The Hymns Are Making A Comeback

[RDP]

That's right everyone. This link will explain it all. I was also reading some other articles, in Friday's Birmingham News and on Dallas Morning News' Web Site and discovered the same thing. They both had an article that spoke of many Churches, that were bringing back the hymns. Even an article I saw on Moody's Web Site, was speaking of the Hymns making a comeback. There is a huge demand for these timeless classics. Even the youth and young adults are embracing these songs, from what I was reading.

Maybe Morning Light was right after all. Traditional Gospel isn't dead. It's now being embraced by many and is in huge demand. I find it amazing that when many Churches want to remove the classic songs, from their roster, they seem to find their way back into these places that took them away.

RDP <><

P.S. If you don't have Selah, in your CD collection, please go get their music. They are awesome and I have all of their CD's. I am now waiting for them to release their new CD, later this Summer. Saw them in concert, back in 1998 and just fell in love with them. I'm still a big supporter of CCM but there are times, when I have to listen to the Hymns. I can't live without these timeless classics, for they have and will always be a part of my upbringing.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/selah.html

 

[neutral_observer]

> That's right everyone. This link will explain it all. I
> was also reading some other articles, in Friday's Birmingham
> News and on Dallas Morning News' Web Site and discovered the
> same thing. They both had an article that spoke of many
> Churches, that were bringing back the hymns. Even an article
> I saw on Moody's Web Site, was speaking of the Hymns making
> a comeback.

It's the same article. One. Over and over. I saw it several weeks ago.




> There is a huge demand for these timeless
> classics. Even the youth and young adults are embracing
> these songs, from what I was reading.

Not necessarily...per se.



> I find it amazing that when many Churches want to
> remove the classic songs, from their roster, they seem to
> find their way back into these places that took them away.

Not necessarily. It's mainly about the really, really large churches that have reached a size where they can and do offer a "traditional" service in an entirely different venue and possibly on a different campus. It keeps them happy, moots their complaints, and takes them out of the traffic flow so that everything else can move faster and/or be better targeted.

I could say more, but it would sound even more cold and cynical, which I don't want to do because it's not cold or cynical...

...necessarily.

 

[gr8oldies]

My UMC has two contemporary services in the gym, and two traditional services in the sanctuary with all the responsive readings and traditional hymns you can handle. We keep the pastor in running shoes to run back and forth to do the sermon.<P ID="signature">______________
"Your right to know supersedes your right to exist"..Gary Burbank</P>

 

[smashedcd]

> My UMC has two contemporary services in the gym, and two
> traditional services in the sanctuary with all the
> responsive readings and traditional hymns you can handle. We
> keep the pastor in running shoes to run back and forth to do
> the sermon.
>
where i use to go to church in west lincoln mississippi they still have a hymn..announcement..hymn..1st /3rd stanzas ..offering..hymn..sermon..invitation...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
its like its still 1929!! or 1829 in other words..in some places they dont need to make a comeback. they never left..<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>

 

[MarkLaRoi]

> > My UMC has two contemporary services in the gym, and two
> > traditional services in the sanctuary with all the
> > responsive readings and traditional hymns you can handle.
> We
> > keep the pastor in running shoes to run back and forth to
> do
> > the sermon.
> >
> where i use to go to church in west lincoln mississippi they
> still have a hymn..announcement..hymn..1st /3rd stanzas
..off> ering..hymn..sermon..invitation...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
>
> its like its still 1929!! or 1829 in other words..in some
> places they dont need to make a comeback. they never left..
>


It's sad that there isn't enough excitement in the work of the Lord that people try and "excite" congregants by providing their favorite form of music rather than just concentrating on quality songs that are biblically sound and letting the Holy Spirit move the people. <P ID="signature">______________
~Always leave a hole when you go.
</img></P>

 

[MightyFrenchman]

There are a growing number of full power stations and translators connected to Horizon Radio Network, Calvary Satellite Network, American Family Radio and even to local churches that are focusing on praise & worship music. Those stations' audiences continue to grow. The praise & worship music doesn't necessarily sound "traditional" but many of the songs are traditional hymns presented in a more contemporary fashion.

