Church Music: Traditional or Contemporary?

[evangelist6589]

Today in church we had a special youth event after the main service and the youth sang, and to my surprise the music was contemporary praise in the same form of this YouTube video. I was amazed as I am at a IFB church which hymns dominate the main service, but the youth had a different thing. I personally love and prefer this style of worship, but when I was at BJU this style of music was demonized and I heard many chapel messages on how evil this music was, and no BJU student or staff member was allowed to go to a church that played this music. I do not understand this logic as this music is not the same as a Rock N Roll heavy Metal concert at a church that allows Stryper in the door. Listen and examine the lyrics of Stryper, Guardian, WhiteCross, and other such Heavy Metal bands and one will see a big difference! So what do you say? I know this is a very debatable topic amongst christians. I know in Greenville, SC no such IFB church would allow anything other than hymns to be played or else be demonized as CCM. After the event I thanked the youth pastor for his worship music, and he said that the youth prefer this style as it has many advantages for the youth over hymns. I agreed and give him my support, but only wish once in a while this style of music would be played in the main service.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

In church: traditional
For recreation: secular rock, R&B, country, folk

 

[annsni]

Come to my church! That's the style we worship with - guitars (much more portable in a hotel than an organ or keyboard) mostly. It's wonderful, real and heartfelt. MANY contemporary worship songs are theologically rich and incredible to sing. I love How Great is Our God - I cry every time I sing it because I KNOW how great our God really is!

I'm glad you enjoyed it!!

 

[JonC]

My church typically sings contemporary worship songs, with a hymn or two thrown in. You cannot confuse contemporary worship music with contemporary secular music. Personally I prefer traditional, but there are many contemporary songs that I love in the worship service. It’s hard to argue that it is not biblical when you stand and the contemporary song you end up singing is a psalm.

"How Great is Our God" is also one of my favorites. "Unto the Lamb" is probably at the top of my list.

 

[evangelist6589]

Come to my church! That's the style we worship with - guitars (much more portable in a hotel than an organ or keyboard) mostly. It's wonderful, real and heartfelt. MANY contemporary worship songs are theologically rich and incredible to sing. I love How Great is Our God - I cry every time I sing it because I KNOW how great our God really is!

I'm glad you enjoyed it!!

Thank you. Yes I love that song. I only wish that IFB churches wold not demonize this type of music, yet I am grateful that the one I am at does not. However its very very very rate of a IFB church to have this type of music in a youth service. Very amazing music. I truly miss this style of worship music and I miss the days when I went to a church like this one as I did in California.

 

[evangelist6589]

My church typically sings contemporary worship songs, with a hymn or two thrown in. You cannot confuse contemporary worship music with contemporary secular music. Personally I prefer traditional, but there are many contemporary songs that I love in the worship service. It’s hard to argue that it is not biblical when you stand and the contemporary song you end up singing is a psalm.

"How Great is Our God" is also one of my favorites. "Unto the Lamb" is probably at the top of my list.

BJU would use these authors to argue their premise.

http://religiousaffections.org
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0884692620/?tag=baptis04-20

Measuring the Music

Their basic premise is that because non hymns have a beat then the devil must have written the music!!

 

[Aaron]

Church Music: Traditional or Contemporary?

Neither. It should be minimal, simple, straightforward and something in which everyone can easily and naturally participate without issue of conscience.

 

[agedman]

Neither. It should be minimal, simple, straightforward and something in which everyone can easily and naturally participate without issue of conscience.

Thank you, Aaron!

Often, when I have had occasion to be in a CCW situation, it comes across as more of a Las Vegas show, than actual worship. Usually the team of "worship leaders" are more into how good they sound than being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Did not the Scriptures teach - BE STILL and know that I am God. How does the Holy Spirit communicate when you can't even hear yourself think or are plastered with nothing but worldliness that is designed to heighten the sensual, visual, and physical - but dulls the intellectual and true spiritual.

Such "worship" is not inconsistent with the lie being pushed by the enemy of the true believers and is reminiscent of the godless golden calf expressions.

I had occasion many years ago to visit with Haralan Popov (see here: Tortured for His Faith). This man lived a life of true faithfulness and I seriously doubt any modern CCW person could come close to enduring what he did.

I doubt seriously that very many CCW persons has even read or would consider supporting the ministry still ongoing here: (Door of Hope, Int.)

 

[OldRegular]

Thank you, Aaron!

