Pandora Inspired Worship

Pandora radio has ruined listening to an actual radio.

I still listen to the radio in the minivan (especially, WAY FM out of Nashville). You might even listen to XM radio (I'm way too cheap to pay for that). But it's only Pandora radio if I'm around wifi or on the computer.

Pandora allows you to hear the songs, artists, and genres that you want and then tailors your channels to your likes even further. Local radio stations can't compete.

Hearing the music I want and then being introduced to new music based on my likes is the stuff that makes fairies fly.

Not only that but you can pass up a song or give it a thumbs down to rid yourself of music you don't like. (Of course, there's only one way to give a thumbs up or down and that's with the same grit as Chuck Norris did in the movie Dodgeball.)

And Pandora is free.

What's better than free?

It doesn't cost money, but it has cost us something.

Pandora has had such an affect on me that I'm much more critical of music.

If I don't like a song, it's thumbed down with the authority of God and booted out for an eternity.

However, you can't do that when listening to live music.

I'm much more critical of songs I don't like in worship now.

When you're used to having God-like powers, it's difficult to listen to music that doesn't tickle your ears. It feels as if your ears will bleed.

I get that the song isn't about me; it's about God. But don't get all super spiritual on me.

There are some songs that your spirit is going to be able to connect with more with than others.

Don't believe me? Just asked the people who had to sing Psalm 119 at the temple. Nobody wants to sing that one. Or go and try to listen to Lord I Lift Your Name on High one more time.

You have likes and dislikes and Jesus is okay with that.

Churches could learn from Pandora.

On new songs the band could play a thirty second musical solo after the first verse and chorus. (The band will love this.)

This will give the congregation time to respond to whether they like it or not.

The worship leader can take a quick looksy to see the reaction.

Thumbs up, thumbs down, and neutral (or as I like to call it-not paying attention).

A like or dislike if you will.

Majority wins.

Unfortunately, if the song isn't liked they still have to finish it. (It would be rude to ask them to stop in the middle of the song.)

If it's liked then it's the worship pastor's job to tailor the likes of the congregation further (with the guidance of the Holy Spirit). If it's dislike, it's zapped.

Obviously, Pandora is really messing with me. I suppose the easiest way to overcome a song you dislike is to try and get lost in worship. But my mind wanders a lot.

Are you more critical of music since the rise of Pandora and other listening experiences?