Contemporary Christian Music

[Trotter]

Becca,

I was quoting what paulsfocus had posted. And it was the spirit of it, not the actual words.

I have been in many churches where I thought I was in a funeral. If the pianist played any slower they could have taken a coffee break between the notes! That is what I am talking about.

The church I just left was totally different. Except for a few hymns that HAVE to be played slow (such as "Amazing Grace"), they picked it up and ran with it. The hymns actually felt like praise instead of drudgery. Actually, the music was the best part of that church.

The church I am attanding now doesn't take them quite as fast, but they are not slow, either. But their worship is more blended betwwen traditional and contemporary, in that they use a lot of praise and worship (which I love!).

I was not trying to down hymns, but the way in which many are played. If I want to hear funeral music, I'll go to a funeral parlor, not worship service.

The only song that I posted was "King of Glory" by Third Day. Check it out. Even if you don't know the tune, you can see the way that it sings praise to Jesus Christ.

I know I am not your typical "old preacher dude", nor do I ever want to be. God made me uniquely me, to which I am eternally grateful (my wife is, too, on some days...).

James Dobson made the comment that music in the church is the most devisive subject he ever addressed on his radio program. Ya know, I think I agree with him.

In Christ,
Trotter

PS- yeah, we're still cool!

 

[Rookiepastor]

It's wonderful to see young people do the things y'all speak of. I know a group from Indiana that plays the fiddle/violin, mandolin, guitar, and sing like angels. They street preach too! It's awesome to see/hear them and they really do bless my old soul.

Be faithful, so much the more, as you see the day approaching!

[/QB][/QUOTE]

Send me info about this group in Indiana... I would like to check them out, I might want to invite them to my church.


God Bless and thanks


Fred

 

[JesusInFirstPlace]

Okay, Trotter. I guess you're right in that some churches have music really, really slow, but that doesn't stop me from worshiping.- If anything, I have more time to reflect on everything that God has done for me. I came from a church where we sang and played all of our songs fast, but I just don't see comparing slower songs to funeral music. Some people(generally when churches maintain a pretty old average age

) prefer slower music, and who am I to argue? It still praises the same God in the same way, just at a different rate. Yeah, I agree with james Dobson too!!!

In Christ,
Becca

 

[AZfiddler_Oct1996]

Hey, Trotter!

Yes, I'm finally back on! Well, before I get to the subject at hand I'd like to tell y'all some good news!(Becca?) I went to orchestra rehersal Tuesday (I am the concert master) and I also had a violin lesson. My teacher told me at my lesson that I can play in the Symphony now!!!!! I can't believe it!

I love to play violin/fiddle. (not to mention that they will give me $75 for every rehersal I attend

) I also have to go to the AZ fiddle contest the end of September. YIKES!

OK, to the subject at hand... I would enjoy discussing this issue but we have to agree on some things 1st. The first thing that we have to agree on is to let the Bible be the final authority. Do you agree to this? The second thing we must agree to is we must let scripture interpret scripture. Do you agree? These 2 things have to be agreed to before we can truly let the mind of God on the matter be the determining factor for what we believe concerning the issue. Otherwise our discussion is futile.

In Christ,
AZfiddler

P.S. Do you play an instrument?!

 

[Trotter]

Alice,

I used to play trombone, baritone, and flugabone, but that was before you were born! But I am still very much attuned to music.

I have no problem with either condition, but I know where it is heading, and I already know the outcome. No disrespect, but I will not be party to personal interpretations. I don't know if you follow the goings on in the Bible Versions/Translations forum or not, or have checked out my posting record, but I will not get involved in the likes of personal interpretations.

I am not afraid of any of it, but I do not want hurt feelings on either side. I am very well versed in what 'the good book' has to say, but I am curious as to the direction you intend to go... Tell you what. If you want, post your line of reasoning according to what you believe. I would like to see it, and I promise not to judge it (or you).

Some of the run-ins I have had in regards to using the rules you asked have not been pretty (but I do not want you to think that I am judging you, looking down on you, or out-and-out disagreeing with you).

I honestly want to hear your take on all this. If you will, post it. Then we'll see where it goes. OK?

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[Trotter]

Becca,

Unfortunately, it becomes a distraction to me, an impediment, instead of helping me to praise. Yes, I am strange, but that is the way that I am wired (or is that 'weird'?).

You don't see a comparison of slow hymns and funeral music, but I do? Who is right? It is personal opinion.

Most churches where the membership is predominantly elderly would not interest me. I am not "old school" as far as church goes, and that is not a knock against it. That is just me.

I am a Baby Buster, and I fit that catagory pretty much to a 'T'. Although there are some similarities between Boomers and Busters, we are mostly different. And these differences really show up in a church setting (but I am not going to get into that here). Suffice it to say that upbeat music is one of the distinguishing traits, as is the need for more expressive songs (songs that are more intimate and personal, between God and us).

The great hymns of the church will always be the great hymns of the church, but they were not always the great hymns. Each one started out as a contemporary song, and almost all of them were not readily accepted at the time that they were introduced. Hendel's "Messiah" was dismissed as vulgar and too repetative. Martin Luther's hymns were sung to the tune of the drinking songs of the common people. Even Isaac Watts' songs were not widely accepted when they first were penned.

What is new today will be called classic tomorrow. Just give it time.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[DeclareHim]

Good job AZ.Glad you got into the orchestra.

 

[paulsfocus]

Originally posted by Trotter:
paulsfocus,

Where do you get that he's not listenign for the glory of God. You have to read something into it to get that. He says,

I ain't knockin' the hyms,just give me a song that has a beat,
I ain't knockin' the hyms,just give me a song that moves my feet,
I don't like any of them funeral marches, I ain't dead yet.

