BCP revision?

[Naomi4Christ]

We would no sooner have a projection screen than we would a praise band. It just doesn't fit for us.

What is the difference between a praise band and a choir?

 

[seeking.IAM]

What is the difference between a praise band and a choir?

I have no doubt both are pleasing to God, but we humans have our individual preferences. And, I submit that certain settings and styles predispose themselves to different things.

 

[Albion]

What is the difference between a praise band and a choir?

A praise band is mainly entertainment for the congregation.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

A praise band is mainly entertainment for the congregation.

I will let our worship group know.

And also that our choir are not valued.

 

[Paidiske]

A praise band is mainly entertainment for the congregation.

I think that's a bit harsh. It can be that, but it can also be very careful, thoughtful, prayerful support to the participation of the whole congregation in worship.

 

[Albion]

I will let our worship group know.

I'm confident that they already know.

And also that our choir are not valued.

If that is your opinion. I said nothing about the choir.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

So the choir lead worship but the band doesn't?

 

[Albion]

I think that's a bit harsh. It can be that, but it can also be very careful, thoughtful, prayerful support to the participation of the whole congregation in worship.

Okay, there may be something of a point there, but I was being very serious about this. Every "praise band" that I have witnessed has entertained the congregation. And the congregations (non-Anglican) were obviously entertained, too. This could be observed by the people's reaction. Further, the band members are typically on a stage and gesturing, etc. as any pop music group does during a concert. They are performing.

I'm sorry if anyone was offended by this, but the question was asked and I was entirely serious, not sarcastic or even particularly critical when saying what I did. Some Christians go for that sort of thing.

That's my considered opinion based upon my personal experiences. If others have a different one, I am interested to hear those.

 

[seeking.IAM]

So the choir lead worship but the band doesn't?

Hopefully, neither one leads worship. Either should augment worship.

 

[Paidiske]

Okay, there may be something of a point there, but I was being very serious about this. Every "praise band" that I have witnessed has entertained the congregation. And the congregations (non-Anglican) were obviously entertained as could be observed by the people's reaction. They are characteristically on stage and gesturing, etc. as any pop music group does during a concert.

I'm sorry if anyone was offended by this, but the question was asked and I am was entirely serious (and unemotional) when saying what I did. That's my considered opinion. If others have another one, that's fine.

Hmm. I used to be part of the praise band for an Anglican parish. We weren't up the front (much less "on stage"), and we weren't gesturing or performing. We were tucked away to a side, providing musical support to the sung worship of the congregation.

Sure, musical support that included drums, bass, etc; but nonetheless, our goal was to help the congregation orient their (sung) prayers to God.

Was it perfect? No. But then I don't really believe any form of human worship is, flawed beings that we are. But it was genuinely worshipful, and not at all "entertainment."

So it's not so much that I was offended, as that I wanted to challenge the idea that praise bands are universally bad, or universally "entertainment," because my experience is that there is a range of expressions in that as well.

(And, while we're making comparisons, I've also worked alongside a Cathedral choir that very much functioned as "entertainment," where tourists would come in and ask which service was "the best show," and that sort of thing; so the "entertainment" issue is not so much one of musical style as of attitude).

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Still trying to understand why a praise group is performing but a choir is not.

 

[Albion]

So it's not so much that I was offended,

No, but our friend apparently was.

as that I wanted to challenge the idea that praise bands are universally bad, or universally "entertainment," because my experience is that there is a range of expressions in that as well.

Well, I didn't say anything about "universally." In fact, I said "mainly," so I conceded right up front that it isn't an either-or, black or white matter.

It is fair for me to give my best answer to the question I was asked by describing what's commonplace. There no doubt are exceptions when it comes to praise bands, choirs, or almost everything else in life.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

No, but our friend apparently was.


Well, I didn't say anything about "universally." It is fair for me to give my best answer to the question I was asked by describing what's commonplace. There no doubt are exceptions when it comes to praise bands, choirs, or almost everything else in life.

Commonplace - where?

 

[Albion]

Friends! I gave my answer to the question asked of us in post 41. I expected other people to give theirs. Where are they?

 

[seeking.IAM]

What is the difference between a praise band and a choir?

Friends! I gave my answer to the question asked of us in post 41. I expected other people to give theirs. Where are they?

I think I have already made my thought clear. I think praise bands fit better in more informal/evangelical-leaning services. I think choirs/organs/piano/strings fit better in more formal worship settings. I believe that both when present should augment readings or nature of the worship day. They should support worship; they should not lead it.

 

[Paidiske]

Friends! I gave my answer to the question asked of us in post 41. I expected other people to give theirs. Where are they?

What's the difference between a praise band and a choir?

To my mind, the only real difference is musical style. And even then, that's a very blurry distinction, given that both praise bands and choirs employ a wide range of musical styles...

 

[Naomi4Christ]

They should support worship; they should not lead it.

No choir anthems, then?

 

[Paidiske]

I wouldn't have ever said a choral anthem was "leading" worship.

 

[Shane R]

My experience with praise bands in liturgical churches: they seem to attract folks who are over 60 and think they can sing or play a guitar. It's one last gig for them and gives them a little shot of euphoric nostalgia; a flash back to their 20s. I belonged to an LCMS church that had one and they played at the 11 a.m. service every two weeks (why is the contemporary service always the late service?) The most talented musician was a 14 year old boy who was a prodigy and played a 12 string guitar. He played a very elegant solo of probably about 6 bars one week, spontaneously. The band leader (60 something guy) nearly burst an aneurysm. He had a complete meltdown on that poor boy after the service. There was not much charity to be found in his remarks. I wandered for a couple of minutes if I should put him in a full Nelson for the safety of everyone around.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

The eldest person in our band is mid-50s, but the average age is in the 20s. Our choir on the other hand, has the youngest person about 70.