Posted on 11/05/2014 6:44:35 PM PST by hiho hiho
Nothing is wrong with different styles as long as they are focused on Christ.
There are a number of reasons to offer different worship styles.
1. Not all churches have 10,000 seat auditoreums.
2. Not all churches have 5000 slot parking lots.
3. When seating capacity gets near to 75% visitors are uncomfortable looking and regulars are uncomfortable looking. Visitors tend not to visit again.
4. When parking is hard to find, visitors vote with their accelerator and regulars get antsy.
5. Therefore, it is better to have two services than one packed service.
6. If you are having 2 or more services anyway, then there is value in exploring other styles.
7. There is no reason different worship styles can’t both be faithful to scripture.
People who argue against different styles always seem to argue their style is best and everyone else must give up what they like.
"We will all join in singing the unending hymn, even if we dont like the tune, even if there are no projection screens, even if the seating doesnt perfectly mold to each individual backside. Perhaps we should start practicing now."
According to Revelation 5, worship in Heaven is spoken anyway. Imagine the surprise :) In the meantime, the never ending search for Churchtainment is both distracting and saddening in terms of a unified worship experience.
Let’s compromise. We’ll do it my way.
(I’ve heard that somewhere before.)
As Dr. Steve would say, "there's a seeker born any minute!"
Well said Padre, I’m with you.
As one whose ancestral denomination saw countless congregations separate over German vs English in the late 1800’s: Spot on.
EVERYBODY has to bend a little. The young need to learn traditional hymns. Their elders need to accept some of the youngster’s musical style.
If any become too stubborn the sad result is stratification and division.
Revelation 5:9 King James Version (KJV)
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Revelation 5:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 And they sang a new song, saying:
You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
If American Christians think African Christians or Korean Christians are worshipping just like them, then they are in a fantasy land.
Absolutely...Churches should be inclusive!
But we all worship the same Jesus. Am I missing something?
Nope, you’re right. Jesus isn’t divided.
And somehow He manages to get over cultural worship differences. If He can manage differences in such things, then we can tolerate scripturally valid differences that are worshipful of God.
I cringe every time I hear a modern “I Wanna be Jesus’ Girlfriend” worship song...
If I want to attend a chant Mass — I go to a Tridentine Mass
If I want to attend a Mass with traditional music — I go to the early morning Mass.
If I want to attend a Mass with contemporary music and guitars — I go to the mid-morning Mass.
If I want Spanish music — I attend the Spanish Mass.
The Sacrifice of the Mass is the same — just different styles of worship.
Why worry about it?????
I look forward to the services to the LGBT crowd. That would be very inclusive.
I have no problem with traditional hymns or contemporary “worship” songs. I would welcome both in the “traditional” service. What I have a problem with, at least the way my home church runs things, is that the “contemporary” service is like any non-denominational contemporary service. There is very very little included in the service that helps to identify that it’s actually at an LCMS church.
I would have to agree with the author on this. Having participated as a musician in worship music for 35 years I’ve played in symphony orchestras as well as 4 piece rock bands. It is obvious to me that the vast majority of contemporary “worship” music is indeed centered on American pop culture and invariably shallows the profound truths of G*d’s plan of salvation and how he manifests his exalted status in our universe. Self expression is the rule, not the exception as musicians jam and riff as their mood allows and there is a notable lack of disciplined musical excellence among the participants.
The “old” hymns are only old just as scripture is old. The symphonic orchestral performance and congregational singing are quite different, especially since the congregation usually gets to read the actual music as written instead of going on and on like mindless drones about silly catch phrases projected onto a wall while trying to figure out what notes might fit with the musicians. Worship is also about giving G*d your “A” game and that’s where musical study and discipline come in. What is a joyful noise to the Lord? Probably not something thrown together with almost no forethought or depth of logical proclamation.
Of course G*d meets us where we’re at but most churches seem to think they have to conform to the short-lived fads of our depraved culture in order to reach people with the Gospel. If ever there was a time to be provocative, unsettling, and incompatible with our dominant culture it is now, however many churches will soon realize their irrelevance.
"Worship" music is supposed to bring us to a place of praise and worship, is it not? It's a worship of GOD, our Creator, Lord, Savior, King and Father not something we include in our time with those of like mind to entertain ourselves. It doesn't mean that only old hymns must be sung, but that whatever is sung is something that reminds us of God's glory, love and amazing grace and the "sacrifice of praise" is what we give back to Him.
I can usually always tell the difference between true worship music and stuff that is not because, with the true, I have tears streaming down my face as I sing along. It touches deep within my soul and I sense the presence of the Holy Spirit among us and within us. That can't be faked.
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