Hillsong!

[Ikari]

Hey all,
who hear uses Hillsong music at church? Our worship team uses them a lot.
Everyday, My Redeemer Lives, This is How we Overcome, I will Magnify You and God is Great are some of my favourites. The lyrics, if you really listen to them and put them in a context that takes in our awesome relationship with God, really make you want to praise and worship him!

I learnt to approach our worship songs from a different angle at a SCripture Union camp and applied it to our church service last night. Needless to say... it was the BEST church service I have ever been to.

God is great... all the time!

 

[chris42]

Hey, we use hillsong some of the time, they've got some great songs. Check out http://www.christianforums.com/t84191. It was a thread I started about songs people listen to.

 

[Icystwolf]

Ikari, this has nothing to do with you, it's all about me....others in this forum knows my deal with hillsong.....


So Blessed-One and Droobie, if I post anything, even if it's nice messages, please delete it... if it's good, it means it's going to lead into some debating backlash..... I'm finding it hard to control myself these days....

Anyways, sorry about my drama queen acting....

Continue Ikari, Songs are good, but it's prayer and other things besides songs that worships God. Theres Biblical theology on how songs are to be structured.

Anyways back into my bunker...

 

[Bevlina]

Hi Ikari!
Yes...Hillsong music I liked...but, on investigation into Hillsong, I don't like some of their actions. The music is uplifting and dynamic. I have the CD 'By Your Side' and I like 'I Feel Like I'm Falling'. But...I have to rethink about Hillsong.

 

[Wolflily]

Hi Bev!

I like Hillsongs music - we do some at our church - the usual culprits like All Things are Possible and Shout to the Lord. I'm curious as to what actions the church has taken that you find distasteful? They seem like an honestly-worshipping bunch of folks. (My husband recently gave me the "Hope" DVD as a belated Christmas present and we found the team very worshipful, not about performance at all)
Just curious!

 

[mamaneenie]

Yes, I have nothing personally against Hillsong. Our church sings it a lot. Although I am convinced that some of the worship leaders are beginning to look like Darlene Zchech (joke)

Well, I like their music to listen to in small doses, It is hard for the average person to sing though. I find I close my eyes and try and get into worship and I don't know the words until I've sung the song at least 6 times. So it is hard.

 

[Sharky]

I was watching one of a video about hillsong in kiev (russia) they're translating some of our songs too.

There's a russian worship team there and they are really full on.

 

[Bevlina]

Hi Bev!

I like Hillsongs music - we do some at our church - the usual culprits like All Things are Possible and Shout to the Lord. I'm curious as to what actions the church has taken that you find distasteful? They seem like an honestly-worshipping bunch of folks. (My husband recently gave me the "Hope" DVD as a belated Christmas present and we found the team very worshipful, not about performance at all)
Just curious!

No,no...I don't find it distasteful Wolf! I like the music! But, I don't know enough about Hillsong to really comment. I've only heard their music. I just have to rethink about alot of the new churches & find out whether everything is spot on with them re scripture, that's all. I really think the music is wonderful, but, that's all I really know about Hillsong. Their music! And, I find it filled with praise and worship. I just wonder if all they do is scripture about this big church they want to build. And, everything seems to be focused on the young. That leaves me to wonder.
And, like Mama, I couldn't listen to their music all the time.
To me, there is true worship by self. Take ten with God and look around and see His creations. In a crowded huge church with pop music type hymns and lights, I just wonder if it's all for real.

 

[elm1976]

We use some Hillsong also, but we use a HUGE range of other stuff in our worship time at church. There is such a great range of other stuff out there, local stuff also. Oxford Falls CCC for example is also really great and Paradise Community Church in Adelaide where Guy comes from. There is also alot of other churches bringing out there own stuff. Grace here in Canberra has just brought out a really good worship CD. You also cant go pass some of the English stuff. Michael W Smith's Worship and Worship again Cds has reminded us of alot of the other great worship writers out there ie Matt Redman, Rich Mullins etc.

