I think I'm turning into a curmugeon.

[MacFall]

Ugh.

About once every six weeks my brother and I write and perform a puppet play for children's church. We're always asked to pick a song to go along with it. The problem is that the songs from which we're asked to choose - mostly Hillsong Kids type stuff - are so incredibly vapid and silly that there's no way to match them up to the plays, which actually have, y'know, a meaning. What's wrong with good old "Give me Oil in my Lamp" or something like that? What's the point of an inorganic sub-genre of Christian pop music for kids?

I used to be a big fan of contemporary worship, and I still have no problem with it in principle, but these days it's little more than pop schlock. No substance, no talent - just emotional Bieberesque syrup with the word "Jesus" substituted for "baby". And the kid's stuff is even worse than adult CCM. Sometimes I wish I went to one of those dusty old liturgical churches where they only sing hymns that are at least a century old. At least they have enough substance that a worship minister can match them to the sermon's message.

 

[Sketcher]

And a smaller congregation where in "childrens' church" they play those same contemporary songs on acoustic guitar, and play it badly . . .

 

[MacFall]

I'd make them sound better than they do on the DVD.

But I can't do that while making a puppet sing the stupid song.

 

[MacFall]

Oh man, this DVD is super creepy too, with the leaders doing bad lip-syncing and dancing around on stage like they're doing backup for Britney, and the kids all awkwardly raising their hands and swaying and stuff... I can't even watch it. I'm just going to listen to the songs while I do something else.

 

[m.a.r.X]

Oh man, this DVD is super creepy too, with the leaders doing bad lip-syncing and dancing around on stage like they're doing backup for Britney, and the kids all awkwardly raising their hands and swaying and stuff... I can't even watch it. I'm just going to listen to the songs while I do something else.

Write a better song then !

BTW, whats the theme of the play ?

 

[Toro]

I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so.

 

[MacFall]

Write a better song then !

I've written several better songs. A couple dozen, in fact.

BTW, whats the theme of the play ?

Not being depressed when the world rejects you because God loves you.

 

[Amber.ly]

Goodness I love kid songs. Especially VBS songs. Every year I get addicted to the music and they always stick with me.

I've never heard Hillsong kids music but my guess is that the tunes are catchy and the words are fine. Knowing you Mac, you just have certain standards for your own music and you would prefer the rest of the world follow those

Here is my favorite song from this year's VBS (which Mary and I now break out into randomly and start scaring people with the motions)
Babylon VBS 2012-Through It All - YouTube

 

[Boondock_Saint]

This may speak to a subject that is hard to pin down. Hymns will never go away. Bands do. House churches were big in the 70's. Those are mostly gone. All the wishy washy is going to find its end when people begin to read their bibles. And when they do, there will be a whole new generation that doesn't read their bibles who need to be entertained when they come to church.

I'm not saying I read my bible nearly as much as I should. But I am saying that there may be a correlation between not reading the bible and a lack of substance in a worship service and a need to hear something that sounds good (be that words or music).

 

[Blank123]

Hillsong... The lyrics do tend to be rather shallow and even doctrinally iffy. Once in awhile I'll hear a song that I just love. But that doesn't seem to be the norm.

but meh.

If it were me, I'd consider writing original music for it.

 

[redblue22]

don't worry, you're not a "curmugeon" if you don't know how to spell it. (smile)

 

[crishmael]

I remember a VBS I did a few years ago where I had to do a puppet show that ended with a Jesused up version of "Achy Breaky Heart" every night.

 

[leothelioness]

I used to be a big fan of contemporary worship, and I still have no problem with it in principle, but these days it's little more than pop schlock. No substance, no talent - just emotional Bieberesque syrup with the word "Jesus" substituted for "baby".

This is why I don't listen to CCM. It's a joke.

 

[leothelioness]

I remember a VBS I did a few years ago where I had to do a puppet show that ended with a Jesused up version of "Achy Breaky Heart" every night.

That's how you know you're in Texas.

 

[Saucy]

If you don't like what's out there and you think you can do it better, then do it! Create your own stuff and maybe it catches

 

[acropolis]

Ugh.

About once every six weeks my brother and I write and perform a puppet play for children's church. We're always asked to pick a song to go along with it. The problem is that the songs from which we're asked to choose - mostly Hillsong Kids type stuff - are so incredibly vapid and silly that there's no way to match them up to the plays, which actually have, y'know, a meaning. What's wrong with good old "Give me Oil in my Lamp" or something like that? What's the point of an inorganic sub-genre of Christian pop music for kids?

I used to be a big fan of contemporary worship, and I still have no problem with it in principle, but these days it's little more than pop schlock. No substance, no talent - just emotional Bieberesque syrup with the word "Jesus" substituted for "baby". And the kid's stuff is even worse than adult CCM. Sometimes I wish I went to one of those dusty old liturgical churches where they only sing hymns that are at least a century old. At least they have enough substance that a worship minister can match them to the sermon's message.

Whenever I'm obligated to go to church I always go with the liturgical church (my folks are bi-churchual) because it's a lot easier to stomach a serious, austere approach than a grinning and glassy-eyed performance of love songs. Plus PCUSA sermons are way better than anything a charismatic church has ever produced.

 

[MacFall]

If it were me, I'd consider writing original music for it.

I've certainly considered it. Unfortunately, I'm not the one who gets to decide.