Sounds like some things I have said.

paulsfocus, just as Becca and I have come to an agreement (sort of...I realize that she does not agree with me, but is willing to let me answer for my own), I would like to come to something similar with you.

Oh, I won't lose sleep if we don't, but I do want you to realize that you cannot judge me by your personal preferences. That's all. If you don't want anything to do with CCM, that is between you and God. But it is between myself and God if I do, and has nothing to do with you. You will find that when yu try to paint with abroad brush, you end up going outside of the lines.

In Christ,
Trotter

He vey plainy stated that it's the beat he likes. All songs have a beat it wouldn't be music if it didn't, but if the beat is what your looking for then that's not glorifying to God.
I have been in both types of churchs, some have funeral marches, some have music that sounds as if the walls will come down.

I agree that we should judge rightiously and by the Bible, and I believe that is what I'm doing.

 

[Trotter]

As am I. But even in that there is room for person preference. Agreed?

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[JesusInFirstPlace]

Trotter~

Okay, are we back on the whole "Contemporary" thing again? Cuz I could've sworn we were done with that. I am not arguing what is contemporary is wrong. I am discussing the fact that (some of) the singers themselves don't live moral lives, do more to focus their performances on themselves, and get their inspiration/musical influence from rock stars, rather than the Solid Rock.

Becca

 

[Trotter]

I am discussing the fact that (some of) the singers themselves don't live moral lives, do more to focus their performances on themselves, and get their inspiration/musical influence from rock stars, rather than the Solid Rock.

Oh, I missed that. Seriously.

I have to agree with you on that one whole-heartedly, Becca. I know of a few, but I am sure there are many who are into it for anything but the glory of the Lord. It is really very sad...

I wasn't trying to muddy the waters, but to calm them. What we call "contemporary" today will be called "classic" in just a few short years. No arguement, just a statement.

Slow music irritates me.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[JesusInFirstPlace]

Trotter~

Okay, we're cool (still )
So, does slow CCM irritate you too??
Just wondering!

In Christ,
Becca

 

[Trotter]

Actually, some of it does! But those are usually remakes of a song, and the ones redoing it are really butchering it.

Now, something like MercyMe or Phillips, Craig, and Dean...it is written to be slow. I guess it goes back to my band days. It used to drive our instructer crazy when we drug the tempo, and it still grates my nerves today.

My walk with Christ is passionate, and the music that I sing praises to Him is passionate as well. And, yes, hymns can be passionate, as I well know. But my music of preference is still what I listen to.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[JesusInFirstPlace]

Trotter~

Alright, so you like the faster-paced songs. That's cool (well, to me it is cool within reason, cuz I still won't turn on the stuff that is so fast in beat & stuff that it sounds like what every ungodly teenager listens to). I too love to praise God passionately (have you heard the song A Passion for Thee??? I sang it for a special a couple of weeks ago!). And that is what is the most important- praising God and honoring Him with all we do (as better stated in I Corinthians 10:31).

By the way, off subject I know, but where did you get those graemlins?? They are SO cute!!! The singing one cracks me up!!!

Becca

 

[GrannyGumbo]

You can see them over on another really nice website called:

www.onlinebaptist.com

 

[Trotter]

Yep, that's where I stole 'em from.

Here's a link to their smilies:
OnlineBaptist.com Smilies Link

Just right-click on the one you want to use, click on "Copy Image Location", then on the BaptistBoard's Full Reply click "Image", right-click and paste into the field the copied location, and whallah!

Oh, if you are using Mozilla Firefox as your browser, you can download an extension to use on bulletin boards that makes it a lot easier.

Enjoy!

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[JesusInFirstPlace]

Thanks!!! (I still like the singing one the best. How cute!!!!!!!!)

Becca

 

[Blazin4Christ]

CCMers always say they are witnessing through their music to young people that don't liek God by going their style.

A sheep in wolf's clothing will only get the CCM artist accepted as the wolf, not as Christ,

 

[Comrade]

We are commanded in the Bible to worship in spirit and in truth. Music appeals to the flesh Hollywood has figured that one out just watch a movie the music sets the mood such as a horror movie. You know that person can't harm you but you feel as though tha guy will jump out of the screen and kill you. Music is not made for worship. It is emotional. I praise God by getting others to praise God through the saving of souls.

 

[Trotter]

Blazin,

You are entitled to your own opinion and your own taste in music. But so am I, and many, many others. Don't be quick to pass judgement on someone else just because you have decided that their music is not as "spiritual" as yours, or it sounds too much like what some unsaved heathen listen to.

I will be the first to say that not everything that is paraded forth as "Contempory Christian Music" is Christian at all. There are some who have decided that hitting the Christian music market would be easier than hitting the mainstream market. So, yes, there are "wolves in sheep's clothing" in the mix. But not all CCM is like that. In fact, very few artists in the CCM field are like that.

Of course, what you define as CCM is probably very different from what I would define CCM as. For me, DCTalk, The Newsboys, Audio Adrenalin would be pretty much the limit to be considered "contempory". Well, a few songs by certain other groups that would be considered 'hard rock' or 'heavy metal', but those individual songs are exceptions to the rule.

I may be wrong, but I think that you probably consider anything outside of hymns and Southern Gospel to be CCM, with visions of skin-tight latex, smashing guitars, screaming, smoke and laser lights, and such being prominent. Am I close?

The bottom line: "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; (Luke 6:37 ESV) There is a lot of glorifying contempory Christian music out there...not all of it, but the vast majority. Don't be too quick to condemn what you personally do not like.

In Christ,
Trotter