 

[Ikari]

I think that when we do use Hillsong material in worship, we need to really think about the lyrics used and apply them in a God-people context. I took this angle and it made me appreciate how awesome God's grace is... I then experienced such a huge burst of love for Him that couldn't help lifting my hands and praising Him. - it was a totally awesome experience. I don't really care who the artist is, if the words and the music facilitate an environment within which I can worship God then its cool!

We must also be careful not to take our love of Hillsong to an idol-like level. We should never think of them as more than servants of the Lord who He has blessed with the ability to compose and then put into practice sincere songs of worship.

 

[elm1976]

I think that when we do use Hillsong material in worship, we need to really think about the lyrics used and apply them in a God-people context. I took this angle and it made me appreciate how awesome God's grace is... I then experienced such a huge burst of love for Him that couldn't help lifting my hands and praising Him. - it was a totally awesome experience. I don't really care who the artist is, if the words and the music facilitate an environment within which I can worship God then its cool!

We must also be careful not to take our love of Hillsong to an idol-like level. We should never think of them as more than servants of the Lord who He has blessed with the ability to compose and then put into practice sincere songs of worship.

You need to think about the content in whatever praise song or hymn we sing. Some of the best messages are in the old hymns and there is some really good versions of them out in modern arrangement, although nothing like singing a hymn with a pipe organ, the way that it was wrritten to be done.

I must admit though I don't like alot of the praise and worship music Hills have brought out in the last couple of years, the years of Geoff Bullock and Russell Frager were much better, they have got very repetitive. I can't get into there new CD at all, only a couple of songs. I used to watch Hillsong on a weekend on Television when feeding my son, now I watch the christian Music videos show "ONE" for the variety of songs.

 

[Bevlina]

Christian music knows no bounds, and I really do prefer the catholic hymns to Hillsong. Not being a catholic that may sound strange, but, there is a definite worship in the hymns. Hillsong is reaching 'pop' status. The beat, the voice, the rythm, the words.
And the words are good! But I have a bit of a problem with pop styled hymns. I like Hillsong music, but I wouldn't be too stressed if I didn't buy another CD.

 

[Wolflily]

I get concerned when churches get too "seeker-sensitive" and try to bring God down to our size rather than elevating Him and being honest about grace and salvation and SIN. I see way too many American Protestant churches emphasizing that it's ok to wear sweatpants to church and hang out like it's their own living room, complete with rock band on the altar. It's getting ridiculous.

One of the downfalls of a big worship team like Hillsongs is that it becomes more about a great musical environment that is geared to the young, trendy, and hip. I really enjoy their music, but like someone mentioned, the newer songwriters tend to be repetitive and the songs are hard for the average joe to play or sing. I like the Hope DVD and I could see that the team really are worshipping up there, but the whole set up is so slick and overpolished that it could be misused by many attendees who only get into God when there's a band involved. (like some friends of mine)

Oh well - there are all kinds of worship environments for all kinds of people and God will reach them in His own way even with all the hoopla we throw in His path!

 

[Droobie]

I see it as catering to the generation. Young people today are conditioned by television and other media to have information fed to them in bite sizes. Flash it here, flash it there.. have a commercial break, packaged for take-away. I believe that the Church must adapt and target this group of people, or it will lose touch with them.

Of course more conservative and traditional services will have a place with older generations. You have a church for children. You have churches in different languages. Why not a church for a different generation? I admit there may be not as much 'meat' in the message. However that should be addressed through follow up, in home care or cell groups on a more personal level.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Bevlina]

Two terrific posts.
Must admit I go for gentle every time. Whether it be church, animals, music,and etc;
I grew up in a world where there were no computers, no fast foods and no fast lane.
And, I just sort of feel that some of the churches are a little too swingy. Sort of like...in a fast lane? I can't explain it. But, the churches have to be huge, very modern and grand. I kind of, in a way, see Hillsong fitting into the category where people are loving the music...but...do they really stop to LISTEN to the words?
Are they really worshipping God? Or...are they worshipping the music and the beat.
I hope I'm making myself plain here...but...I don't think so somehow!
I see the fact that God never changes. He is gentle, He is Kind, He is Love....but, go against His Word in any way and His wrath is still there.
No matter what the generation...we are all equal to our Father in Heaven. So, I don't quite understand this modern swing to grab the young and cater for their taste and style. Oh! I know I've mucked all this posting up!!! But, I hope you get the general idea of what I'm trying to say.

