Classic Hymns vs. Contemporary Worship

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Permalink Reply by Ruben Pascua on October 18, 2008 at 12:41am

Thanks Mike for the comment and very good idea. I understand that what you want in worship is BALANCE as to what kind of music is to be used. You hit the bull's eye. Mix contemporary worship songs with traditional hymns. mmmm nice. and thanks also for the website. I'll do what you said ASAP. God bless you brother.

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Permalink Reply by Justin Kirkendall on October 19, 2008 at 4:20am

OMG I LOVE PHIL WICKHAM! THAT LIVE ALBUM WAS Truly amazing

sorry for the all caps
i got happy

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Permalink Reply by John Green / Recent Rainfall on October 18, 2008 at 5:52am

That is a tough situation. You have to mix in something for all the age groups, but probably some will be unhappy anyway.

Perhaps you could have a time specifically for upbeat youth-friendly worship songs starting 12-15 minutes before the main service time. Let the youth know so they (and anyone else who wants to) can show up for it. Then at the regular starting time, transition into the songs that won't send the older folks running out of the church, tearing the hearing aids our of their ears.
Also, we have had some success taking hymns and putting a slight contemporary feel by playing them on acoustic or electric guitar, and adding other instrumentation. Familiar enough for the older folks, and and yet not boring music for the teens. There are some really great hymns.

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Permalink Reply by Ruben Pascua on October 18, 2008 at 5:59am

Thanks John, that's a great help to me. Making the hymns more attractive to the youth mix them with contemporary flavor without losing the essence of the hymn.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Ang Nua on October 18, 2008 at 10:17am

contemporary songs can be as good as hymns if the worship leader would study them deeper and give good insights about them. For me, singing is just half of the equation... half of it depends on whether we can open up the minds/hearts of the congregation to relate to whatever song is playing... whether hymns or contemporary.

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Permalink Reply by Ruben Pascua on October 18, 2008 at 3:11pm

You are right,brother. Thank you.

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Permalink Reply by Jean-rémy Duboc on October 18, 2008 at 1:55pm

Hi there,
I think the MOST important thing is that everything you do, whatever the style and taste, is focused on God.
Whatever your congregation is, listen to them to see what works and what doesn't, but overall PRAY, PRAY and PRAY again before you practice and play. It's the key to a fraternal worship band, and a quality in the music that doesn't come only from human talents, but raises from God using these talents.
In the catholic church, we're lucky to have a liturgy that has a rythm in itself, wich calls to variety and creativity for those daring enough to try AND wise enough to try understanding what the liturgy means instead of changing it just for the sake of change.
We also do more spontaneous worship, were modern worship songs also have all there place.
But the most important guide is the Spirit, and the best method is to pray.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Ritzema on October 18, 2008 at 2:56pm

Is worship something that we should look to to make ourselves happy, or is worship something that we are called to do by God. Both forms of worship _are_ worship, and the churches that we work at/for need to understand that. It's incredibly hard to do that, seeing as there are some people who will not change for anything. But the first thing that they need to know is that both forms of worship _are_ worship.

Keep it a mix. The older ones love seeing the younger ones lead worship - it brings a youth and liveliness to the service. The younger ones [although not so vocal about it] love learning about the faith journeys of the older ones and love seeing the stability. Let the youth lead the service 1-2 times a month, let them plan it [under your supervision] and see what happens. But if you are going to change, introduce it slowly and keep whatever form of worship founded on the One who calls us. Ultimately, worship is not for us. Worship is -from- us, -for- God. And gently prod the ones who complain, or don't change, reminding them of who worship is for, what worship is for, and that hymns _aren't_ the only form of worship acceptable and pleasing to God. :)

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Permalink Reply by Ruben Pascua on October 18, 2008 at 3:10pm

Thanks a lot Lisa for the idea. Now I have accumulated a barn of very good ideas from all of you folks. Thanks again Lisa. You're taking up Theology and Worship and Music? Those are cool majors. I am praying for you, sister. God bless you.

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Permalink Reply by Justin Kirkendall on October 19, 2008 at 4:22am

I agree with this.
Sometimes we can get our focus off of the TRUE meaning of what worship is really all about.

Our response to God for who he is and what he has done for us!

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Permalink Reply by Josh on October 18, 2008 at 4:06pm

Its not that way in my church youth and older alike

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Permalink Reply by gary mitchell on October 18, 2008 at 5:30pm

my church has to service one at 9 and one at 10;30 the one at 9 we play hymns, the first service we pick out so many hymns and print them out so they can either use that are the overhead

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