Having argued in a few threads why I do not believe scripture explicitly or implicitly forbids any particular musical style...I would like to make an argument for those of you who attend churches that sing predominantly songs that would be categorized as "contemporary."
And, for the sake of simplicity, when I say "HYMN", I am refering to what most people consider hymns, that is OLD hymns. I personally hold to the longest-running definition of hymn, which is simply "Sung praise to God." So for me, all the songs, old and new, that we sing to God, are hymns. But for now, you know what I mean.
1. SINGABILITY: Even for the young, hip, & cool Generation; if we devote the music of our worship services to always singing the latest songs, always singing new songs, then congregational singing will suffer. Many contemporary songs were written for a solo performer, and as such have melodies, vocal ranges, and rhythms that are difficult for untrained musicians to sing. It is true that a younger generation who has grown up listening to pop music will be used to more syncopation, and so of course each congregation can handle different levels of rhythms, But people of any age can sing "When I survey the Wondrous Cross."
2. THEOLOGICAL DEPTH & BREADTH: Because we have inherited the best hymns from the last 500+ years, there are hymns that cover a wide range of topics, and multiple stanzas often tell a story that progresses from one place to another. Granted, this point is diminishing in importance as recently there have been some very good modern hymns written with deep theological content, as well as songs that cover a wider and wider range of topics; but there would still be, I believe a void of topics and depth if a church decided to never sing any old songs.
3. HISTORICAL CONNECTEDNESS: It is a mistake for modern worship leaders to think that we have just now discovered how to really worship God. Singing songs from generations long past reminds us that we stand on the shoulders of pastors and lay-people who have, in each generation, sought to help their people worship God in a Biblical and relevant way...this is what motivated Watts, Wesley, Luther, and many others to write some of the great hymns we still sing, or at least SHOULD sing.
4. MUSICAL RELEVANCE: Surprise! A younger generation needs the historical, theological value of hymns in an easily singable format...but also, they need something in corporate worship that they can't find outside of the church. If the church is a concert of great musicians performing impressive music, they can always find a better concert outside the church. If we get into an entertainment battle with MTV, MTV is going to win. (Even though MTV, "Music Television" no longer plays MUSIC VIDEOS...but don't get me started on that). The point is: Showing people that worship of God is different than a rock concert has value, and is relevant to what young people need. [aside]: This does not mean that the hymns must be accompanied in the same style or with the same instruments as they were 100 years ago, but care should be taken, as much as is possible, to leave the melody alone! This allows multiple generations to sing together...which leads us to #5:
5. GOSPEL WITNESS: [WARNING: Soapbox coming...and you thought I was already on it...] In Christ, there, is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. The Gospel removes those divisions between groups who were formerly at odds with one another...but for some reason, young Christians can't worship with their Grandparents. Old Hymns, sung to the original melodies, with perhaps updated accompaniment, can be sung by all generations together. This serves as a powerful witness to visitors, showing that very different people can worship together enthusiastically with one voice, in unity under the Gospel. Singing hymns also helps to bridge the sometimes glaring gap between old and young, and if you are a young song-leader, tells your older saints that you value them and their ways.
Finally #1: anecdotally, for those of you that have attended some Christian concerts, or very contemporary worship services...have you not found it to be true that after a band sings a lot of their songs, they will sometimes sing/lead an old hymn, and it is at THOSE times that the people sing the loudest and with the most confidence? Even if it is a crowd of 20-somethings?
Finally #2: This is not a case to sing old songs EXCLUSIVELY, but a case to include them if you don't currently, and perhaps to increase their regularity.
God bless, congratulations upon reading my rant...you may now return to debating the merits and demerits of calvinism. (Sorry, I had to include it in this thread...unofficial BaptistBoard policy). :smilewinkgrin:
