Comments on: Modern Church Music http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html Pretentious Waffle from Wales Sat, 03 Mar 2012 19:18:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Judy http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html/comment-page-1#comment-101532 Judy Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:23:14 +0000 http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html#comment-101532 An artist named Jadin Lavik has put out a wonderful CD called "Roots run deep". It is a combination of old hymns done in contemporary style that I think is very appealing to a wide range of people. I don't know if it's available in written form, but it might give you some good ideas. Just play some old hymns with guitars, quiet drums, put them up on the over-head and listen to the words! An artist named Jadin Lavik has put out a wonderful CD called “Roots run deep”. It is a combination of old hymns done in contemporary style that I think is very appealing to a wide range of people. I don’t know if it’s available in written form, but it might give you some good ideas. Just play some old hymns with guitars, quiet drums, put them up on the over-head and listen to the words!

]]> By: Peter http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html/comment-page-1#comment-101524 Peter Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:28:36 +0000 http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html#comment-101524 Hi, I've been tasked with finding modern versions of hymns. Anyone know where to look as I'm stuck! Hi,
I’ve been tasked with finding modern versions of hymns. Anyone know where to look as I’m stuck!

]]> By: Olivia http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html/comment-page-1#comment-98474 Olivia Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:32:28 +0000 http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html#comment-98474 I am doing a research paper on this topic and im so glad i found this site. I have read every post on this site and find it so interesting how and why we believe what we believe. I feel like this topis disconnects the unity we started out with. I have always been interested in the topic and others like it. I think its awesome how passionate each person is about it, it lets me know im not the only one who has done alot of thinking about it. thanks for the help. and thanks Stephen for posting this. VERY insightful. I am doing a research paper on this topic and im so glad i found this site. I have read every post on this site and find it so interesting how and why we believe what we believe. I feel like this topis disconnects the unity we started out with. I have always been interested in the topic and others like it. I think its awesome how passionate each person is about it, it lets me know im not the only one who has done alot of thinking about it. thanks for the help. and thanks Stephen for posting this. VERY insightful.

]]> By: Zeke http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html/comment-page-1#comment-90887 Zeke Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:26:38 +0000 http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html#comment-90887 Bro. Dennis, you are a wise man. I urgently pray for the church as a whole. May God totally ROCK our viewpoint of Him and pursue 4 goals as followers of the King... 1. Intimacy with Christ 2. Passion for His Kingdom 3. Completion in Christ 4. Personally pure Be Intimate . Be Passionate . Be Complete . Be Pure Bro. Dennis, you are a wise man. I urgently pray for the church as a whole. May God totally ROCK our viewpoint of Him and pursue 4 goals as followers of the King…

1. Intimacy with Christ
2. Passion for His Kingdom
3. Completion in Christ
4. Personally pure

Be Intimate . Be Passionate . Be Complete . Be Pure

]]> By: Dennis http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html/comment-page-1#comment-90882 Dennis Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:25:51 +0000 http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html#comment-90882 Zeke, Thanks for the reference material. I certainly don't have the answers as my poem indicates. In one Plymouth Brethren assembly we had a quiet service where everything was quiet until someone felt led to pray, read a scripture, or sing. The hymnals had no music, but most of the older folks had enough musical knowledge to know the names of the most common tunes and would name a tune to accompany the lyrics and then lead out in singing. The sermon was delivered to the adults in the service that followed. This was different from my upbringing as a Baptist in the South. I think "Church" in the sense of what we do on Sunday morning reflects the culture. I am uncomfortable with our culture today and find it hard to watch most television fare, read current literature, or be in large crowds of people who probably enjoy reality T.V. So, I guess it's not a stretch to be uncomfortable with what's going on inside our Church Building. I know it is not much different than what was happening in the first Century Church where outside influences caused numerous problems. I just wish it wasn't so. I do think our worship is directed toward God and that's why he created us. But, I think he knew us well enough to know that we needed to do it. Just like prayer. He knows before we ask him, but we need to pray. It is just part of what we need to do in the presence of Almighty God. It helps us to bridge the gap between the reality of our carnal world and the spiritual world we have some difficulty grasping. Both praying and singing are concrete activities we can do that tap into our emotions, thoughts, and "still small voice" messages. When to din becomes too great, and the external trappings of making and delivering the music supersede the message, then I think we've gone too far. But, I don't look for much change. I really never considered that I would become a grumpy old man. Zeke, Thanks for the reference material. I certainly don’t have the answers as my poem indicates. In one Plymouth Brethren assembly we had a quiet service where everything was quiet until someone felt led to pray, read a scripture, or sing. The hymnals had no music, but most of the older folks had enough musical knowledge to know the names of the most common tunes and would name a tune to accompany the lyrics and then lead out in singing. The sermon was delivered to the adults in the service that followed. This was different from my upbringing as a Baptist in the South. I think “Church” in the sense of what we do on Sunday morning reflects the culture. I am uncomfortable with our culture today and find it hard to watch most television fare, read current literature, or be in large crowds of people who probably enjoy reality T.V. So, I guess it’s not a stretch to be uncomfortable with what’s going on inside our Church Building. I know it is not much different than what was happening in the first Century Church where outside influences caused numerous problems. I just wish it wasn’t so. I do think our worship is directed toward God and that’s why he created us. But, I think he knew us well enough to know that we needed to do it. Just like prayer. He knows before we ask him, but we need to pray. It is just part of what we need to do in the presence of Almighty God. It helps us to bridge the gap between the reality of our carnal world and the spiritual world we have some difficulty grasping. Both praying and singing are concrete activities we can do that tap into our emotions, thoughts, and “still small voice” messages. When to din becomes too great, and the external trappings of making and delivering the music supersede the message, then I think we’ve gone too far. But, I don’t look for much change. I really never considered that I would become a grumpy old man.

]]> By: Zeke http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html/comment-page-1#comment-90880 Zeke Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:47:14 +0000 http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html#comment-90880 Dennis, I apologize for using the word "stinking" in my last comment. I totally see your point of view. This website is a great page to vent out concerns, praises and also makes you re-think Christian culture; however one of my biggest challenges about most of the comments are all centers on an Westernized Christian Culture. Meaning as we waste our time on what we think music should be or look like in our movement; we have brothers and sisters in the faith global who are losing there lives for the main reason for standing for Christ. God is bigger then what we think pleases HIM in song. Matt Redman an English worship leader wrote the best song I believe on worship called "THE HEART OF WORSHIP" Here is a link to the story and lyrics. http://www.crosswalk.com/1253122/ STORY http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics1/Heart_of_Worship.htm LYRICS Dennis, I apologize for using the word “stinking” in my last comment. I totally see your point of view. This website is a great page to vent out concerns, praises and also makes you re-think Christian culture; however one of my biggest challenges about most of the comments are all centers on an Westernized Christian Culture. Meaning as we waste our time on what we think music should be or look like in our movement; we have brothers and sisters in the faith global who are losing there lives for the main reason for standing for Christ. God is bigger then what we think pleases HIM in song. Matt Redman an English worship leader wrote the best song I believe on worship called “THE HEART OF WORSHIP” Here is a link to the story and lyrics.

http://www.crosswalk.com/1253122/ STORY
http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics1/Heart_of_Worship.htm LYRICS

]]> By: Dennis http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html/comment-page-1#comment-90868 Dennis Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:48:02 +0000 http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html#comment-90868 We have devolved as humans in almost every arena during my sixty plus years. This decline is evident in every culture and is part of the process in which men try to bring God down to their level. Instead of moving toward the example set down by Jesus Christ, we have a tendency to put ourselves first and then rationalize our behavior to ease our dulling conscience. Only periods of hardship seem to bring on revival. The idea that any old thing is acceptable where worship is concerned seems to be the order of the day. I don't find this type of worship mentioned anywhere in my bible. It has become what one previous worship leader describes as a "stinking party". I put heavy emphasis on the "stinking" part. To use such casual verbiage when referring to our heavenly experience is to exemplify the current trend to make everyone feel comfortable at the expense of remaining reverent. Bill Gaither said he liked the old hymns not because they were old, but because they are great (paraphrase). Churches taught their assemblies how to read music and sing using hymnals. Choirs were used to enhance to worshipful atmosphere and ready the members for receiving the message. They were also teachers who lead qualified lay persons in providing music education to children and teens outside the church service. I wrote a poem to describe my angst. Liturgy Lost I arrive each Sunday morning with some anticipation that perhaps I’ll find it again. Worship. I feel no comfort, only anxiety. Has it left me, or have I left it? Am I on the wrong page? The buzz of people talking in the sanctuary before the service, politics, health, sports, gossip, it creates quite a din. No time for quiet reflection, thoughts of God, relief from the every day. Hustle to be on time. Announcements with prayers in them. Prayers with announcements in them. Racks with unused hymnals, silent reminders of the inspired utterances of saintly poets. Sometimes we sing one or two, rarely stopping for a breath between them so we can chant some over used chorus several times while craning our necks to see the words displayed high above on a drop down screen. No music to follow. Just some bouncy tune that we should know because we hear it so often. It makes me want to bunny hop down the aisle. I squirm and hope that the song service ends soon. Worship. Dennis P. We have devolved as humans in almost every arena during my sixty plus years. This decline is evident in every culture and is part of the process in which men try to bring God down to their level. Instead of moving toward the example set down by Jesus Christ, we have a tendency to put ourselves first and then rationalize our behavior to ease our dulling conscience. Only periods of hardship seem to bring on revival. The idea that any old thing is acceptable where worship is concerned seems to be the order of the day. I don’t find this type of worship mentioned anywhere in my bible. It has become what one previous worship leader describes as a “stinking party”. I put heavy emphasis on the “stinking” part. To use such casual verbiage when referring to our heavenly experience is to exemplify the current trend to make everyone feel comfortable at the expense of remaining reverent. Bill Gaither said he liked the old hymns not because they were old, but because they are great (paraphrase). Churches taught their assemblies how to read music and sing using hymnals. Choirs were used to enhance to worshipful atmosphere and ready the members for receiving the message. They were also teachers who lead qualified lay persons in providing music education to children and teens outside the church service. I wrote a poem to describe my angst.