> That's right everyone. This link will explain it all. I
> was also reading some other articles, in Friday's Birmingham
> News and on Dallas Morning News' Web Site and discovered the
> same thing. They both had an article that spoke of many
> Churches, that were bringing back the hymns. Even an article
> I saw on Moody's Web Site, was speaking of the Hymns making
> a comeback. There is a huge demand for these timeless
> classics. Even the youth and young adults are embracing
> these songs, from what I was reading.

 

[gregdymon]

While I was in Seminary (New Orleans), I served an internship in a Baton Rouge, LA church that actually held FIVE different services on their campus through the weekend. The traditional service in two services on Sunday morning (in the main sanctuary), a full-blown contemporary service in the gym, and a southern gospel/country christian service on Saturday night in the gym. The fifth was a blended service (more traditional than contemporary) on Sunday night. The traditional morning service messages were preached by the Senior Pastor, the contemporary and county services were pastored by other staff members. It was a really neat place to be on weekends, I just wish other churches would commit themselves to the arduous task of developing such ministries and programs... as a bi-vocation minister, however, I'm hardened to the fact that most pastors and even more churches are afraid to do something that might "weaken their position" of leadership in the particular congregation and in their community... such a shame.

BTW.... as to the young (teens and college) returning to hymns... there does seem to be an attraction of our students back to what is termed "ancient-modern" worship... they seem to be attracted to forms (liturgy, etc) more than to the hymns in thier "traditional setting". In other words, they like the sense of structure (go figure) and the doctrinal teachings included in hymns, but not the staid, stodgy presentation of hymns commonly offered by "traditional" churches. At least thats what the research I've been reading says.

> My UMC has two contemporary services in the gym, and two
> traditional services in the sanctuary with all the
> responsive readings and traditional hymns you can handle. We
> keep the pastor in running shoes to run back and forth to do
> the sermon.
>

 

[rbrucecarter]

> It's sad that there isn't enough excitement in the work of
> the Lord that people try and "excite" congregants by
> providing their favorite form of music rather than just
> concentrating on quality songs that are biblically sound and
> letting the Holy Spirit move the people.

I am glad traditional services are available for people that want them. As long as I do not have to attend. My church does have hymns - but they are the words only to contemporary music. The timeless truths in the old songs - in a form that is palatable to me. I have no time for debates on musical style vs. the depth of a person's walk with the Lord - many people have challenged me on that point - ALL have eventually backed down or chickened out of the debate. Never judge the maturity of a Christian believers walk based on their musical taste, preference for Bible translation, etc.

I equate the following Christian / secular formats:

Hymns = Classical
Praise and worship = soft rock
CCM = top 40

Things begin to break down where there is no secular equivalent:
teaching = ???
Christian talk = secular talk ????
Southern Gospel = country ???

Given that people are people, and assuming they don't change much in their tastes, you could probably get a rough idea of prospective ratings for each format by looking at their secular equivalent. Using that comparison - I am doubtful that the audience for hymns, especially with younger listeners, is over a half a percent to one percent. Since ratings = potential salvations = financial support (nobody has ever challenged me on that one!), programming an all hymns station would be a very risky venture in all but the largest markets.

 

[MarkLaRoi]

> > It's sad that there isn't enough excitement in the work of
>
> > the Lord that people try and "excite" congregants by
> > providing their favorite form of music rather than just
> > concentrating on quality songs that are biblically sound
> and
> > letting the Holy Spirit move the people.
>
> I am glad traditional services are available for people that
> want them. As long as I do not have to attend. My church
> does have hymns - but they are the words only to
> contemporary music. The timeless truths in the old songs -
> in a form that is palatable to me. I have no time for
> debates on musical style vs. the depth of a person's walk
> with the Lord - many people have challenged me on that point
> - ALL have eventually backed down or chickened out of the
> debate. Never judge the maturity of a Christian believers
> walk based on their musical taste, preference for Bible
> translation, etc.
>
> I equate the following Christian / secular formats:
>
> Hymns = Classical
> Praise and worship = soft rock
> CCM = top 40
>
> Things begin to break down where there is no secular
> equivalent:
> teaching = ???
> Christian talk = secular talk ????
> Southern Gospel = country ???
>
> Given that people are people, and assuming they don't change
> much in their tastes, you could probably get a rough idea of
> prospective ratings for each format by looking at their
> secular equivalent. Using that comparison - I am doubtful
> that the audience for hymns, especially with younger
> listeners, is over a half a percent to one percent. Since
> ratings = potential salvations = financial support (nobody
> has ever challenged me on that one!), programming an all
> hymns station would be a very risky venture in all but the
> largest markets.
>



