OK, So I Really Like This
Saturday, July 25th, 2009This video has been making the rounds, and there has been no small discussion concerning it. I know it will drive many pastors nuts. In their defense, the insanity that accompanies weddings makes them among the least favored pastoral duty with a lot of pastors.
In defense of this video, technically, a wedding isn’t a worship service. They are also notorious for being stressful, boring, and emotionally draining.
The folks in this video look truly joyful to be there. These people want to be married, and their friends are gladly supporting them.
Is it my style? No. My wedding was straight out of the hymnal and I am proud and happy to have done it that way, but my hat is off to some really happy and creative people.
By Pat K
I have to disagree with your statement, “a wedding isn’t a worship service.”
Weddings done in a church (which this one was) are always worship services. They are done to the praise and glory of the Holy Trinity. In this service, the bride and groom, and the attendants, should be receiving the Word of God from the lips of a pastor. So, it is a worship service.
Also keep in mind that it was quite common, until more recent history, to include the wedding service as part of a normal Sunday morning divine service.
It may be a “cute” video or one that we chuckle at, but that sort of behavior in church does not glorify God and does not put the focus on the reception of Christ and his gifts to us.
Sam, I respectfully disagree. Yes, a wedding is a worship service, but there is room (and necessity) for joy in worship. David danced before the Lord in celebration of a great accomplishment. Finding your lifemate is a great accomplishment, and expression of joy before the Lord is a wonderful thing.
Of course there is room for joy in worship… but what is Christian about this.
Isn’t New Reformation Press an advertiser on Issues, etc. who proclaims that they are “Christ-centered, Cross-focused.” What exactly is Christ-centered and cross-focused about this little dance down the aisle?
Also keep in mind that this song is performed by Chris Brown, who was arrested earlier this year for beating his girlfriend. Here are the lyrics:
http://www.metrolyrics.com/forever-lyrics-chris-brown.html
Dancing down the aisle to these words, in a church, at your wedding? I don’t think so. Here are the words to the song:
Its you, and me
Movin at the speed of light into eternity (yeah)
Tonight, is the night
To join me in the middle of ectacy
Feel the melody and the rhythm of the music around you (around you)
Chorus:
Its like I waited my whole life
For this one night
Its gon be me you and the dance floor
Cuz we only got one night
Double your pleasure
Double you fun
And dance forever ever ever
Verse 2:
Feels like were on another level (ohh ahh)
Feels like our loves intertwine
We can be two rebels
Breakin the rules
Me and you
You and I
All you gotta do is watch me
Look what I can do with my feet, baby
Feel the beat inside
Im drivin, you could take the front seat (front seat)
Just need you to trust me (trust me)
Girl girl girl
Its like now
Interestingly enough all the weddings I went to were performed by sinners who had rebelled against the Creator of the Universe.
Also we have no idea on what the rest of the wedding was like. I’m sure the entrance is not the center or focus of a wedding.
After some consultation with my pastor, I stand corrected-any wedding performed in a church or invoking the name of God is a worship service.
As to the performer of the song or the congregation at which this took place, I had no knowledge whatsoever, and I think these factors are somewhat somewhat off topic. The question at hand is “Were these things appropriate regardless of the style of music and the lyrics, or which denomination the congregation belongs to?” The consensus seems to be “No.”
Personally, I am a high liturgy guy, and will not darken the door of a church that does ‘contemporary worship.’ My wedding was very liturgical. You can read the sermon that Pastor Cwirla preached at my wedding here:
http://blog.higherthings.org/wcwirla/The%20Sermonator/occasional/wedding.html
What can I say? I liked the video. That does not mean I advocate throwing out the liturgy, or a ‘roll your own wedding in the church’ kind of thing.
The video is fun. I think this type of thing would probably fit the wedding reception better. If you need some “naughty boy” shock value, maybe get someone to play-act the part of an uptight wedding coordinator and have her go into shock.
Pat K, I really like it too. This is a celebration of marriage.