Earplugs in Church? (Church Culture, Pt. 2)

This week we are talking about things we do at Vertical to create the proper environments and culture that we feel make us who we are. Yesterday we shared the reason behind why we don't let people sit wherever they choose. Today we will talk about the effect that our music volume has on Vertical culture.

At Vertical we like our music a little louder than a lot of churches. How loud? Loud enough that you can sing out and not feel like everybody around you is listening to you (and all of the people who can't sing said "amen"!). We have great sound technicians who work hard to ensure that our sound is full and consistent from week to week.

One of the things that is difficult about music volume is that people's opinion is subjective and personal. Not everyone likes their music the same volume and with that in mind we have made the conscious decision to let the volume of our music be defined by the people we are trying to reach. This means that a few people thinking it is too loud is not reason to turn it down in such a manner that it affect our what we believe Vertical Worship sounds like. Our worship to Jesus is alive, loud and vibrant. With this in mind we decided to make earplugs available to anyone who feels that our music is too loud.

Really? Am I suggesting that people who think the music is loud to wear earplugs? The first thing I suggest is that they don't enter the auditorium to sit near the speakers. But if that doesn't do it for them I absolutely suggest the earplugs. I give a shout out to all of those who have impressed me with their maturity. We have some who have decided to put others ahead of themselves because they understand WHY we are louder.

For the record, I have had quite a few older people who LOVE Vertical worship and don't think we're too loud at all. (I even had one older person who was excited that he could hang without them). I think proper perspective makes all things bearable.

Our music, and the volume at which we play it, is definitely part of the culture of Vertical which is why we are pretty set on being a little on the loud side.

Comments

[Deb C]

Adam and I (sadly) are two people who don't like super loud worship. It vibrates in my stomach making me a bit sick and Adam gets headaches easily. BUT, I am TOTALLY DOWN with the earplug idea. And you're right..it is a personal thing. I wouldn't mind at all jamming at Vertical (with earplugs firmly in place). :-)

[mike p]

Deb,

You will be happy to know that our worship is nowhere near what people would call "super loud worship", remembering that volume is definitely subjective to an individual. We work really hard to have a very full sound without being overly loud. I think the only people who would truly think we're loud are people who are only used to quiet church :-) everyone who is used to the music they listen to having "life" both personally and at church wouldn't think anything about our volume.

Always good to hear from you!

[Deb C]

I'm glad to know yall don't keep it "concert" loud. That's where I usually see the problem. And as a side-note, I don't like it super quiet either...makes me feel like it's a funeral rather than worshiping our Lord. :-) I do think it's funny that churches can literally split over issues like this instead of simply talking things out and compromising. :-) Keep up the good work! Maybe once we move to VA, I'll get to visit more often!

[mike p]

I'm with you on being too quiet... nothing sucks the life out of worship like it being too low... literally distracting in my opinion (which once again demonstrates we are dealing in opinion)

Thanks Deb.

[Sarinne Fox]

What a great way to live your principles while at the same time being welcoming to all! Some people really do have physical or neurological problems that make louder sounds very unpleasant, and you are wonderfully thoughtful to be respectful and accommodating of them. Hopefully the people who do chose to wear earplugs will still enjoy and benefit from the energy level of the ones who express their enthusiasm by the volume of their voices!

[mike p]

Exactly! We know it's unrealistic that everyone will always be happy but hopefully we can do our best to accommodate people's needs without lowering that which is important to us. Thanks Sarinne.

[Mike West]

I was there last Sunday and loved it. A lot of the churches in Bladen, Columbus, and Robeson counties sound like a funeral service every Sunday. God didn't say to praise him with just organ music. Read Psalm 150.

[mike p]

Cool Mike. Psalm 150 is awesome!!! Let me say that we love all our sister churches in the Robeson, Bladen and Columbus region and hope to partner with them to reach this region. I hope that our difference from them will not be a division, but rather, make us all stronger as a team to reach people that those churches may not be positioned by Jesus to reach.

Thanks for the comment - looking to see you again!

[Chris Bennett]

If the worship be "loud", let it be "loud" in a way that pleases the Lord. If it be "soft", let it be "soft" in a way that pleases the Lord. In our view, "loud" worship doesn't guarantee authentic worship: and, likewise, "soft" worship doesn't guarantee authentic worship. We need to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth: and we don't know a Scripture that says that "loud" worship is *automatically* authentic worship. When you read Psalm 150, keep in mind that you need to apply correct interpretation and common sense. Yes, Psalm 150:5 reads, "Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals" (KJV). But we need to consider *how* God would like us to worship. Our worship needs to be authentic. Loud is not necessarily authentic.

For what it's worth... For those that don't like the idea of a low decibel level -- or even silence -- please consider this post:

"Some Things to Consider Including in Your Worship – Silence"

Website:
Religiousaffections.org/articles/articles-on-worship/including-worship-silence/

Given all of that, we don't see a reason that earplugs shouldn't be offered. If they're functional and safe to wear, then we see no reason why they shouldn't be offered. Some people have hyperacusis (sound sensitivity) or misophonia (Jastreboff and Jastreboff, 2006): see Misophonia-uk.org. Some people have tinnitus (a ringing in the ears). Some children are autistic, and a common symptom of the disorder of autism is that the child can't handle loud sounds. Thus, there are at least 3 different groups of persons who might benefit well from earplugs worn safely and properly, and we believe the church needs to recognize things like that.

What some churches have done, in order to accommodate different worship preferences, is have two (2) different worship services. The first might be akin to a rock concert. The second might attract people who might prefer different worship. Perhaps there are people who are at a point in life where they might benefit more from a "contemplative" worship. And, again, that worship should be authentic.

Thanks for listening.

[Carolynn]

I commend you for offering hearing protection at your services. As a hearing protection advocate who lost her hearing from overexposure to loud music, it's my passion to help make people safe or at least allow them choices.

If you are interested Etymotic has an affordable hi-fi earplug that allows everything to be heard clearly, just quieter. Made for musicians and music lovers.