conviction, repentance, contrition, etc. They might bring images of how Christ suffered for our sins, how we are all guilty for causing the death of Jesus, and how completely and utterly lost and hopeless we would be without Him. They remind us of how much we need our Savior, which in turn reminds us of how much He loves us, and there we stand in helpless adoration, with tear-stained cheeks, realizing that we will never, ever, be worthy of the Gift, and the only thing we can do is accept it with undying gratitude. And again, I've experienced all of these feelings during both instrumental and a capella worship servcies.
My friend, worship is not a passive activity. One must participate. It is something you must DO, not something you feel. No, it is never supposed to be entertainment, but if it's never something you enjoy . . .

Well, I'll pray for you.