March 2001
The last several years have seen a
proliferation and popularity of Praise and Worship music that have been unprecedented. As
churches nationwide have struggled to infuse their fellowships with newer, younger
members, the clash between the "founders", who for the most part are satisfied
and content with the ways things are, and the younger, newer members, who essentially have
been raised on change and are ready and insistent upon just that, is intensifying.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with either group’s desire, unless it is
vehemently defended with stubborn ignorance. Unfortunately, this is the very core of many
a church split.
I have had a unique opportunity to see and
experience both sides. At the age of 14, I took my first position in music ministry as a
church organist. I only played hymns with the rare exception of a halfhearted attempt at a
"contemporary chorus." This was in the early 70’s. I must admit, many of
the hymns were a pleasure to play and to sing, and many had a depth lyrically that is hard
to find today, but many were boring, endless, and seemed to just lay there. Much of the
same is true for contemporary worship. In most of the contemporary worship that is offered
today, I find mindless and trite lyrics, poorly crafted melodies, and terrible
musicianship, but more on that in a future column. As years went by, my taste for music
changed as did the times, and I began to listen to and enjoy various styles of music,
including rock, pop, some jazz, and even disco (what can I say?) - all while majoring in
piano performance and practicing classical music everyday. At one point in my life, I was
studying classical music in graduate school, playing in a rock band, playing a piano bar
on weekends, and playing hymns on an organ at church on Sunday! Following that I was the
minister of music at a traditional church that charged me with the responsibility of
transitioning a traditional worship style to a more contemporary style, experiencing
firsthand the wrath of both sides. The reason I share all of this is to make it known that
I have played and enjoyed both contemporary and traditional music, and to hear the
question, "Which do you like better?" is harder to answer than the question,
"Who do you like better, your mom or your dad?"
Both contemporary and traditional styles have
validity, value, and purpose. However, the trend seems to be separating one from the
other, similar to throwing out the baby with the bath water. This unfortunate disparity is
clearly evidenced in the recent trend of split services; that is, churches that offer both
a contemporary service and a traditional service on the same Sunday morning. I have often
wondered if this is a knee-jerk reaction designed to ruffle the least amount of feathers
and keep the "founders" (often significant givers) pacified, while at the same
time providing something for the younger members who might otherwise be tempted to look
elsewhere, thus bolstering the size and economic base of the church. Does this solve the
problem or is it another .com investment? In I Corinthians 12:12-26 we read Paul’s
exhortation to the church to behave and respond as one body acknowledging all its parts,
and in verse 25 to not have any division in the body. The logic of split services flies in
the face of these Scriptures. Psalm 141:4 says, "One generation will commend your
works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts." In split services, one
generation will be separated from another. What happens is a polarization: "I go to
the contemporary service, it’s so relevant," or "You should try the
traditional service, it’s beautiful and reverent," and so on. Plain and simple,
it sure seems like division to me.
Why not a worship service that employs hymns
and contemporary worship songs together? Not one or the other, but both combined.
Here’s the result: by including some hymns, even arranged in a current style, those
of the traditional bent will see a respect for what they love and enjoy and thus have a
tendency to be more open to the music and style of those of the contemporary bent, and
vice versa. It works and produces fruit, this I know. The other benefit is that God’s
people grow up spiritually. Instead of two halves selfishly getting their own way, now one
body is learning to love and accept all of its parts.
For your prayerful consideration,
Clay Hecocks |