Often, when I have had occasion to be in a CCW situation, it comes across as more of a Las Vegas show, than actual worship. Usually the team of "worship leaders" are more into how good they sound than being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Did not the Scriptures teach - BE STILL and know that I am God. How does the Holy Spirit communicate when you can't even hear yourself think or are plastered with nothing but worldliness that is designed to heighten the sensual, visual, and physical - but dulls the intellectual and true spiritual.

Such "worship" is not inconsistent with the lie being pushed by the enemy of the true believers and is reminiscent of the godless golden calf expressions.

I had occasion many years ago to visit with Haralan Popov (see here: Tortured for His Faith). This man lived a life of true faithfulness and I seriously doubt any modern CCW person could come close to enduring what he did.

I doubt seriously that very many CCW persons has even read or would consider supporting the ministry still ongoing here: (Door of Hope, Int.)

Well said!:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

 

[evenifigoalone]

My church uses both contemporary and hymns. Which is great, IMO. I prefer a contemporary style of music, but I like that the hymns aren't left out because they're still good. Although I do find the lyrics to contemporary worship a bit more relatable in many cases.
If the youth group is leading worship, then more contemporary songs than normal is played.

And I do love me some Christian hard rock and metal, but true enough that most of the song lyrics aren't suited for a worship service. Oftentimes they're just songs that come from a Christian POV, but weren't intended for worship. That said, there are exceptions and some of them do contain powerful Christian lyrics. Look up some songs by Disciple. (This is one of my favorites.) Or the lyrics to Red's Forever, or Pieces.


The church I was raised in didn't allow anything more contemporary than Southern gospel (in fact it seems they used to consider that questionable), and still don't.

 

[sag38]

Neither. It should be minimal, simple, straightforward and something in which everyone can easily and naturally participate without issue of conscience.

An opinion!

 

[sag38]

Thank you, Aaron!

Often, when I have had occasion to be in a CCW situation, it comes across as more of a Las Vegas show, than actual worship. Usually the team of "worship leaders" are more into how good they sound than being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Did not the Scriptures teach - BE STILL and know that I am God. How does the Holy Spirit communicate when you can't even hear yourself think or are plastered with nothing but worldliness that is designed to heighten the sensual, visual, and physical - but dulls the intellectual and true spiritual.

Such "worship" is not inconsistent with the lie being pushed by the enemy of the true believers and is reminiscent of the godless golden calf expressions.

I had occasion many years ago to visit with Haralan Popov (see here: Tortured for His Faith). This man lived a life of true faithfulness and I seriously doubt any modern CCW person could come close to enduring what he did.

I doubt seriously that very many CCW persons has even read or would consider supporting the ministry still ongoing here: (Door of Hope, Int.)

No real Biblical basis....just a little proof texting and a lot of personal preference.

 

[Aaron]

Thank you, Aaron!

:thumbs:

When I said neither, I am not meaning to exclude the true hymns that folks classify as "traditional." I would exclude Handel's Messiah, which many think is the paragon of Christian music—and it may be, but the Apostle's admonitions concerning the demeanor and decorum of Christian worship certainly excludes it.

 

[quantumfaith]

I am grateful for my CCW oriented church.

http://new.livestream.com/WiregrassChurch/online

Last Sunday Worship.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Neither. It should be minimal, simple, straightforward and something in which everyone can easily and naturally participate without issue of conscience.

I agree with you there. I have a preference for A Capella where its just the human voice.

 

[agedman]

Perhaps I didn't post with clear enough font.

Music in a church is to be minimal and not the focus of the assembly.

Too often (especially in the CCW setting) the music is actually a distraction from true worship.

Throughout Scriptures (Abraham visited by the three, Moses at the bush and on the Mount, David's confession before God at the temple, Jesus at the last supper, ...) worship was a time of prayer, eating, discussion, and sharing of the Word. Music was often non-existent or at best minimal.

It is so grievous that shallow emotionalism and mind numbing elements have become part of what more and more are "preferring" as a replacement of true worship.

I recall looking at the armor of the typical roman soldier and recalling how defenseless it would be in modern times, yet so effective in the ancients.

How the warfare of the believer is similar. One is to be clothed from head to toe so that when facing the enemy, there is defense and protection.

The assembly is to be like the Roman legion going into battle - well trained - bunched together - presenting absolutely no passage for the enemy to break through - always moving forward - ...

What place has music in that scene?

