"Lying in Church"
S.M. Hutchens has a wonderful post in Mere Comments today on a topic near and dear to my heart: the state of worship in the church today (particularly in evangelical churches). It really picks up from another thread he started earlier this year called "Amazing Worship." I had several comments to the earlier thread, and posted a couple to the current thread today. Essentially Hutchens argues that what passes for worship in most evangelical churches today (CCM--contemporary Christian music-- plus a sermon) will eventually lead to heterodoxy, since half the "worship" (the CCM) will no longer have any doctrinal guardrails. He's right of course.
The other, and more immediate issue is that CCM as "worship" is a narcissistic endeavor--its purpose is to entertain the audience (sorry, "congregation"), not to worship the Lord God of the universe. It elicits emotions, not thoughts. It is puerile, not adult.
posted by Bill R @ 8:34 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
You know, this is an excellent point. I will admit that I prefer the modern music, but I understand your side. I don't think everyone who likes modern music is hedonistic, though. I think it's a little more complex than that. For instance, it's not as if the words lack all meaning. Also, the Bible does say to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
However, the Plymouth Brethren also agree with you, and don't believe in doing anything frilly, which is why they sing entirely acapello (sp? I'm tired this AM)
I would also point out that most of the hymns are old and dirgelike... and don't seem to say much more than they modern music does (though there are exceptions in both categories)
Saur, I admit I painted with a broad brush. There is actually a lot of CCM I like, but the point is that it may not belong in the worship service. There seems to be a misunderstanding by some folks in the Mere Comments thread that to express dislike of the use of certain music in worship is to find all such music worthless. That's certainly not how I feel. But certain music points not only our feelings but our thoughts toward God. If you can't make out the words because of the electric guitar or the drums, you aren't using the music to worship God. Similarly, some CCM is just plain vapid (again, not all), and should be restricted to the home by those who like it.
Some of the old hymns are dirge-like, I'll admit. In my church, the pastor has a list in the vestibule for parishioners to suggest favorite hymns for the service. I think this is an excellent idea. We don't get many dirges then!
Ah, you and I are in agreement then. Though I prefer more modern music, the words and worship are of utmost importance because, as you point out, we're not there to sing the Top 40.
...but there are some old fashioned hymns which I never would sing in good conscience, because I didn't agree with the words. So I would sit there in mute defiance as others sang them. I can't remember what they were at this moment, but usually it was something like how I was dancing about joyfully (and I don't do either all the time, so it's false).
In church, I don't have the option to discuss the semantics of a song and don't wish to be seen as picky but have to follow my own conscience there, too.
Too true, Saur! (By the way, I like the new pic. Certainly more flattering than a tin can!)
But can we distinguish between hymns we don't like for emotional reasons (such as your dancing example), and those that are theologically questionable?
In any event, what I'm driving at is that music ought not to be "aimed" at one age group only, but at all the church. I understand why churches want to be attractive to those under 30 or so, but what it takes to do that may turn off many over 50. This requires a great deal of wisdom and discretion to accomplish, but I firmly believe it's possible.
i think it just depends on what people are used to, bill. there are many older-aged, but spiritually newborn christians in my church who never complain about the electric guitar, bass, or drums we have up front.
TS, very true. That describes a lot of my friends! I don't necessarily quarrel with them, except to say that they are truly missing something if they fail to get to know what the traditional liturgy is all about. It's not really just a matter of taste.
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