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As Long as Music is About Jesus/ SBC remarks

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by dianetavegia, Jan 31, 2003.

  1. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    As Long as Music is About Jesus, Baptist Leader Gets Excited

    By Allie Martin
    January 31, 2003

    (AgapePress) - The head of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has weighed in on one of the most controversial topics in churches today: music.

    Many churches and denominations are debating the issue of Christian music. Some feel there should be more of an emphasis on traditional hymns, while others believe contemporary Christian music reaches more people in today's society.

    SBC president Dr. Jack Graham says Christians too often get sidetracked on such arguments.

    "I hear about all these 'worship wars' going on in churches," Graham says. "Now isn't that sick? Fighting over worship?

    "I know we get all uptight about the kinds and styles of music that we sing, and I've heard of churches that are being split and splintered over music and music styles -- and I think, 'The devil must really enjoy that.' I guess that's why they said when the devil fell, he fell into the choir loft."

    The Baptist leader says Christians need to quit arguing about issues that do not matter and put their focus on Jesus. "There's so much wasted effort on this subject," he says. "I don't care if you're singing Southern gospel, classic hymns, or contemporary songs in praise and worship -- if it's about Jesus, I get excited about it."

    Graham made his comments earlier this week at the annual Mississippi Evangelism Conference in Tupelo. He also took time to praise the leadership of President Bush, saying the chief executive is a man of Christian character and convictions.

    But Graham also notes the president is influenced by many special-interest groups vying for his attention. He believes Bush is being pulled in many directions by many different people.

    "There are many voices that vie for our attention -- and when you're the president of the United States, the impact of those voices is very strong," Graham says. "That's why we need to pray for our president, that he will hear, first of all, from God. And then we pray that the advisors around him and the counsel that he gets is godly counsel, because he's making decisions every day that most of us could never fathom."

    Graham says since the terrorist attacks of September 2001, President Bush has proven he is the right man for the job.

    © 2003 AgapePress all rights reserved.
     
  2. Sherrie

    Sherrie New Member

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    Good article! I love it all. I have to agree with him. Iget excited about it too.


    Sherrie [​IMG]
     
  3. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    :rolleyes: Here we go again.

    The only ones who say "It doesn't matter" are the ones who insist on bringing rock music into Christian worship.

    But all they prove is that it does matter. If it really didn't matter, they could take it or leave it. But they sure can't leave it.

    Music does matter. Sensual music has no place in the life or worship of a Christian.
     
  4. Alcott

    Alcott Well-Known Member
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    And there is no music which is not "sensual." The words would be spoken in manner completely non-rhythmic for there to be nothing "sensual." And even that's no guarantee it is not so.
     
  5. Pete

    Pete New Member

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    There goes half of the new song books :D

    Pete
     
  6. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    I got saved in a Salvation Army Church, who have a brass band rather than an organ. The brass band may seem old fashioned now, yet it was contemporary for the time in which it was first introduced.

    I think all people should within reason accept other styles of music. Remember it is only part of what we do in church.
     
  7. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Amen, Aaron. It does matter and only the proverbial ostrich would try to deny it.
     
  8. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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  9. stubbornkelly

    stubbornkelly New Member

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    Hate to be a thorn in this theory, but I go to a church that uses no music, except what a person may stand up and sing a cappella. And I say "it doesn't matter" when it comes to genre.
     
  10. redwhitenblue

    redwhitenblue New Member

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    Sorry but the only ones it matters to are those who's taste in music are strict...nothing proven yet.

    karen
     
  11. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    I disagree. I prefer traditional music. But, then I'm not the one trying to introduce something new into the worship service.

    If other churches want the new style of music, that is up to them. Why don't they just enjoy it and stop trying to force it on us like we are 'old fashioned and outdated' by not agreeing with them? :confused:

    "..if it's about Jesus, I get excited"

    I have heard songs with the name Jesus in them. He was being cursed. Now, I get excited about that , but not in a happy way! :mad:


    Sue
     
  12. AdoptedDaughter

    AdoptedDaughter New Member

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    I disagree. I prefer traditional music. But, then I'm not the one trying to introduce something new into the worship service.

    If other churches want the new style of music, that is up to them. Why don't they just enjoy it and stop trying to force it on us like we are 'old fashioned and outdated' by not agreeing with them? :confused:

    Sue
    </font>[/QUOTE]Ever think that not all churches do that? Not everyone does that? It goes both ways...those that prefer contemporary do try to show that's its not bad, but those who prefer the hymns too often try to make it appear that those that enjoy contemprorary are in sin and will sin each time that they listen to that type of music.
     
