Worship through Music: An Examination of “Canvas and Clay”
Worship music is one of the most celebrated and performed contemporary musical practices in the world today. Contemporary Christian churches from a wide range of denominations use this music as an element of their weekly celebrations and services, masses and gatherings, retreats and youth nights. But what does it mean to lead worship? How does a congregation gain the most from a worship experience? Some of the key elements of a worship music piece are the songwriting and composition, staging and setting, and audience etiquette. This examination of “Canvas and Clay” by Pat Barrett featuring Ben Smith will highlight and identify how the environment, the experiential elements of the congregation, and the influence of instrumentation within this style of music help to achieve the intention of the performance: prayerful, yet uplifting meditation.
To create a truly memorable and prayerful worship experience for a congregation and a worship band, creating an environment of comfort and inclusion is of utmost importance. While leading worship music at a church or from a stage can certainly be powerful, this performance of “Canvas and Clay” is truly remarkable as its setting has the worship band almost eye level with their congregation, surrounded by bookshelves, carpets, low ceilings, lamp lighting, that almost provide a feeling of a living room or coffeehouse. The low lighting also allows people more of a comfort to sing along and be a part of the worship without feeling as though attention is on them. Pat Barrett, leading on voice and guitar, and members of the band are dressed casually. Barrett is notably wearing a black t-shirt, jeans and sneakers — casual, comfortable, and not distracting. This is not to say that this is always the case in a worship music setting, as some churches have grander staging, bright stage lights, large auditoriums, etc. and are capable of creating a prayerful atmosphere. However, the setting of “Canvas and Clay” as shown here is an example of how intimacy and comfortability in worship is effective in creating an environment for worship.
Throughout the recording of this worship experience, there are moments shown of the congregation praying along to the music. As in most contemporary Christian worship events, posture and mimetic gestures can have an impact on connection to the moment. The congregation can be seen standing, often with their arms extended upward or outward, palms open and ready “to receive.” Moreover, members in the audience can be heard singing along, and speaking out over the music. While in some musical styles this would be distracting and discouraged by performers, in worship this is vastly welcomed when the listener takes on this imitation. Even in the more spontaneous moments of the worship experience, for example at the breakdown when Pat Barrett enters into prayer with just his voice, the guitar, and a drown-pad to fill out the sound’s texture, you can hear people in the room shouting out in agreement with his statements, echoing his words, becoming a part of the prayer and a part of the worship. These are all signs that the experience beyond just listening to the music is influencing the prayer and practice of the listener.
While the environment and etiquette of these events naturally encourages such congregational gestures, the composition of the music and the larger framework of the ensembles following the leader all play a major role in creating these worship moments. Referring back to the breakdown when Pat Barrett is in prayer, as he brings in the statement “If it’s not beautiful, You’re not done with me,” people begin to sing along. The harmony of this musical moment is simple, almost a rocking between two chords — building tension and relieving it — allowing the congregation to easily join into this mimetic experience and follow his lead. Within that there is give and take from the worship leader, as Pat Barrett leans into his playing, increasing intensity as more people join in, and the band add in a little at a time until the full sound of the ensemble returns.
Ultimately, there are many ways to serve a congregation and create an amazing worship experience that go beyond the parameters of just the music or performance alone. Worship music is about creating comfort for a faith experience, creating an atmosphere of peace and prayer, and creating an opportunity for a congregation to become a part of something bigger than themselves.
