>>Church shouldn’t be a rock concert.
Old school people told Charles and John Wesley that hymns shouldn’t be drinking songs. If the music opens the heart to worship, then it is good. I’m “only” 50 years old, but a Chris Tomlin or Hillsong song prepares me for worship much better than 90% of the UM Hymnal. But, then they can take it to extremes with long guitar riffs or drum solos that are all about the artist and not conducive to worship.
But the real danger in the contemporary church is the message. If the message tells you that you are righteous and good, regardless of your actions, it is bad. If it ignores the gospel, or subverts it into the “social gospel”, then it is bad.
Praise music in amphitheater settings is deafening. Organ ‘interruptions’ and arpeggios are silly.
I used to think less of people who sang the old hymns, like “I Walk in the Garden Alone,” as hicks. “A Mighty Fortress” was just loud.
I’ve changed. I like very few Praise songs and don’t want to feel like I am going to listen to a rock band.
I believe I am in the minority now, though.