Contemporary Worship Services

[Salt]

In a previous post I mentioned that some lyrics to contemporary songs are unbiblical and thus rob the cross of power because worship is done in truth (John 4:24) Then I went on to mention that many Christians grew up with the fine musical arts in the church with a Hammond or pipe organ, piano, and mainly hymns. Such worship was conducive to a reverent and holy fellowship with the Lord that was resting to the soul.

I was an active member of an Assembly of God church that had a Hammond organ and piano. The worship services flowed and we experienced Jesus personally. Life was extremely glorified and fully satisfied in the Holy Ghost. Even food tasted 10 times better. We many times went to a restaurant after services for 'afterglow' fellowship. It was like that in most of the full gospel traditional style churches back then. I never wanted to miss a meeting or service!

The same churches today ALL went to a rock and roll band contemporary style and mostly all contemporary songs. Closeness to the Lord vanished! I simply don't find intimacy with the Lord where services are contemporary, or find any depth of wellbeing. I find it a different spirit. There is some very good preaching in most, (yet others have gone into aberrant revival stuff).

Having lived in many places, I've had the opportunity to see the ups and downs in many-a

[Work in Progress]

I don't care for Contemporary Christian music, I much prefer the old hymns.

I have grown, though. We started at the church we are at two years ago, and that was my first introduction to praise songs in the worship service. We have both - three old hymns and a time set aside just for praise songs, usually 4 or 5 of them. My son and I use to look at each other and count them down, hoping it would end soon, lol. But now, I do get into some of them and even feel my hands lifting up..........something I would never have thought you'd see from me. My son is into them now, too.

But I still prefer those old Hymns.

[Goldpearl]

As long as the music is worship and praise I can learn to appreciate even that which is not traditional to me...even when it takes me longer to learn to sing it. (God did not bless me with musical apptitude this side of Heaven's gate; so when you get to Heaven listen for the really loud worship and praise singing...it will be me, worshiping the Lord all thru Heaven...in perfect pitch. Only the Lord hears be in perfect pitch right now.)

Blessings, Goldpearl

[DaniJ87]

The same churches today ALL went to a rock and roll band contemporary style and mostly all contemporary songs. Closeness to the Lord vanished!

One thing to think about, is cause-and-effect.

Just because something happens at the same time, does not mean that one caused the other. Just because your church switched to a style of music that was more contemporary, (which, by the way, is NOT a dirty word... It simply means "of the time".) at the same time as closeness diminished, does not mean that the musical change influenced the closeness.

I would contend that one reason for the change in fellowship is because of a legalistic attitude towards music by some, and a very carefree attitude by others. I am not advocating either.

I would also like to point out that you lack a heading in your poll for regular contemporary music, and that of choruses. "Seek Ye First" is not really a contemporary song.. but neither is it a hymn. Also, not all contemporary music is rock music. If rock music is what you think of when you say contemporary music, say "(so)called Christian rock"... if you like- just don't lump it all together.

I could show you an old "Coronation" hymn book that I have... it has song after song of how drinking, and smoking, and pants, are evil, and how the poor are always lazy and to be pitied or despized..... now.. this hymnbook may be full of hymns... but that does not make them appropriate for church.

Depending on your congregation, certain music may be more or less appropriate to use. If the congregation is made up of mostly the elderly, they will likely prefer older hymns. If the church is largely young people, some newer music may be appreciated.

As to your comment about the truth or lack of it in contemporary lyrics, I agree. But the same is true of the "coronation" hymns. (from the 1800's)

No matter when something is made, there is a chance that it will be in error- after all, we are only human.

However, before you lump all CCM into one category, listen to some. Try listening to a song by "Casting Crowns"... try "Who am I?" or "The Stained Glass Masquerade". Totally full of truth. No lies.

[Salt]

The same churches today ALL (99.9%) went to a rock and roll band contemporary style and mostly all contemporary songs. Closeness to the Lord vanished!

I would also like to point out that you lack a heading in your poll for regular contemporary music, and that of choruses. "Seek Ye First" is not really a contemporary song.. but neither is it a hymn. Also, not all contemporary music is rock music. If rock music is what you think of when you say contemporary music, say "(so)called Christian rock"... if you like- just don't lump it all together.

I view 'contemporary' primarily by what instruments it is performed on. A few 'select' new songs or choruses do nicely in traditional organ accompaniment.

Churches around here have gone to a rock and roll style. Some are very very very loud! I went to hear a speaker at a nearby AG church where a relative goes. She actually handed me ear plugs to wear! Her son wears them each week. True story.

Edited November 4, 2005 by Salt

[nebula]

I cannot answer the pole - I like a variety of styles.

