Problem with Modern Worship

[feo]

Does anyone have examples of modern stuff that isn't worshipful or is declining ect... I am just curious because if you make a statement, you would usually give examples and back it with some proof. I would just like to see a couple examples.

I have many many examples of where it is getting better and could list many artists that have the right heart in it all.

Examples are easy!
ie. "I can only imagine" by Mercy Me.

Because our job here on earth is not to ponder what heaven will be like... but instead, to make this as close to heaven as humanly possible.

 

[Jesus Saves the Day]

The song is "You Are So Good To Me" and the band is Waterdeep (Third Day covered it on their Offerings II album) and I agree to an extent - it's not a congregational song, and the chorus is too similar to something you'd find in a modern secular pop song.

I really didn't find that in this song. I don't think that it sounds secular at all. *shrug*

 

[Flames]

Examples are easy!
ie. "I can only imagine" by Mercy Me.

Because our job here on earth is not to ponder what heaven will be like... but instead, to make this as close to heaven as humanly possible.

Well there is your first problem, I can only imagine is not a worship song, it is an inspirational song. There is a big difference. If a church is playing that song in a worship set then I don't think that is right. If it is an offering special to inspire than I would say it is fine. Another example please? A worship song example please?

 

[Space Ghost]

if modern worship has room for improvement, to me it needs to come from the pews.... too many people with the idea of "what can you do to entertain me" way of thinking..... I attend mass for the Eucharist.... and to commune with the spirit.... having a choir is great, but not needed for me.... having lectors, ministers of Eucharist, ushers, cantors,...etc..., if it were me, the priest and God.... i'm a happy camper, and i would be happy to serve in the capacity that the priest request.... but, i don't need all the touchy feeley stuff.... just my two cents.....

 

[alfcantor]

Anyone finding the "hot new" worship songs a bit uhm... how do I say this... not very good? Not very biblical and self centered rather than God-centered?

Just these emotional songs that are often confusing to me as to what the composer is writing about.

not me. Of course, my church does a lot of original stuff. But I think that the ones I have been hearing lately are more professional sounding and more emotional and honest. I dont a lot of these songwriters are holding back anything. Im into it.

 

[feo]

Well there is your first problem, I can only imagine is not a worship song, it is an inspirational song. There is a big difference. If a church is playing that song in a worship set then I don't think that is right. If it is an offering special to inspire than I would say it is fine. Another example please? A worship song example please?

I've heard that song be played in two different Churchs People worshipping God by singing that song; saying how we cannot wait. How is this not worship?

 

[KristianJ]

I really didn't find that in this song. I don't think that it sounds secular at all. *shrug*

I'm commenting on the imagery used to describe God in the song...there are some good lyrics in it, but in my situation as a music leader at church, I would feel reluctant to use the song because I'm more comfortable with songs that focus on the character of God in a simple and humble manner.

 

[feo]

Why do *all* worship songs *have* to be happy?

 

[Lovesherald]

A new song I know of is Steven Curtis Chapman's "Much of You". I think that is completely Biblical and not self-centered. So...not all of the modern songs fall into that category.

 

[Flames]

I've heard that song be played in two different Churchs People worshipping God by singing that song; saying how we cannot wait. How is this not worship?

Worship is about him and not about us. The song is entertaining and inspirational, but IMO, it is not a worship song.

 

[nahMish]

i used to think that hillsongs was all airy fairy-but the more i get to know the bible, the more i realise that a lot of it is based in scripture-particually psalms...

the repitition in the songs is needed when God is particually near to you when you worship-thats why it goes on for so long at times..some of those repititious songs i dont want to finish, other times i cant wait to "get it over with." you dont always feel like worshipping God that way though....

i prefer hymns in all- they focus on God and his glory, not us and how we feel...and thats how it should be !!!!

 

[KristianJ]

Why do *all* worship songs *have* to be happy?

Good point - but even in songs that are aimed to lead people into an attitude of repentance, I sing them in the knowledge and joy that my forgiveness has been secured by the blood of Christ. It doesn't mean that the musical idea should be "happy" - the lyrics and the music need to complement each other so that those singing can better take in the message of the song. A song like "Heart of Worship" would not work with a fast tempo - Matt Redman uses the musical idea appropriately to allow us to indeed return to the heart of our worship.

 

[Anthony_85]

I agree I really dislike with the lack of content in Assemblies Of God churches. They produce some awesome songs, but at the same time some songs that are theologically incorrect and talk more about God than to God. There's too much music about 'me' rather than the church as a whole giving praise to Jesus as a community devoted to him.

 

[tyler4588]

I don't post much, but I have some thoughts as a worship leader and worshipper.

First of all, I don't believe that any form of worship or praise, whether it is contemporary Christian music, old hymns, prayer time, or service should ever be done because it "does something for me". Worship is about God, and no matter what type of music or action it is, it is there to glorify God, not give us any type of emotional high or self-satisfaction. Worship is about showing our love for God, not about feeling our love for God.

Second of all, I think there needs to be a much more distinct differentiation between Christian music and worship music. Some people use music as a medium of worship, much the same as prayer or service. Other people use music as a medium of expression, expressing their feelings about Christianity and God. Neither is wrong, though they should not be mistaken for each other. Take Amazing Grace as an example. It was written to speak of the great grace which God has shown us, and what the grace will one day lead to. Dare You To Move by Switchfoot would be an example of a Christian song, but not of a worship song. It addresses Christian themes and expresses one's opinions/feelings about them. Before one can criticize the state of Contemporary worship, one must realize the difference between these two.

By the way, I lead a contemporary worship type deal in which we try to play a lot of old hymns. I think that the classic hymns are much more melodic and musical, and sometimes have much "deeper" lyrics, not to say that there isn't modern music that does the same.

 

[holyrokker]

Why do *all* worship songs *have* to be happy?

Why do all worship songs have to be boring?

As Larry Norman once said "Give me a song that moves my feet."

http://www.disciplerocks.com

 

[Praizeraize]

No

 

[Praizeraize]

Why dont you try united there songs arent boaring.
And mabey you feel that songs from writers today are self centered, but if you want to get into real worship it has to be between you and Jesus, not anybody else. I think the problem is that people arent looking for that, they dont really have a real realtionship with him, because if they did , they would want more writers and musicians to be like the good ones today. People who dont have a relationship with him are looking for good music and catchy lyrics not moving worship between them and there savior>

 

[Richard]

I agree with what you say, alot of times ppl get caught up with the "emotional" aspect instead of the real meaning behind it. Love God, Love People......I have a good friend that does that sometimes, and its obvious because she does it every week upon end..All I can do is pray for her.

 

[psalms 91]

any song that is done to praise and worship god is worship.. when we forget about ourselves and enter in to the inner court then we are worshipping.

 

[psalms 91]

i find contemporary christian to be very much about praise and worship of god. come now is the time to worship, shout to the lord all the earth let us sing , i could sing of his love forever. these all honor god.