Worship Styles

[Knight]

Here's a disputible topic.

I thought it would be interesting to see where those in the Reformed camp stand on this particluar view.

Do you prefer traditional hymns or contemporary music in worship services? Provide reasons for your view.

 

[Gamecock]

I think there is room for both, but I am against the exclusive use of contemporary music.

 

[jazzbird]

I love both. Variety is good. In a worship service, I don't care for the choruses that are too contemporary - you know, the real upbeat and fast stuff. But I do like to listen to that in the car or when I'm cleaning house.

Some worship songs are rather fluffy and lack depth, but some are very good at pointing to the awesomeness of God.

I think ultimately, it is the spirit of worship that is important and not the musical style. The intent of the heart is what God looks at.

 

[Knight]

I enjoy both as well.

I grew up with traditional hymns so I appreciate them for their depth of meaning.

Our church does mostly contemporary. I kind of wish we did more hymns. We used to periodically but it's been awhile. My only complaint with the P&W songs is their repetitiveness. When the same verse is repeated over and over in some songs.... ugh!

 

[Gabriel]

What Gamecock said.

We have a few folks of the older persuasion who stand tight lipped when we sing praise songs. I think this is silly. Praise songs are always directed toward God. Often, hymns are about us. When I pointed out to one of them that "Amazing Grace" is not in scripture, his answer was that, "It stood the test of time." My reply? "It wouldn't have if everyone had that attitude when it was a new song."

I went to my friends graduation from RTS last Friday. Much to my suprise after singing a beautiful and very traditional hymn, two of the older fellows strapped on guitars and started jammin! The soloist belted out the most rousing rendition of "Days of Elijah" I have ever heard. The loud "Amen!" that followed was definately a sign of the Spirit raising our spirits through song.

As a Presbyterian I believe that worship should be orderly. Contemporary music is not disorderly. Would I invite Relient K to play during a Sabbath worship service? Probably not.

 

[Knight]

Praise songs are always directed toward God. Often, hymns are about us.

It's funny but I once heard the opposite of this argued.

I went to my friends graduation from RTS last Friday. Much to my suprise after singing a beautiful and very traditional hymn, two of the older fellows strapped on guitars and started jammin! The soloist belted out the most rousing rendition of "Days of Elijah" I have ever heard. The loud "Amen!" that followed was definately a sign of the Spirit raising our spirits through song.

Too funny.....

As a Presbyterian I believe that worship should be orderly.

provided the appropriate committee is consulted.

Contemporary music is not disorderly. Would I invite Relient K to play during a Sabbath worship service? Probably not.

Er.... No. Neither would I.

 

[CCWoody]

I think there is room for both, but I am against the exclusive use of contemporary music.

I think a great amount of so called "Praise and Worship" music is nothing of the sort. Case in point. There is a popular song today lauding the fact that demons tremble at the praises of the saints. If this is such a great form of praise, then how come we read the following:

Luke 10:17-20 GB
(17) And the seuentie turned againe with ioy, saying, Lord, euen the deuils are subdued to vs through thy Name.
(18) And he said vnto them, I sawe Satan, like lightening, fall downe from heauen.
(19) Beholde, I giue vnto you power to treade on Serpents, and Scorpions, and ouer all the power of the enemie, and nothing shall hurt you.
(20) Neuerthelesse, in this reioyce not, that the spirits are subdued vnto you: but rather reioyce, because your names are written in heauen.

 

[Bradford]

Casting my vote for none of the above...

Exclusive Psalmody.

There is a place for Hymns and modern music, but it is not Stated (Sabbath) Worship.

 

[theseed]

I like both. My church as a service for each, so that we can reach people who like either one. We don't exclude one or the other.

BTW, Amazing Grace is a Calvinist song.

"Grace that taught my heart to fear and and grace my fears relieve'

"Grace has brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home"

 

[Bradford]

I like both. My church as a service for each, so that we can reach people who like either one. We don't exclude one or the other.

BTW, Amazing Grace is a Calvinist song.

"Grace that taught my heart to fear and and grace my fears relieve'

"Grace has brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home"

7th Verse- "But God, who called me here below, shall be forever mine."

 

[theseed]

Casting my vote for none of the above...

Exclusive Psalmody.

There is a place for Hymns and modern music, but it is not Stated (Sabbath) Worship.

What is psalmody?

 

[LynneClomina]

we use praise and worship music almost exclusively, though we do sometimes do hymns in that style. i've been to churches where the same songs we sing were sung, and they really just arnet any good. very flat, lifeless. our worship team is really good, very sensitive to the Holy Spirit. it's just modern hymns, anyways.

 

[Foundthelight]

I love the old hymns and a liturgical service. At the same time I like the contemporary music. My problem is that nobody wants to do the liturgical service with the contemporary music. It seems to be all or nothing in most churches.

 

[Bradford]

What is psalmody?

Only singing the 150 Psalms...

 

[Grace_Alone4gives]

I am on the worship team...I lead the vocals with my dh (he is also the worship leader and plays guitar) - We do both. And do both well...keeps the young and old happy! Personally - I love P&W...love it!!! However, today many P&W lack depth. Hymns are beautiful in that respect.

 

[Donny_B]

I prefer traditional hymns. My church still uses "the Hymnbook", 1955 edition. For me, they are the most respectful and reverent in church. When listening to Christian music on the radio, I prefer traditional, conservative Christian music and vocals, classical instrumentals, along with some country-gospel.

 

[Bulldog]

Both. I prefer hymns over CCM, but can tolerate the latter.

What I have a problem with is when people say that churches that use classical hymns are "spiritually dead".

 

[theseed]

Both. I prefer hymns over CCM, but can tolerate the latter.

What I have a problem with is when people say that churches that use classical hymns are "spiritually dead".

It's not the hymns that are dead, but those fogies in those church's

 

[LynneClomina]

eh, it's not even the old fogies, its the ppl who have been going to church out of routine their whole lives and never actually got saved!!!!

 

[theFijian]

Casting my vote for none of the above...

Exclusive Psalmody.

Ditto.