This is the sixth in a series of articles regarding questions I have recently answered for churches searching for a new pastor.
This question (What is your view on style of church music?) may seem like a harmless one on the surface, but the issue of “Church Music” has been a bone of serious contention for many in contemporary American Christianity. In fact, I don’t think it would be too far-fetched to say that tens of thousands of churchgoers have come and gone purely because of music.
But is that biblical? It certainly seems to be shallow. Or is it?
I have been in some churches where there were no musical instruments played whatsoever (because no one knew how to play one), churches that had a large orchestra up front, churches with choirs and churches with no choirs. Some churches actually state in their Church Constitution that having an organist every Sunday morning is the responsibility of the Senior Pastor! (I’m still looking for that qualification in the pastoral epistles, by the way.)
Some churches sing from hymnals while other churches wouldn’t know what a hymnal was if you shoved one under their nose. Some churches prefer choruses while others wouldn’t think of singing a song unless the lyrics were written at least 200 years ago. Some churches prefer drums, tambourines, and a wide assortment of contemporary instruments, while other churches would consider anything more than a piano to be just shy of Rock-N-Roll.
Here is the question asked and below that is how I answered it. Let me know what you think? Some might brand me a heretic. What about you?
[stextbox id=”custom”]What is your view on style of church music?[/stextbox]
MY RESPONSE: I desire worship and church music that honors and pleases God—period! Many times “church splits” occur because people want to worship according to their own preferences, and that does not honor God. However, church dynamics are made up of diverse people with individual and specific preferences, likes and dislikes, and we should always be mindful of that. There is no reason for me, for example, to offend or upset another of God’s children just because I prefer one thing over another. Ultimately, if the church generally prefers one stylistic approach to its worship service, and nothing about it is sinful, offensive, or dishonoring to Him, then who am I to say otherwise?
I am not opposed to technology or a diversity of musical instruments (in fact I love it), but only so long as it keeps the focus and worship on God and not an individual person, band, choir, instrument, or any other idol that may usurp God’s glory through music. I personally feel comfortable in worship services involving a mixture of hymns, choruses, and any other anthem of praise, both traditional and contemporary.
The music played and sung in the church service must (no room for compromise here) have theologically sound lyrics and edifying music tempo and/or beat. I believe that all music sung should be edifying to the soul, glorifying to God, and encourage godly living.
Great post! Bob Kauflin said it well, “We act as if music has more power to divide, than the gospel does to unite us!”
Thanks Jeremy. Wish I had Kauflin’s quote before I posted, otherwise I’d have used it. Maybe I’ll just edit the post and include it. 🙂 Take care!
Obviously, style of music isn’t the point of worship. But if you’re not connecting with the style, and music is an important part of worship for you, then I can understand leaving a church to find a better fit. I’m currently struggling with this exact issue.
Like you said, we’re all so different and we’re not all going to like the same music. My mom sat in on a contemporary service once and about fell out of the pew when the drums started. Not that she didn’t like the music, it was just so loud for her. She can’t worship in that sort of situation. I once attended an all black church (I stuck out like a sore thumb) and while it was an interesting service and I enjoyed it, I couldn’t worship with the loud shouting and organ wailing. It’s just not genuine worship for me.
I don’t think we need to argue over what style of music is right for worship. We all have different preferences and we need to respect that. And we also don’t need to look down on someone who chooses to leave a church because of the music.
Again, you’re reading my mind.
It is a lot “easier” for me to “worship” when I enjoy (or agree) with the style of music being played or sung. In fact, I think it might possibly be wrong for someone to remain at a church if she/he totally disagreed with the music of that church.
Because the music time is a large portion of the church service, it wouldn’t be advisably for someone to remain at that church if they “disagreed” with a large portion of the service. It would be better to simply find another like-minded church where you didn’t have to violate your conscience in order to worship.
It may be shallow, even immature spiritually, but I don’t think God appreciates us trying to “fake” it or merely “endure” the music. I think he wants 100% of our attention and energy.
But these are just my opinions. 😉