Traditional vs. Contemporary Style Worship

[AllenEHoessli]

I don't know about any other conference, but I do know that in our Ohio conference, there seems to be two distinct styles of worship service. There are those who believe in the traditional sense of the words "worship service" and there are those who believe that a worship service is more contemporary with a band, rock music, or some worldly approach toward leading people in the worship.

Am I the only person who believes that this latter form of worship is not appropriate for church worship? The house of God should be greeted and conducted with reverence. We are in the house of God worshiping a holy God...not entertaining the worshipers. The service is all about God...not us.

[Overaged]

I don't know about any other conference, but I do know that in our Ohio conference, there seems to be two distinct styles of worship service. There are those who believe in the traditional sense of the words "worship service" and there are those who believe that a worship service is more contemporary with a band, rock music, or some worldly approach toward leading people in the worship.

Am I the only person who believes that this latter form of worship is not appropriate for church worship? The house of God should be greeted and conducted with reverence. We are in the house of God worshiping a holy God...not entertaining the worshipers. The service is all about God...not us.

I agree; some worship has become way out there in left field, and does not belong in a Christian church

[olger]

I agree Allen. The contemporary worship strikes me as a false revival type thing. You got one down the road from you...

`G

[lazarus]

? The house of God should be greeted and conducted with reverence. We are in the house of God worshiping a holy God...not entertaining the worshipers. The service is all about God...not us.

The traditional v contemporary worship discussion is often a discussion about preference rather than a real discussion about what God receives as true worship. Sometimes people make the worship style they are are conformable with the worship style that God is comfortable with.

[fccool]

Quote:

Am I the only person who believes that this latter form of worship is not appropriate for church worship? The house of God should be greeted and conducted with reverence. We are in the house of God worshiping a holy God...not entertaining the worshipers. The service is all about God...not us.

House of God is an OT term, and is only referred to OT temple in Jerusalem.

Ezra 5:15 Take these articles and go and deposit them in the temple in Jerusalem. And rebuild the house of God on its site.

In NT Biblical terms, the house of God is the collective of the believers, irregardless of their gathering place.

Quote:

1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?

Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches would build enormous Cathedrals and churches, that would be both aw-inspiring, and fear inducing. The Orthodox churches would not have pews to this day. The Catholic churches would build up pews which faced the elevated podium to convey the superiority of clergy over laity. The traditional liturgy was devised to maintain the idea of sacredness, and pretty much was a departure from the order of first churches, which were more community driven.

Martin Luther devised the reformation, but he only thought to reform the Catholic church, he never thought to do away with traditions established by Catholic church, which we indeed have to this day.

You will not find the idea that each and every church is a house of God, anywhere in the Bible. The early churches were places of gathering of believers, and could get quite chaotic, since everyone was encouraged to speak, share, and sing.

I do think that order is beneficial, but what you resist is change, and not necessarily the "irreverence". Organ once considered to be irreverent. The hymns that you sing, were written to the tune of secular music.

Older people don't resist change in terms of technology. They don't mind a projector, and a computer, and powerpoint presentation with flashy backgrounds. Essentially, it's all about the style of music.

Ironically, most of the worship is not about repetitive tunes that we sing every Saturday. I doubt God is pleased with mind-numbing repetition of flattery that's considered to be praise music. But, I'm speaking from perspective of preference. In that sense, I do agree with you, because hymns are much deeper in both message and the stories behind them. The newer music lacks much of that depth.

On the other hand, there's description of Angels singing "Holy holy holy" day and night. I would be annoyed, but I guess they can't help themselves. So, it is an issue of preference.

But, that becomes the purpose of the church question. If your purpose is to remain the same, both in membership and tradition (it's called traditional for a reason), then you can keep playing hymns, and having the same liturgy day in and day out. Modern people are visual. Modern people are up-beat. Modern people will be bored to tears in traditional church, and that's why modern people avoid it like wildfire. Not because they don't like the principles in theology, but because these are conveyed in rather boring and repetitive fashion.

[Dr. Shane]

The traditional v contemporary worship discussion is often a discussion about preference rather than a real discussion about what God receives as true worship.

[Dr. Shane]

An uncomfortable form of worship will make people feel like they don't belong. Our church has slowly transitioned to a contemporary worship service as our younger members have moved into the leadership roles. It isn't just about music. Many of the young people and even Generation Xers are ministered to by fellowship as much, if not more than, sermons. The potluck has become as important to ministering as the divine service is.

The acid test is what do they teach. Are they teaching the Three Angels Message? Or are they teaching some form of cheap grace? If their gospel is wrong, there is reason for concern. If you just don't like the music, don't get too concerned. The piano and the organ were once considered worldly music and not appropriate for a church service. Seems every generation has problems with the one that comes after it. Try to rise above that and break the cycle.

[ClubV12]

Recently I've been attending other Adventist churches in my area, there are a large number of them. Last Sabbath special music was a surprise, it was the first time I've seen that. Bass guitar, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, piano and a singer. I was a little surprised, it seemed to be ok, but still, I felt a bit uncomfortable. What I really didn't like was the music was so loud it drowned out the singer I couldn't understand a single word of the song. How can you get a blessing if you can't hear the message? That lead guitar was hot....

