Posted on 02/25/2006 9:50:55 PM PST by hiho hiho
Lake Pointe is a megachurch with contemporary-style worship. Years back, it dissolved its choir and got rid of its hymnals in favor of Christian "praise" music, played by a rock band,with lyrics flashed on big screens. That style still dominates at Lake Pointe. But in August, sensing demand, the church debuted its "Classic Service," an early Sunday morning alternative service with choir, piano, organ and lots of congregational singing – out of those shiny new hymnals.
Call it a counter-reformation, or a rear guard action in the worship wars. But more and more churches that cast their lot with contemporary worship are beginning to innovate through tradition, giving folks some old-time religion – especially hymns.
Mr. Stroope, 52, describes himself as equally fond of contemporary Christian music and hymns. He signed on as Lake Pointe's pastor in 1980, a few months after it was founded by seven families in an abandoned bait shop. Now Lake Pointe has 10,000 members and a $12 million budget – and the contemporary worship style is clearly one of the reasons.
But as Mr. Stroope watched the church grow, he worried that a percentage of its loyal members were gritting their teeth through the electrified praise music.
To run the classic service, Mr. Stroope recruited the church's senior adult pastor, Lyn Cypert, and hired Don Blackley, a veteran Dallas-area Baptist minister of music. This was a little ironic, because when Lake Pointe sold off its choral library in pre-Classic Service days, Mr. Blackley bought 31 of its anthems and orchestrations for First Baptist in Garland, where he was interim music director.
"Now I'm building back a choral library I helped diminish," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
Yeah nothing our church wants more than to knock the dust off of 60 year old songs and go accapella on it.
NOT.
Music is to be two things, worshipful and edifying. When you strip people of something which is a part of the fabric of their souls, you are not edifying but sending the message "your needs don't matter." That is an evil thing to do.
BOTH have a place. THe Hymns offer a rich heritage and some deep theology (ever read some of the lyrics of some of those songs. You don't get that out of most praise choruses). The Choruses offer a contemporary sound that people can just relax and sink into.
Don't throw away a whole group of Christians just because they have a preference other than your own.
I admit that we do use the hymanals once in a great while but frankly unless it's a well known song, it just doesn't get the congregation goin'.
Some of the old songs truly are beautiful songs, but most are just old. It's like forcing a teenager today to sit and listen to WWII era music. It really has nothing in common with the lives and experiances of young people today.
I do like some hymnal music, but give me some Chris Tomlin, Todd Agnew or Kutlass any day over a dusty old book.
Many hymns (admittedly not all) are mini-systematic theologies -- hymns by Charles Wesley, and Isaac Watts, to mention a few. Something like "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" alone could get most people through the gulag. Some hymns are pap, just as some contemporary praise music is pap. Why junk music that either fueled or grew out of periods of massive revival, because some "church growth consultant" has said that one can't appeal to the "right demographic" if traditional hymns are used?
Maybe there ought to be time set aside for both to be done, contemporary songs AND Hymnals. I'm just saying that unless your church is a large majority over 50, it's not going to be an experience you will enjoy.
In my church, we use the hymnals sparingly and most likely it is because the average age of our congregation is about 33. Hmmm, nice age there I think.;o)
"Faith of our Fathers, we will love, both friend and foe in all our strife/ and preach Thee too, as love knows how, by kindly word and virtuous life."
That is consistent with my observations that it is the 25 to 35 age range that is intolerant of other musical styles. If allowed to do so, they will take over a musical program and run off anyone who doesn't like the 'happy-clappy' style.
Tradional sacred music was written in 4 part harmony and was very beautiful, But this was when people were musically literate. Today we have people you call themselves musicians but can only play 3 cords, it's all apart of the dummying down of America.
I love the old hymns. What a friend we have in Jesus, Old Rugged Cross, In the garden, and the best one of all...How Great Thou Art.
And he walks with me
and he talks with me
and he tells me I am his own
and the joy we share as we tarry there
none other has ever known.
From my observations on Chinese-language contemporary music and hymns, it looks both types are not too different in theology from each other. There are a number of contemporary songs with very explicitly taken-from-the-Bible-lessons lyrics, and to be honest, traditional hymns like "Joy to the World" aren't actually literally filled with hundreds of Bible lessons in its lyrics. And I dare to say that many hymns can be condensed into "Look at the beatriful nature! It's God's creation!". Probably equally shallow as many contemporary music.
Yep. You are absolutely right on the money. And guess what? My rock and roll teenagers agree. They love hymns, pipe organ and a good choir because THAT is what makes church special and sacred. Why would they want to go if it's just like everything else they hear and experience?
Yes church music today is set to dance hall music with different words for the time being.
Innovate?
That is consistent with my observations that it is the 25 to 35 age range that is intolerant of other musical styles. If allowed to do so, they will take over a musical program and run off anyone who doesn't like the 'happy-clappy' style
ping
I've attended other churches since Dennis died, and their music even though they have choirs, talented organist and pianist are sadly lacking what just those 2 talented musicians were able to produce. One offered TO LOUD hip-hop style music for their young people. Drove me out the door after 5 minutes with a headache. I even put my shooting ear plugs in to try and dampen the loudness, but it still hurt my ears. Needless to say I've not been back to that church.
Most congregations are made up of several generations, your have to offer something for each generation with you music. Also you have to have a blend of fast and slow songs so as not to be bland, boring and monotoned.
The best hymns aren't 60 years old. Most of the good ones are 100 years old plus. Issaac Watts and Charles Wesley come immediately to mind...
Accapella, paricularly done in 4 part harmony is quite beautiful, btw....
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