 

[Sharky]

Some like it with hymms, melodies, just a guitar and piano, others like it with just percussion. Which ever way we do it, we all worship the same God.

Bottom line:
I know you're concerned about this. Alot of christians will think like that. But the truth is that they're doing what's pleasing to God and you're trying to stop them? We should never do that. Let me myself be cursed if i stop a christian from doing what pleases God based on my personal interpretations, opinions and self righteousness. I've done it before and it is NOT the Holy Spirit.

"After all the kingdom of God is not a matter of getting hte food and drink one likes but instead it is righteousness, the state which makes a person acceptable to God and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 He who serves Christ in this was is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men." ROM 14:17-18

 

[elm1976]

Two terrific posts.
Must admit I go for gentle every time. Whether it be church, animals, music,and etc;
I grew up in a world where there were no computers, no fast foods and no fast lane.
And, I just sort of feel that some of the churches are a little too swingy. Sort of like...in a fast lane? I can't explain it. But, the churches have to be huge, very modern and grand. I kind of, in a way, see Hillsong fitting into the category where people are loving the music...but...do they really stop to LISTEN to the words?
Are they really worshipping God? Or...are they worshipping the music and the beat.
I hope I'm making myself plain here...but...I don't think so somehow!
I see the fact that God never changes. He is gentle, He is Kind, He is Love....but, go against His Word in any way and His wrath is still there.
No matter what the generation...we are all equal to our Father in Heaven. So, I don't quite understand this modern swing to grab the young and cater for their taste and style. Oh! I know I've mucked all this posting up!!! But, I hope you get the general idea of what I'm trying to say.

Clear as anything Bevlina.

I have grown up in the church, since I was a kid. My Grandfather was a anglican minister and have since many changing in music through the years. I do like a bit of beat and a whole band, but I also like a piano and nothing else. When it comes down to it, its the meaning behind the songs, and the scriptures behind them. The words are the key. There is some wonderful music out there old and new.

 

[Droobie]

King David "danced with all his might" before the ark when it was brought back to Jerusalem. I've been to churches that put me to sleep with the music. I agree with you Bev that God never changes, but it's man that changes, and as 'stand in the gap' brothers and sisters of Christ, as those who are 'in' the world, but not of the world, we need to speak their language.

We are not going to win over 'Generation X' with gregorian chanting. You reach them with Deliriou5 and Planet Shakers etc. The fire & brimstone messages of before would be laughed upon by the youth of today.

 

[Bevlina]

er...yuk...Gregorian chanting! Fire & brimstone! That'd cause a bit of a falling away!!
Nobody would stay awake during the chanting....*snore*.
Yes, today's language must be spoken and the youth of today are safer in a church than on the streets!
I've been thinking... If I were married to a minister, I'd encourage him to reach out to all ages. And yes, definitely the youth due to the rise in crime & the drug scene.
So...being a drummer I say....'stack 'em on stage, tune 'em and bring out the musicians...lights on!! Worship time!!"

 

[Wolflily]

Well said, all! But I would still caution against too much worldliness in the church.
And I'm all for a good solid worship band because I'm IN ONE!
But I also love the piano and acoustic guitar with just vocals, or even some good ol' Gregorian chanting. (It's really beautiful, actually)
Hey Bev - you're a drummer!!! Way cool. I play percussion.
Sorry this is so disjointed. Kinda sleepy this afternoon.