3 Musicians can be guilty of fostering the use of music in worship as performance. Classically trained, constantly encouraged to perfect skills, often pointed toward performing for others, and pleased by enthusiastic applause from family and friends, musicians have been nurtured for excellence and rewarded in the act of bringing pleasure to listeners. In a non-worship setting, such has always been the norm. It is expected. It is appropriate, just as the same degree of professional focus is appropriate in the world of athletics, dance, or politics.
Organists have few places to demonstrate their skills except in the church.
Choir directors have more opportunities, as directors of community choruses, school and college choirs, and other amateur or professional choral groups. There are many ways to change the perceptions of a congregation. Church newsletters, adult education classes, youth meetings, and church school gatherings are only a few of the possibilities. If anthem texts are printed in the bulletin, having been chosen to reflect the readings and themes of worship, the connection of that music to the rest of worship can be made more obvious, indicating that the piece was not chosen as a musical interlude, to show the skill of the choir, or to provide variety for the assembled worshipers. When instrumental music is based on the hymns of the day, a similar connection can be made.