Featured How did modern worship music turn out to be so bad?

I like that song. Not that version, but I like the song.

 

But you are good, good, oh.

HankD

 

And the song you chose is 4:59 that's looong.

HankD

 

I think the problem is two fold. One CCM is big business and if a group can get a song played in a lot of churches they make a lot of money off of it. To be able to get the widest possible audience they have to avoid any troubling doctrines that may upset this camp or that camp. That is why I think the lyrics of songs by Hillsong or Bethel are as generic as they can get and allow the individual to interpret it how they want. I think the second problem is that churches don't pracitce decernment in the area of music like they should. Now just to be clear I'm not talking about style, you can have a rock song, or even a rap song (Shai Linne comes to mind) that have depth and good teaching to them. Churches seem to use what is popular as a guage instead of what is Biblical when it comes to song selection which I think is a huge mistake, given how music has an amazing way of sticking with you. I can't tell you the messages I heard at summer camp in high school, but I can still sing the songs. I'm of the opinion that songs should be held the same doctrinal standard as the sermon. Now there are also labels I think Biblical Churches should avoid because those at the head of those labels are deep within WOF and NAR cult territory. I will not sing any song by Hillsong, Bethel, or Vineyard for that reason.

 

Try: "Amazing Grace" or "How Great Thou Art" without instruments.

Drum beat is fleshly. God does not accept worship in the flesh.

We have too many money changers in the temple. "The love of money is the root of all evil."

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

True a great deal of money "exchanges hands" in the all encompassing field of Christian enterprise

Nothing can be done in this world without money (even/especially in the endeavor of evangelization).

Yes we are in the world but not of the world.

Nevertheless.
Pastors/Deacons: How do we quantify/appropriate/designate the line items and dollar amounts in our church "chart of accounts"? Where are lines drawn, what are the dollar amounts (spiritual vs. less than spiritual)?

Etc...

Obviously a local church matter after the word of God and prayer of course.

HankD

 

Did you read blessedwife post? She makes a good point.

The songs have to be watery "To be able to get the widest possible audience they have to avoid any troubling doctrines that may upset this camp or that camp".

HankD

 

I’m not commenting on this particular song – I’d agree that there are some real stinkers out there.

I listen to background music in my office every day and have commented that some of today's popular non-religious songs have only a few words that are repeated over and over again.​

Our society emphases knowledge and rationality – you’re criticism relates to how today’s religious music fails to fill your need.

...but your criticism only focuses on one aspect of music – music has many different purposes and has many different roles.​

• Music sets devotional mood and focuses spiritual life
• Music teaches or tells a story, aids in memorization like a mnemonic device
• Music heals the soul
• Music for entertainment/just for fun, joyous worship
• Music to set a mood, ambiance or mood music, elevator music, fugues
• Music to ease labor, work songs of agrarian cultures
• Music for commercial/promotional purposes, jingles
• Music for dance/movement
• Military music
• Practice music - music that develops musical skills

​

Try to fit some of the "bad" music you listen to into one of these purposes.

Rob

 

I think you could easily fit the first five into purposes of music in church culture

• Music sets devotional mood and focuses spiritual life (opening songs tend to be more lively)
• Music teaches or tells a story, aids in memorization like a mnemonic device (Doctrinal teaching)
• Music heals the soul (meditational type songs, songs during funerals)
• Music for entertainment/just for fun, joyous worship (songs that make you want to stand up, shout, clap, etc.)
• Music to set a mood, ambiance or mood music, elevator music, fugues (music played during prayer or communion times)

Rob

 

If we follow the scripture concerning music, many congregations would disband. There is no real scriptural support for instruments of any kind. Now we have paid piano players who get applauded after every performance. God is not looking for accolades. He is looking for obedience with worship in Spirit and in Truth. We fall short in both categories.

Real Church is not entertainment of the flesh folks. Warm and fuzzy feelings do not come from God. Time to repent in sackcloth and ashes. "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?"

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James