As for the article, I agree in part and disagree in part. Certainly I think the modern-pop "praise music" or contemporary Christian music is by and large just trash. From a musical point of view, the melodies are trite, repetitive, unimaginative, and banal. The words even more so - just advertising jingles with Our Lord as the product.
I think the author gives too much credit to the music as having an actual theme or goal, or an effect rather than simply that of being forced to listen to bad music. Perhaps the words have some sort of osmosis effect of leading the listener/singer to dwell on narcissism, but most of the self indulgence that's going on is that of the composer and writer. The analogy that comes to my mind is not a warm bubble bath but stagnant ditch water.
But then I REALLY hate bad music. It's an insult to the Lord to offer Him any less than the very best we have.
Thank you very much for this article. I'm sure I would not have seen it if not for FR.
I believe it is a good thing that people can worship within their comfort zone. Whether it's in a beautiful traditional church with an awesome pipe organ and choir, or in the secret and small confines of a house in Shanghai with nothing but your own voice and maybe a guitar, we need to give our praise to God. Only God can judge the way in which we worship, and if we're doing it from the bottom of our heart and from our soul, He will love it.
Think of this example. If your son or daughter sings for you, praising your name, whether accompanied by an organ and choir, or by electric guitars and drums, do you not feel loved and appreciated? And does it matter to you how proud they are that you are their father or mother? I would venture to say the prouder, the better.
Does that mean that a worship team is proud of itself? To the contrary. A worship team is doing the work of the Lord, giving the congregation a means through which they can give their thanks and praise to God.
This article does not discuss how worship teams convene at conferences like "Urbana" to remind themselves of their duty to Christ. The primary issue that worship teams must be aware of is the human ego and how it can obstruct the congregation and itself from truly worshipping God.
The bottom line is, if the style of the music (endless guitar solos, etc.) or the loudness of the music (worship shouldn't make you deaf) or really flashy clothing distract from the overall purpose of worshipping God and putting Him first, then the worship team may not be doing God's work to the best of its ability.
I never dreamed that I would be part of a worship team. I get stage fright in the worst way: I shake and my face turns red involuntarily! I was content to take from the service and be on my merry way.
But then someone found out that I knew how to mix sound on a PA system. Someone asked me if I would try helping with the sound system. I enjoyed helping.
After a year or so, someone heard my singing and asked me if I might try backup singing. I wrestled with the idea for a long time - for I had been given an extensive musical education by my parents, which I had rejected years ago to pursue my career. Besides, why embarrass myself up there anyway?
My wife dared me to do it, promising that she would join too so that I wouldn't be alone (what a lady!). So here I am, another year later, playing accordion and acoustic guitar (electric if I could!) in addition to singing. The friends we have made in the process have been priceless. And most of all, we enjoy the extra time we take practising every other week.
The important thing is, God gives us gifts to use for His purpose. He gives others financial abilities, political abiities, scientific or athletic abilities. He gave me musical ability. He has called me, through various people, to use it or lose it.
The church that I attend has a mostly Chinese congregation. They've been around for almost a hundred years. There are two services. One is in a sanctuary and is a traditional service with hymns and creeds, spoken mostly in Cantonese. The other is in English in a gymnasium with a worship team, modern songs on an overhead projector (we mix in some hymns as well) and an American pastor who is a gifted orator. I enjoy both kinds of services, especially our joint services when we celebrate special occasions.
But you can guess which service I prefer. I like the fact that numerous university-age young adults attend the English service with modern music.
I wouldn't go as far as saying that this service is "casual", because we follow an order, have communion and take it as seriously as anyone else. But if you speak the language of young people, including the musical language, then can they not better understand the message that God wants them to hear?
There is a question about whether the lyrics of modern Christian songs would be pleasing to God, or whether they are simply self-serving. I'll end this post with a few examples that we sing regularly that you may not have heard:
Heart of Worship
by Matt Redman
When the music fades and all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the things I've made it
When it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
King of endless worth, no one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours
Every single breath
---
Here I Am To Worship
by Tim Hughes
Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, Let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore you
Hope of a life spent with you
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
So highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly you came to the earth you created
All for love's sake became poor
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross