He said he was looking for something more "fundamental". I asked him what he meant by that and got out of him that he really meant 'traditional'. Then it came out that what his real problem with church was is the music.
His take is that (so called) Contemporary music is not honoring to God. It is a step toward being 'worldy'. He believes that people in churches are deceived by Satan himself to use the 'worlds music' in church as a means to dishonor God. Music in contemporary settings is too "emotional" and not worshipful or respectful.
I explained to him my take as follows:
- It's not the world's music. It is God's. All of it.
- Yes, music has an emotional component. God gave us emotions, sometimes to be used to lead us to worship Him. Music has an intrinsic way of doing that. Maybe that's one reason God created it....hmmm.
- I trust the leading of the Holy Spirit in the way we conduct services. So far He hasn't chastised me on our music style.
- It is not fair to lump all 'contemporary' models into an entertainment theology...especially when you have never been to one.
- Paul and Jesus both instruct us to be a part of the culture. Not giving in to sin, but not segregating ourselves either. Music style is a cultural thing. It's my belief that we are in a city of culture and need to engage and be a part of that culture in order to reach it...not fight against it.
There was much more to it but that's the nutshell.
I was probably a little harsh on him by saying this, but I felt we are good enough friends that he could take it and he did...I told him that the difference between he and I was that he seemed to be more concerned about himself rather than lost people.
One caveat...we all need to be careful not to operate in the opposite direction. Just because a church is traditional does not mean it is ineffective. It means it is engaging a different part of the culture and is a necessary thing. The problem for me in this conversation was that I was being told that what we were doing was dishonoring to God.
Let me also say that I don't think that the music that we do in church is always the best way to worship. It is one way, not THE way. Sometimes it is too happy-clappy. Sometimes it is too theologically shallow. But sometimes it hits the mark and people are drawn into a conversation with God through it and their lives are changed. And through that we are part of redeeming the culture back to Jesus.
What are your thoughts on music in church?
4 comments:
I agree with you, Brett and it sounds like you handled the conversation much better than most folks. As far as music in church or "church music," my belief is that music of any kind is in the "ear of the beholder." For me, music is a vehicle that actually takes me places. If a type of music or a song takes me to a pleasant place, I like it, and vice-versa. Most traditional hymns take me to a depressing place...WAY too somber to get me into worship. So, basically, whatever fogs up your glasses is the way to go for worship music, in my humble opinion. As always, what really, really counts is what's in that muscle pounding blood to your extremities.
Oh, and by the way...
Brett, YOU ROCK!!!!
traditional/comtemporary, orthodox/unorthodox, hymnals, pews/chairs... are things that tend to be big stumbling blocks to existing believers and burnt believers... not actually something a non-christian is seriously concerned about... from the perspective of a converted atheist.
Personal opinion, music in a church should fit the nitch or culture of the people the church feels called to minister to... and thus it has to vary for each individual church. Just as preaching style, outreaches, and teaching should. I don't feel that any style of music is more or less pleasing to God. Worship is about focusing hearts, thoughts, minds, and lives on God. Music is one avenue of worship, but not the only avenue, and although helpful, a mature believer should be able to worship God irregardless of musical stylings. I believe that any words or thoughts of Him and to Him in worship are a beautiful, pleasing sound.
This is a 'debate' that has probably been going on for centuries in one form or another (music, dress, programming). So I don't think it will be solved by any of us any time soon.
I attend a church that supplies venues for different styles of music, from the very 'traditional' (not even sure what that means - are they singing the Psalms upon a harp?) to very contemporary (darkened room, lights, fog, and loud speakers).
While I have my preference, I try to remind myself to remember why I am there. Am I looking to be pleased or am I looking to please God?
I wonder how each church would answer this question:
Is the music IN response to what God has done in the congregation's lives... OR ...is it trying to produce A response?
World of difference in my opinion.
I liked the points you brought out about music.
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