Look how it was used - call to arms (call to worship), for movement and direction (present doctrine and testimonial guidance), cessation of battle and posting of guards (they sang a hymn and went out into the night to pray).

There is very little music presentation of the last 150 years in the typical Baptist church that even comes close. Much less the last 50 years.

I want to add this one other observation:

I seriously question if any assembly of the CCW folks would stick around very long if they didn't have music to bolster the meeting.

I would like to see a study group comparison. Three churches - one "traditional," one "CCW" and the other a "blend."

Remove the music totally from all three, Folks would hear preaching and pray - only.

Which one after one year showed growth and which one no longer existed would be something that might indicate just how shallow the CCW, traditional, and blend really are.

My own premiss is that most folks wouldn't last and the assemblies be left with a handful if still existing.

 

[Sapper Woody]

Too often (especially in the CCW setting) the music is actually a distraction from true worship.

I can agree with that statement, as long as we understand (as you stated) that this isn't just a CCM problem.

The assembly is to be like the Roman legion going into battle - well trained - bunched together - presenting absolutely no passage for the enemy to break through - always moving forward - ...

What place has music in that scene?

Look how it was used - call to arms (call to worship), for movement and direction (present doctrine and testimonial guidance), cessation of battle and posting of guards (they sang a hymn and went out into the night to pray).

Also, I'd like to point out the war drums that kept time, and worked the emotions of the soldiers up so they'd fight better.

I seriously question if any assembly of the CCW folks would stick around very long if they didn't have music to bolster the meeting.

If this is the argument against CCM, then it's a non-argument. You could say this about any number of things. But, if it keeps them in, then they will hear the gospel while they are there.

I am not knocking traditional music, as I actually prefer hymns for the congregational singing. But I believe that contemporary music has its place.

 

[agedman]

Also, I'd like to point out the war drums that kept time, and worked the emotions of the soldiers up so they'd fight better.

The drums were to indicate when the soldiers were to take a step (usually forward) or "beat a retreat" (notice the musical term in that phrase). The battle horns and other indicators (such as flags) gave other directions, too.

Those who have been in battle know the only outstanding emotion other than fear, is determination.

The believer is to have those two basic emotions as outstanding in their life, too. Fear (healthy respect, hope, and honor) of God and determination (to bring all attributes of life and living under submission to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word).

Do Roman soldiers swaying to the beat seem very warrior ready?

If this is the argument against CCM, then it's a non-argument. You could say this about any number of things. But, if it keeps them in, then they will hear the gospel while they are there.

I am not knocking traditional music, as I actually prefer hymns for the congregational singing. But I believe that contemporary music has its place.

Apparently missing the last part of my earlier post?

 

[Sapper Woody]

The drums were to indicate when the soldiers were to take a step (usually forward) or "beat a retreat" (notice the musical term in that phrase). The battle horns and other indicators (such as flags) gave other directions, too.

The drums were also used to instill fear in the enemy, and to heighten the emotions of the allies.

Those who have been in battle know the only outstanding emotion other than fear, is determination.

And those of us who have been in battle know that it's not like it was back then. Back then you almost had to be in a feverish high of emotion to withstand the enemy's counter of fear tactics.

Do Roman soldiers swaying to the beat seem very warrior ready?

I have two answers for you there. Firstly, no. But yelling a battlecry either for their god or country does. Again, working up their emotions.

Secondly, our warfare is spiritual, not carnal. We don't literally put on armor and fight against Satan's forces. While I wish for grounded Christians who don't have to rely on emotions, if someone can feel more confident in their Christian walk due to emotions, I'm for it. I'd rather have an emotional Christian rather than a non practicing Christian.

Even preaching brings about an emotion. Shouting amen, raising a hand or the bible, nodding your head, these are all emotional reactions.

 

[quantumfaith]

The drums were to indicate when the soldiers were to take a step (usually forward) or "beat a retreat" (notice the musical term in that phrase). The battle horns and other indicators (such as flags) gave other directions, too.

Those who have been in battle know the only outstanding emotion other than fear, is determination.

The believer is to have those two basic emotions as outstanding in their life, too. Fear (healthy respect, hope, and honor) of God and determination (to bring all attributes of life and living under submission to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word).

Do Roman soldiers swaying to the beat seem very warrior ready?

So like you, interject YOU statement as if it were the other person's. He never said anything remotely akin to "soldiers swaying to the beat".

We (I) get it, you don't like CCM. Your loss.