A Beginning... I don't know how long this will last, but I intend to try. This blog is meant for me to rant, to theorize and to in general give vent to feelings.
Today's rant and vent just happens to be on the most sensetive subject in churches: music. This is a huge issue. Some (mostly older people) do not appreciate the newer up-beat songs, while the younger generation seems to despise the older hymns and songs. This thought has made me rather angry at times and mostly I blamed the younger group (which I technically am included in) for being rebellious and uncompromisingly spoiled in their music tastes. Yesterday however, in the worship service at my chruch, we sang God of Wonders I love that song. It is lively and I just love that song; it is not a "rocky" song, or "modern" in any way accept when it was written. I was shocked though when in a congregation of over 500 I felt like I was singing a solo. Some friends of mine were singing, and my siblings, all the youth, but the adults were hardly singing. Now I could attribute this to the fact that they didn't know the song if we hadn't done it in church services before (this was the first time I actually noticed the quiet). I looked around, and there were hardly any of the older genrations actually putting their hearts into praising God. I got rather frustrated with them and mentally I was shouting "Why can't you just go along with a song like this? Why is it so hard to learn a song that you didn't grow up with? Is it that offensive to you?"
This really started me thinking on music and styles today. And I think it can be boiled down to two questions to ask yourself when choosing music: "Am I a believer in Jesus Christ?" and "Do I sing and listen to my music with the one goal of worshipping and drawing closer to God?" I am determined never to ask the question "Why not?" when considering what music I will listen to. God commands us in Phillipains 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Please notice that God does not say "Whatever things are not true, whatever things are not honest etc... Do not think on such things." We are not supposed to look at a style of music or a song and say "Oh it has no offensive language and I like it, so it must be ok." But God doesn't command that our choices not reflect evil, He commands our choices to reflect the new life that is in us.
But back to the intergenerational thing. Rebellion will always be a part of youth culture, even with the most compliant of us. Youth will always want to be different in their styles both of clothing and music as well as just about every other area. Christian youth, I think, see the subjectivity of music as a freedom and strike out for it. In a world where they feel trapped by God's standards to be like their parents they see music as an outlet of their expression and even if the styles they like are similar to their parents' they will migrate towards the wilder new genres.
So what can we do to fix this problem?
For starters, we, the younger generations, can stop pushing for what according to our conscience is not profitable; and the older generation needs to stop shuinning the music that according to their consciences is really alright even if it is not what they are used to. And then nobody will need to feel like they are singing solo in a worship service of 500+...
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About Me
- Somnium
- A nonconformist, a ranter, a raver, a lover of Christ...
5 comments:
YOU DID IT!!! YAY! I'M SO EXCITED!!!
Very interesting post -- great topic.
You go to a church of FIVE HUNDRED?! I can't even imagine. We average about 80 at our late service (about 20 at our early service; sometimes that DOES feel like singing a solo!). Wow. How magnificent to be part of something so...huge!
I find it interesting that this is such a huge deal in your church. We have two services -- a "contemporary" service (the early one) and a "traditional" service. We have recently, over the past few months, been introducing more contemporary and praise songs to the early service. I don't go to that service often, because I am usually in Sunday School, however when I do go I notice hesitation in the rest of the folks there -- I and one or two other people will sing their hearts out and clap and get excited, but most people won't. Admittedly, this is rather new, and I think people need time to adjust. I think it's just a comfort thing.
Or maybe it's an expectation thing. Churches have this awful stereotypes of being stuffy, dull, serious places...I hate that. Yes -- obviously, your faith and worship are two incredibly important things -- but that doesn't mean you can't ENJOY it!! God loves to hear our PRAISE, he commands us to MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE to Him!! Perhaps it's up to the younger generation to keep the rest of the world from falling into the trap of being controlled by their expectations -- we need to keep introducing new concepts, new ideas, new songs, new melodies, and new ways to praise Our God?
We have 2 service too, an "early service" and a "late service" The eaarly one is about 200 people the late on is 500. (not bragging)
I think splitting the service into contemporary and traditional is not ..... I can't find the word for it, but I don't think It's good. That splits the body of Christ. I've noticed even in our church that there is more and more of a gap between the youth and the olders. There is a youth bible study several times a month, during evening service, youth group meets during prayer meeeting and in general there is no mixing. It splits apart the younger generation who are supposed to be being raised by the elder for their spiritual growth and education. If we have 2 separate services, one for each generation, then we are driving a wedge between them even further, creating two churches in one building. We can't split the body of christ, it will die. The older generation will die naturally and physically, leaving noone to fill their place, and the younger will have no one to guide them and will spiritually fail.
wow, that's exactly why our church doesn't have a "youth group". Or at least partially why. Anyway, back to music,I agree with you at least for the most part...I think that the whole music issue is very, very muddled. Also, what type of music a church has (imo) really adds to their reputation, even if someone hasn't been to the service much. My church of ~100, maybe less, sings only hymns. Usually I like them, but it's kinda awkward when we sing ones that aren't well known at all. However, when I visit churchs where they sing contemporary Christian songs, I feel... i dont' know how to describe it, almost "plasticky", as if I'm not really worshiping God. My explination for that is basically that people can, not necessarily do, get caught up with the faster beats and the instruments, instead of focusing on God. Though, I will say, hymns can sometimes have something of the opposite effect. Which, I might add, is why I like your church's music so much, since it's a combination of both, though personally i woudl liek a few more hymns. Though another angle to look at the whole situation is that there is no such thing as a Perfect church on this earth, so I'm almost inclined to say that Christians shouldn't be overly picky...my reason for bringing this up is because several people left our church over the summer, and one of the reasons they left was because of the music...however Christians DO need to be picky to some extent, obviously :).
I see your point about splitting the worship services up and how it creates a wedge, and it's a great point -- because you're right, there are times when it does feel like we are two seperate churches, simply sharing space. It's true that the 9 o'clockers don't really socialize with the 10:30 'ers. It's true that it is a seperation. (Now, at least in this situation, I don't think it's an I-don't-agree-with-the-service-you-attend-so-I-won't-associate-with-you kind of thing at all. It just happens that logistically, the way things are set up and the way schedules are, there really isn't a TIME for everyone to come together. For the most part, we are two groups, simply because it's easy to stay in groups and not step out of the box...but this is an entirely different rant...)
What I'm trying to say is that every situation has positives and negatives. Some people feel more comfortable worshipping God in a more comtemporary way. Some people need to sing songs that apply to their lives today, rather then hymns that were written hundreds of years ago. Everyone experiences God in a different way, and everyone worships God in their own way. It all depends on what kind of person you are -- for some, a more traditional way of worshipping is what they need to connect with God. But for others, a more contemporary setting is what moves them; what makes them aware of the Holy Spirit and brings them closer to God.
Just like with prayer -- there are so many ways to pray! There are also many ways to worship.
I myself enjoy both contemporary and traditional worship settings, so it's hard for me to take sides. I find both are beneficial -- I find that the more serious traditional worship helps me to focus on God in a more contemplative way, but that contemporary services are more emotionally connecting for me.
I agree with pretty much all that, but it does become a devider so easily.
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