Church Music Part I
The one thing we know for sure is that God hates drums. At least, that is what I was told at one point in my life. I am always amazed by those who call themselves mature Christians, but believe the most foolish of things.
Over the last few decades the church has been involved in what many call "The Worship War". On one side you have contemporary music and on the other side you have Traditional music. One side believes God hates anything that is modern or electric. The other side believes that God loves all music so why not sing songs to beats that we like.
Many churches have drawn the line in the sand. The new music sounds just like rock and roll, and we know that rock and roll is of the Devil. The beat causes people to think about sex. Other churches have decided to throw away the sacred hymnals and sing praise chorus in their place. While some churches have decided to have two worship services. The early one for the old folks who hate electric guitars, and the later service for young people, not disciplined in life enough to get up at 9:00 AM for worship.
So here is my 2 cents on this issue.
A 'C' chord is a 'C' chord regardless if it is played on organ or electric guitar. 4/4 time is the same. There is no such thing as an instrument of the devil, and humans have always used the sounds of popular music to worship until the 20th century.
A couple months ago I was sitting in the fellowship hall with a southern gospel musician. By the way, I have no beef with southern gospel. This man was telling me that he believed that God only wanted people to listen to hymn music and southern gospel music. I tried to explain to him his error, but he wouldn't hear it. So, let me write it here with the hope that maybe one day he will read it.
Southern gospel music is an American invention and has only been around for about 75 years. For this man's thoughts to be true, it would mean, that every Christian before the 20th century was listening to music that did not please God. Also, every Christian around the world that was not born in the U.S. is listening to the wrong music. This idea is both incorrect and full of self-righteousness.
I am amazed by the mind-set of those who are thought to be the most mature believers. Many of our most mature believers expect our youngest believers to transform into them on Sunday morning. We demand that our youngest believers worship like our oldest believers. I am not certain that this is Biblical, and I am even more certain that our more mature believers should be thinking about our youngest believers.
I am also certain that very few people listen to piano and organ music all day long. I have never once visited someone and they ask me to sit down and listen to this great organ recital they got from Wal-Mart last night.
To me, the most important thing about Church music is doing it well. I personally do not care what style the music is. I do care if we don't do our best. There is nothing I hate more in worship that to see a soloist sing without practice. It bothers me when song leaders lead scared and not confident. As long as it is done well, all forms of music are fine with me.
In my church, we sing hymns most of the time. Personally, I like it this way. However, every now and then, we slip in a special music that rocks the house. We never tell anyone that it is coming, and I have noticed that afterwards everyone is still alive and no one is worshipping the Devil.
Next week, I am going to write about songs and hymns that I have a major problem with. Thanks for reading.
Over the last few decades the church has been involved in what many call "The Worship War". On one side you have contemporary music and on the other side you have Traditional music. One side believes God hates anything that is modern or electric. The other side believes that God loves all music so why not sing songs to beats that we like.
Many churches have drawn the line in the sand. The new music sounds just like rock and roll, and we know that rock and roll is of the Devil. The beat causes people to think about sex. Other churches have decided to throw away the sacred hymnals and sing praise chorus in their place. While some churches have decided to have two worship services. The early one for the old folks who hate electric guitars, and the later service for young people, not disciplined in life enough to get up at 9:00 AM for worship.
So here is my 2 cents on this issue.
A 'C' chord is a 'C' chord regardless if it is played on organ or electric guitar. 4/4 time is the same. There is no such thing as an instrument of the devil, and humans have always used the sounds of popular music to worship until the 20th century.
A couple months ago I was sitting in the fellowship hall with a southern gospel musician. By the way, I have no beef with southern gospel. This man was telling me that he believed that God only wanted people to listen to hymn music and southern gospel music. I tried to explain to him his error, but he wouldn't hear it. So, let me write it here with the hope that maybe one day he will read it.
Southern gospel music is an American invention and has only been around for about 75 years. For this man's thoughts to be true, it would mean, that every Christian before the 20th century was listening to music that did not please God. Also, every Christian around the world that was not born in the U.S. is listening to the wrong music. This idea is both incorrect and full of self-righteousness.
I am amazed by the mind-set of those who are thought to be the most mature believers. Many of our most mature believers expect our youngest believers to transform into them on Sunday morning. We demand that our youngest believers worship like our oldest believers. I am not certain that this is Biblical, and I am even more certain that our more mature believers should be thinking about our youngest believers.
I am also certain that very few people listen to piano and organ music all day long. I have never once visited someone and they ask me to sit down and listen to this great organ recital they got from Wal-Mart last night.
To me, the most important thing about Church music is doing it well. I personally do not care what style the music is. I do care if we don't do our best. There is nothing I hate more in worship that to see a soloist sing without practice. It bothers me when song leaders lead scared and not confident. As long as it is done well, all forms of music are fine with me.
In my church, we sing hymns most of the time. Personally, I like it this way. However, every now and then, we slip in a special music that rocks the house. We never tell anyone that it is coming, and I have noticed that afterwards everyone is still alive and no one is worshipping the Devil.
Next week, I am going to write about songs and hymns that I have a major problem with. Thanks for reading.
posted by Foundes Community Church @ 11:52 PM
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