I like traditional songs when not done by piano and/or organ - I can never concetrate on the words. It's like I'm just mouthing them off.

But put a traditional hymn with more modern styles -

I didn't care for hymns until my dad bought a record (yes this was a long time ago) with some hymns done to a bluegrass style of music. Ever hear "Lily of the Valley" done to a banjo?

One of my favorite versions of "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" was done by Jews for Jesus, song Messianic style. In their words (paraphrase), "In Christian hymnity, reverence for God is expressed through languid melodies.... In our Jewish culture, reverence for God is expressed with vibrance...." So if you can imagine "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" being sung like "Trees of the Field" or "Blow the Trumpet in Zion", that's what it was like.

But I also like that song sung to the tune of "Alleluia" - for those that are familiar with that worship song that came out in the early '70's.

"How Great Thou Art" never stirred my spirit and soul until I recently heard Michael Tait's version of it over the radio. Yeah - that did it for me.

Oh - and you should hear the group Selah singing hymns! Oh, so beautiful!

Overall - I love contemporary worship.

There are many praise and worship songs done to the light, medium, and hard rock styles that have ministered to me and drew me to the Lord.

I like some pop styles as well.

Of course, there are some styles I like, but the artist just kills the song.

And of course I love Messianic music. That keeps me in touch with the roots of my faith.

As I mentioned, the country/ blue grass style makes my feet tap. Unfortunately, it's hard to find actual praise and worship albums with that style. And I don't mean Southern Gospel - that's OK, but not quite what makes me want to dance.

The style of music I have the hardest time with, besides the hymns to piano/organ, is Blask Gospel. Now, I can admit there is an annointing there in much of it, but I just can't get into it. Maybe one or two songs - then I've had enough.

OK - so does that answer the question?

[Keith]

I can't answer the poll either because I like all kinds. I'm particular about what I don't like, too. Some music/instruments really interferes with worship for me. Mainly, I don't like it loud. I don't like the instruments to drown out the voices and I don't think worship music (in church) should be "performed" as if the people on "stage" are performing at a concert. It shouldn't be the "Bob or Mary Show." It's corporate worship, not entertainment.

If I can't hear the voices above the instruments, it's too loud.

If my clothes are vibrating, the music is, in my opinion, inappropriately loud and interferes with my worship.

[irishcowboy]

ALL.............

can not answer either cause i like all....

and all of them build up....

there are times i like the quiet style ( real mellow ) and other times i like to have the really up beat.....

the country twang is not bad either... but there are times i can not stand that type of music...some times it is as bad as rap..... other times I would prefer rap style over country.... depends on where my spirit is at that time.....

I know that when I need to be lifted up fast.... the upbeat gets me moving that direction faster.... and when i need to quiet down well, there is music that will do that for me toooo....

mike

[Keith]

The "louder" and more upbeat stuff can be great for praise. I guess I'm a traditionalist and view "praise" and "worship" as different.

[Guest yod]

I also voted "other" because there was no entry for "all of the above and any other kinds of audio which glorifies the Lord"

Music only creates an atmosphere for for communicating an idea with words

If a song has a good melody and the words are good, then presentation can be adjusted to be appropriate for an audience. That's the real debate here. What is appropriate and where?

A blues rocker wouldn't go over in high-church Episcopalian circles and southern-gospel organ music wouldn't go over at the local Vineyard church. That doesn't make the song or the instrumentation inherently evil. It could be simple things like

1. The music is not appropriate for the congregation.

2. The music team doesn't have enough talent to pull it off well and your church is suffering from a garage band that distracts your focus by all the baaaaaad notes.

3. The music team has lots of talent but has chosen songs based on what they like rather than what serves the congregation. They are doing "show" when they should be doing "serve"

4. The music is fine but "someone " can always find something to complain about and they refuse to worship God with that noise in the background

Churches usually have an all volunteer group that doesn't have the time to make the music team a priority in their own lives. It's a lot of work to be the worship leader (or any other member) if you really do it right. Lots of churches don't put a high value on the ministry of music and their worship time suffers for it.

It used to be that churches paid a minister of music to write music for them, arrange the choir, play the piano/organ, run rehearsals and do every special occasion like weddings and funerals. It can easily be a full time job but most churches have other priorities and rely instead on an all-volunteer model; so you get what you got.

There are a dozen other reasons why a music team could be hampering the worship which have nothing to do with the style of music or the instrumentation.

Age difference between the musicians, cheap sound equipment, a bad (volunteered) sound man, or all of the above!

Sometimes you just have to forgive that stuff and worship God anyway. He is STILL worthy.