Liturgy Lost

I arrive each Sunday morning
with some anticipation
that perhaps I’ll find it again.

Worship.

I feel no comfort, only anxiety.
Has it left me, or have I left it?
Am I on the wrong page?
The buzz of people talking in the sanctuary
before the service,
politics, health, sports, gossip,
it creates quite a din.
No time for quiet reflection,
thoughts of God,
relief from the every day.

Hustle to be on time.
Announcements with prayers in them.
Prayers with announcements in them.
Racks with unused hymnals,
silent reminders of the inspired
utterances of saintly poets.

Sometimes we sing one or two,
rarely stopping for a breath between them
so we can chant some over used chorus
several times while craning our necks
to see the words displayed high above
on a drop down screen.

No music to follow. Just some bouncy tune
that we should know because we
hear it so often.
It makes me want to bunny hop down the aisle.
I squirm and hope that the song service ends soon.

Worship.

Dennis P.

]]> By: Judy http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html/comment-page-1#comment-90867 Judy Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:07:04 +0000 http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html#comment-90867 I've been doing a word study from scripture on the phrase in two separate verses :"...teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Col. 3:16 and Eph. 5:19. This sounds to me like a variety of music used in a teaching setting. I wonder why Paul used three different words for making music in worship? Maybe because he knew we need more than one way to express ourselves. "Psalms" I've learned were something meant to be accompanied by stringed instruments. Well, we're doing that today. "Hymns", are songs of praise, addressed to God. "Spiritual songs" are songs that reveal spiritual truths. I love the hymns and miss singing them in church now. I like much of the new CCM, but I don't understand why churches have to be so exclusive in their use of one or the other. Why not a variety? I'm sure there must churches out there trying to do that. I just wish more would try for a little diversity. It sounds like that was what Paul was encouraging. I’ve been doing a word study from scripture on the phrase in two separate verses :”…teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Col. 3:16 and Eph. 5:19. This sounds to me like a variety of music used in a teaching setting. I wonder why Paul used three different words for making music in worship? Maybe because he knew we need more than one way to express ourselves. “Psalms” I’ve learned were something meant to be accompanied by stringed instruments. Well, we’re doing that today. “Hymns”, are songs of praise, addressed to God. “Spiritual songs” are songs that reveal spiritual truths.

I love the hymns and miss singing them in church now. I like much of the new CCM, but I don’t understand why churches have to be so exclusive in their use of one or the other. Why not a variety? I’m sure there must churches out there trying to do that. I just wish more would try for a little diversity. It sounds like that was what Paul was encouraging.

]]> By: Zeke http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html/comment-page-1#comment-90003 Zeke Sun, 24 May 2009 14:44:23 +0000 http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html#comment-90003 You all sound like people who have been a part of Gods work for a while, Thank you. I am a worship leader and just want to say; that as one, I love leading and pointing people to truth through music. You can talk about all the theology and history of what people view is a right way or wrong way of expressing worship through music; but I really honestly believe that the bible paints a perfect picture of what our response to music will look like in heaven. And guess what? its literally a stinking PARTY. One that celebrates the Goodness and Greatness of our Savior. Very expressive, with high energy and also I believe melodic reverence. My opportunity is to point those who don't know Jesus to truth by them seeing the freedom of our essence of worship; and that those who do know him would just get in on it and not be so technical or legalistic of styles or preference. You all sound like people who have been a part of Gods work for a while, Thank you. I am a worship leader and just want to say; that as one, I love leading and pointing people to truth through music. You can talk about all the theology and history of what people view is a right way or wrong way of expressing worship through music; but I really honestly believe that the bible paints a perfect picture of what our response to music will look like in heaven. And guess what? its literally a stinking PARTY. One that celebrates the Goodness and Greatness of our Savior. Very expressive, with high energy and also I believe melodic reverence. My opportunity is to point those who don’t know Jesus to truth by them seeing the freedom of our essence of worship; and that those who do know him would just get in on it and not be so technical or legalistic of styles or preference.

]]> By: Dennis Price http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html/comment-page-1#comment-78937 Dennis Price Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:41:18 +0000 http://safle.org/wordpress/2007/01/23/modern-church-music.html#comment-78937 Well said Barbara. Well said Barbara.

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