At the churches I visit, as people come in slowly, as they arrive late, I often go up to the men in particular with a cup of coffee in my hand to offer them.  I don’t ask if I can chat (after doing servant evangelism for over 20 years you learn a few tricks about connecting with people).  I simply say, “Do you take your coffee black or with sugar or what?”  Then I say, “We haven’t met yet have we?”  Of course we haven’t – I’ve never been there, and it’s likely we never will ever meet again.

I introduce myself a bit.  Eventually, I ask men this question, “So why do you come late each week?  You can tell me the truth – I’m only here one week – I don’t know who you are.  You can be completely honest with me…”  It is amazing how consistent men are when they answer me.  Almost always they lean forward, they look right, look left, lower their voice then speak…

“The God’s honest truth is, I CAN’T STAND THOSE INCESSANT SONGS THEY SING HERE!  My wife told me I’d get used to the songs, but hey, it’s been several months (or even years) now and I still don’t like this singing stuff.”
Then I usually hear one of two things, that they are either:

1. Bored stiff while the singing is going on, or;
2. They feel the songs are too "girly."

Some reading this might think, “I suspect those guys aren’t believers yet.”  I thought this as well for a while.  But in many cases, these guys definitely know the Lord.
 
This is tough to hear for those of us who love worship as it exists now, but we have essentially castrated worship, calling it “Contemporary Worship.”  True, few would go for this style if we called it “Castrated Worship” or Contemporary Castrated Worship, but it seems to me to be the truth.
 
To quote one of the great lines in film history, the character Howard Beale, from the film Network, “I know things are bad – they’re bad every where – for everyone.  If you can relate to me, get up, right now, wherever you are.  Go to your window right now.  Open that window and yell as loud as you can, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it any longer!” To the shock of network execs, everyone watching the news that evening, heard about Beale’s moment of gritty honesty and changed channels.
 
We have such a moment now, as leaders in the Church.  The vast majority are mad as "H-E-Double Hockey Sticks" and aren’t going to take it any longer.
 
I am not the answer man.  Only God himself has the answers.  Our role?  To go back to the well and hear from him.  I know what we are NOT to do, merely copy others who are innovating.
 
Below is what I am seriously pondering doing instead of doing what is obviously dead in the water (AKA, the current worship scene):
 
Thought!  What if we had:
1.  “Pre-Worship” with 2-3 songs done by a cover band with songs that were of the kind that all of us could sing from memory.  We put together a cover band.  James Taylor has many songs that might well be focused upon Jesus like “How Good It is To Be Loved By You.”  We could come up with an initial set of say 100 songs that are “safe” or slightly adjusted – we call it “Sister Act Worship” until someone comes up with a better term.
2.  Plugs – (never ever again use the word “announcements” or I will need to rent a Silk Worm shoulder launched missile and take out your steeple! – when people hear the “A” word they shut down and do not listen… guaranteed!)  Use a “Happy happy” person to do these – probably an ex-cheerleader – not like President Bush though – probably a woman who is bubbly and super warm and inviting.  Only plug 2 at the most 3 things – and then only things that apply to the vast majority of your people.  Use some sort of LCD graphics to go with the plug.
3.  Anointed, Passionate, Practical Message.  Look at the three adjectives here.  If you are not ready with all of these, give your weekend spot to someone else who is at least passionate.  Your time length?  NO MORE THAN 25 minutes.  It’s not about you – it’s about the people and their capacity to listen and retain what they hear.
4.  Post Worship – key word – simple.  Forget the band thing at this point.  Get someone with a guitar or someone on a piano, but make sure they are really great at leading others into God’s presence.
Drop all the complex songs.  Most of the new worship songs are very complex; maybe it is time to return to some classic songs that many today have never heard.
Sing only songs that are sung to God, never about God.
Just do 2 or 3 songs, tops.
 
As you do the second or third song, take up your offering.  Mention how the gathering is going to proceed during your plugs.