A few years ago, a woman came up to me after the worship service, and asked why I looked so solemn during the singing. "Worship should be joyful," she argued. I responded that I was truly joyful, and that my serious composure was the result of being joyful in the presence of the Holy Lord...or something like that.
The attitude that many Christians have and assume is that older music doesn't have any use for us today. "It is outdated." "It was cool back then, but not now." "We want music that we find cool." On and on the modern thought goes.
By what standard? Now that is a good question. By what standard is the music we bring before the throne of God worthy? Firstly, none of our music is ever worthy of God. Secondly, the standard by which must judge our music is Scripture. Yes, even the tempo, yes even the rhythm, yes even the instruments played. Questions asked may include: "Does instrument A help us to focus our corporate attention on the Lord better than instrument B?" "Does this rhythm communicate an enjoyment of self more than an enjoyment of God?" "Does the melody of this piece have a sacred sound? Is that important?"
We need to be asking ourselves more revealing questions about the song-singing in our churches. We must do so for the sake of the Kingdom.
Source article: http://www.christkirk.com/Literature/Worship.asp
Also check out: http://www.amazon.com/Reaching-Out-Without-Dumbing-Down/dp/0802841023/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246338515&sr=8-1
The attitude that many Christians have and assume is that older music doesn't have any use for us today. "It is outdated." "It was cool back then, but not now." "We want music that we find cool." On and on the modern thought goes.
By what standard? Now that is a good question. By what standard is the music we bring before the throne of God worthy? Firstly, none of our music is ever worthy of God. Secondly, the standard by which must judge our music is Scripture. Yes, even the tempo, yes even the rhythm, yes even the instruments played. Questions asked may include: "Does instrument A help us to focus our corporate attention on the Lord better than instrument B?" "Does this rhythm communicate an enjoyment of self more than an enjoyment of God?" "Does the melody of this piece have a sacred sound? Is that important?"
We need to be asking ourselves more revealing questions about the song-singing in our churches. We must do so for the sake of the Kingdom.
Source article: http://www.christkirk.com/Literature/Worship.asp
Also check out: http://www.amazon.com/Reaching-Out-Without-Dumbing-Down/dp/0802841023/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246338515&sr=8-1
2 comments:
I was just discussing this very issue with some friends. At my own church, a second, more contemporary service is offered. At this service, the hymnody is abolished in favor of a more emotive and "seeker friendly" songs. Lyrical content aside, what message is sent when the altar, baptismal font and lectern are set aside to make room for the praise band? Who is the focus when God's sacraments, His very means of grace, are set aside for a more palatable praise experience? Many often attempt to sweep the issue of music aside as it pertains to church worship, stating that it is really only an issue of personal preference. But when God's work is supplanted by man's work, the issue becomes theological in scope.
Well written Steve. Although my post could be misinterpreted as purely cynical, there are some great hymns being made today, although not realized in nearly the same large scale as ages past. Perhaps my biggest lament would be the quality of the songs, musically speaking, that many churches pass off as "pleasing to God." Surely the Spirit takes our feeble efforts in song just as He does with our prayers and presents them spotless before the Throne, but the excellence of musical quality that was treasured hundreds of years ago has for the most part fallen on deaf ears today.
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