[fccool]

Yes... that tends to be the problem with a lot of these styles. And it's mostly musician politics . They want to hear themselves play, and the monitors alone are loud. That's the reason I don't really like rock music bands. I went to a Christian university, and they would bring in the contemporary Christian bands. After a couple of them, I've had enough. They pack those spaces with speakers, like it's a stadium. I could listen outside and still be too loud .

Tone it down, buddy

Either way, I think a lot of emphasis is placed on music, because it's a form of entertainment for many. People sort of used to go for a "concert, motivational speech, and a meal". There should be more to it that that. Should look back at the roots, and have more community driven experience than liturgy. But, again, that's a preference.

[Tom Wetmore]

The volume is about the same as in my home church (very traditional high church) when they have a special occasion with full orchestra, pipe organ and full choir. Talk about loud!

[fccool]

There's different dynamics when it comes to loudness of orchestra and loudness of let's say distorted electric guitar and unshielded drums.

I guess you can call it partiality, but it's coming from a guy who would falling asleep listening to Prodigy and NIN back in the days. I think that at certain point of time, people grow up and want some soothing harmony :)

[Tom Wetmore]

Not so long ago I fell asleep during the opening set by Opeth at a Dream Theater concert... Some of us just never grow up! :-)

I have very eclectic tastes in music and appreciate anything from Vivaldi to Virgin Black.

In the religious realm, I likewise get chills worshipping with Handel or Switchfoot. Some of the most powerful and deeply spiritual songs I know are in the broad contemporary genre.

[AllenEHoessli]

Of course, most New Testament Christians understand that the "Church" is the assembling of ourselves together for corporate worship, bible study, fellowship, and Sabbath keeping. Each of us are members of the church.

But, my concern isn't the technicalities of what or what not constitutes the New Testament church. My concern is church worship and reverence during a worship service.

Worship is about God and I don't believe that our worship in a worldly capacity through contemporary methods is considered reverence for God. I remember reading another post about how a church the author visited during special music was a rock band with bass guitar, drums, etc. The music overwhelmed the singer so that the words were not understood. That is not any better than allegedly speaking in another tongue that the hearers or the prayers cannot understand.

Worship should be done decently and in order. Not loud and irreverently.

[aldona]

Originally Posted By: AllenEHoessli

? The house of God should be greeted and conducted with reverence. We are in the house of God worshiping a holy God...not entertaining the worshipers. The service is all about God...not us.

The traditional v contemporary worship discussion is often a discussion about preference rather than a real discussion about what God receives as true worship. Sometimes people make the worship style they are are conformable with the worship style that God is comfortable with.

I'm sure you remember the Two Great Laws of Adventist Music:

1. Every Adventist is a music critic.

2. If I don't like it, God doesn't like it.

AJ

[fccool]

Quote:

Worship is about God and I don't believe that our worship in a worldly capacity through contemporary methods is considered reverence for God.

Why? Music progression is about technology used to produce it. If power point, DVDs, and projector is reverent... why wouldn't electric or bass guitar be irreverent? Back in the days of Israel, these people would play Cymbals and trumpets. You should really hear how some of that music sounds like

[phkrause]

The volume is about the same as in my home church (very traditional high church) when they have a special occasion with full orchestra, pipe organ and full choir. Talk about loud!

I know what you mean. The organ at the AUC college church was so loud that you couldn't hear yourself singing.

[Dr. Shane]

The music overwhelmed the singer so that the words were not understood. That is not any better than allegedly speaking in another tongue that the hearers or the prayers cannot understand.

I think this could be a valid point. I believe one could easily make a Scriptural case that the words of a song should be heard and understood in a worship service. That doesn't require a different style of music, it just requires adjusting the volume of the various instruments and microphone.

[Aliensanctuary]

One might wonder how long it took for Sabbath to change from a day of rest into a day for corporate "worship".

One might also wonder how Sabbath will be observed in the Kingdom of God.

[phkrause]

One might wonder how long it took for Sabbath to change from a day of rest into a day for corporate "worship".

One might also wonder how Sabbath will be observed in the Kingdom of God.

Interesting thoughts

[Dr. Shane]

The corporate worship thing seemed to be going on in the New Testament.

[SivartM]

One might wonder how long it took for Sabbath to change from a day of rest into a day for corporate "worship".

[Aliensanctuary]

Because there was only one copy of the Law, written on stone, Moses gathered the people together on occasion to read it to them.

I'm sure it wasn't long before some genius made copies of it on papyrus, then made some handouts of songs to be sung in praise of the LORD. Next came the pews, the suits and ties, bulletins, and special music. Finally came the preachers and pulpits to preach it to the people.

That's how the personal Day of Rest morphed into religious corporations. Somebody just had to organize it all, create a little entertainment, and make a little easy money from the people, too.

I highly doubt that there will be anything like our concept of church in the Kingdom of God.

The "Kingdom of God is at hand" I take to mean that it was very close at times, even overhead. That's where Moses and Elijah came from, the craft hovering over the Mt. of Transfiguration. It was also the cause of certain squalls on the Sea of Galilee and the thick darkness at the time of Christ's death.

[Bravus]

"If I don't like it, God doesn't like it"

[Dr. Shane]

church has the opposite of the intended communal effect on me; I can't focus on anything but the hundreds of people around me and accurately lip-syncing the songs.

For many people the potluck/fellowship meal ministers to them more than the church service. I don't think that is all too unusual.

[Parade Orange]

what i believe is right GOD believes is right

what music i like GOD likes

what i say the bible says GOD says