  13. Mike McK

    Mike McK New Member

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    Probably for the same reasons you don't just enjoy your music but try to portray those who like diversity in musical styles as somehow doing something wrong.

    Really? What songs?

    (Not that you'll answer but I just thought I'd ask, anyway.)
     
  14. JN1633

    JN1633 New Member

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    Have seen many many churches split right down the middle over music...How the devil must laugh at our petty squabbles over what God designed just to praise him.....I've heard so many arguments over music from the old "1-3 2-4 beat argument to hymns only to contemporary only to Christian rock....bottom line, no matter what label you put on the brand or style of music, my opinion is that if the true Gospel Message can be clearly heard over whatever style music is played behind it, then guess what, it praises Him! Just my opinion ;)
     
  15. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    The ones it doesn't matter too are the ones who want to worship Jesus, and not a music style.


    And I agree.
     
  16. Molly

    Molly New Member

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    If it really doesn't matter,then why do so many insist on bringing in newer music or a different style...answer me...why? Churches divide over it because there are many who demand their way,which is a change from what it was. They are the ones being demanding....


    I think instead of it coming from a group of lay people;christian men(pastors,music pastors,elders,etc) should choose music that is doctrinally correct and make sure the style is reverent and holy that shows respect to a Holy God...and everyone else needs to stay out of it. It is when a group of people think it should change or become what *they* want,that I have seen problems. That kind of attitude does not put the other person first,but pushes their own wants and desires....no room for that in a church. :rolleyes:
     
  17. redwhitenblue

    redwhitenblue New Member

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    See, I have a problem with staying out of a choice that will effect my spiritual growth in a church setting. It is just as much my right and choice to be in a church where I will actually grow and even be able to use my talents as it is for traditional folks. I have no problems with mixed services for both traditional and new music but from past experience of growing up in church after church who refused to allow new music into the service, my growth went downhill because there was nothing to speak to me as an individual.

    karen
     
  18. Mike McK

    Mike McK New Member

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    So then it's wrong to want to worship God in a culturally relevant way and it's rightto force people to worship in a way that's foreign to them?

    Don't get me wrong, I actually prefer the hymns but we had a funeral this weekend where we sang some of the old hymns.

    As I looked around the sanctuary, I could see that a lot of people there were either just mouthing the words or going through the motions.

    The hymns just didn't touch them the way they do me, so why should I force them to do it my way?

    Rather than being either one way or the other, the best solution is to take all members into consideration and have a mix of the two.

    Or, even better yet, do what my church does (assuming your church is big enough to supporttwo AM services) and hav a traditional service and a contemporary service.

    In my last church, we did a mix of the two: hymns and Calvary Chapel type worship choruses.

    It worked out great. The people who preferred hymns allowed the chorus people to have the liberty to worship that way and the chorus people understood that some people preferred hymns.

    Everybody was happy and God's praises flowed.

    Or, you can just gripe and complain.
     
  19. Mike McK

    Mike McK New Member

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    And you shouldn't have to.

    We don't have a music minister, so we kind of d it by commitee.

    People are always free (ahead of time) to make a request. Doesn't mean they'll get it, but we try.

    Every fifth Sunday, we have a Fifth Sunday sing, which is mostly Sothern Gospel and bluegrass but people who sing contemporary musi are welcome.

    Not only is it a great worship service, it's a lot of fun.
     
  20. JonathanDT

    JonathanDT New Member

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    It matters in that the music must stay relevent to the culture. Frankly, many of the hymns are archaic, hard to sing, hard to identify with, and irrelevent to today's generation.

    Think of it this way, would you go into a Spanish church in the Dominican Republic and force them to sing our hymns? Even if the words were translated, it just wouldn't have the impact on them that their own music has. The DR has their own cultural music style, and they use that style in their worship of God. By forcing them to sing the hymns, you would be forcing them to sing something that they can't relate to, something foreign to them. In the same way, by forcing many from today's generation to sing the hymns, you're forcing them to sing something they can't relate to, something foreign to them.

    I'm not advocating abolishing the hymns, as to many they are still culturally relevent. That would be doing the same thing to the traditionalists that they have done to us, two wrongs don't make a right. I just think that we should have a mix to make sure that our music isn't exclusive to one group or another.
     
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