I was speaking specifically in terms of church worship. There's plenty of room on the radio dial for variety, but since having several very challenging discussions on seeker-driven churches recently, I've begun to question whether or not it's a good idea to try and give everybody what they want in church. <P ID="signature">______________
~Always leave a hole when you go.
</img></P>

 

[smashedcd]

sounds like you went to istrouma???

i like the hyms but not to an organ and piano..with a guitar, bass , drums...i actually cant stand modern contemporary praise..and i am a metalhead!! i would rather hear country gospel actually in church.



> While I was in Seminary (New Orleans), I served an
> internship in a Baton Rouge, LA church that actually held
> FIVE different services on their campus through the weekend.
> The traditional service in two services on Sunday morning
> (in the main sanctuary), a full-blown contemporary service
> in the gym, and a southern gospel/country christian service
> on Saturday night in the gym. The fifth was a blended
> service (more traditional than contemporary) on Sunday
> night. The traditional morning service messages were
> preached by the Senior Pastor, the contemporary and county
> services were pastored by other staff members. It was a
> really neat place to be on weekends, I just wish other
> churches would commit themselves to the arduous task of
> developing such ministries and programs... as a bi-vocation
> minister, however, I'm hardened to the fact that most
> pastors and even more churches are afraid to do something
> that might "weaken their position" of leadership in the
> particular congregation and in their community... such a
> shame.
>
> BTW.... as to the young (teens and college) returning to
> hymns... there does seem to be an attraction of our students
> back to what is termed "ancient-modern" worship... they seem
> to be attracted to forms (liturgy, etc) more than to the
> hymns in thier "traditional setting". In other words, they
> like the sense of structure (go figure) and the doctrinal
> teachings included in hymns, but not the staid, stodgy
> presentation of hymns commonly offered by "traditional"
> churches. At least thats what the research I've been reading
> says.
>
> > My UMC has two contemporary services in the gym, and two
> > traditional services in the sanctuary with all the
> > responsive readings and traditional hymns you can handle.
> We
> > keep the pastor in running shoes to run back and forth to
> do
> > the sermon.
> >
>
<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>

 

[smashedcd]

> > > It's sad that there isn't enough excitement in the work
> of
> >
> > > the Lord that people try and "excite" congregants by
> > > providing their favorite form of music rather than just
> > > concentrating on quality songs that are biblically sound
>
> > and
> > > letting the Holy Spirit move the people.
> >
> > I am glad traditional services are available for people
> that
> > want them. As long as I do not have to attend. My church
>
> > does have hymns - but they are the words only to
> > contemporary music. The timeless truths in the old songs
> -
> > in a form that is palatable to me. I have no time for
> > debates on musical style vs. the depth of a person's walk
> > with the Lord - many people have challenged me on that
> point
> > - ALL have eventually backed down or chickened out of the
> > debate. Never judge the maturity of a Christian believers
>
> > walk based on their musical taste, preference for Bible
> > translation, etc.
> >
> > I equate the following Christian / secular formats:
> >
> > Hymns = Classical
> > Praise and worship = soft rock
> > CCM = top 40
> >
> > Things begin to break down where there is no secular
> > equivalent:
> > teaching = ???
> > Christian talk = secular talk ????
> > Southern Gospel = country ???
> >
> > Given that people are people, and assuming they don't
> change
> > much in their tastes, you could probably get a rough idea
> of
> > prospective ratings for each format by looking at their
> > secular equivalent. Using that comparison - I am doubtful
>
> > that the audience for hymns, especially with younger
> > listeners, is over a half a percent to one percent. Since
>
> > ratings = potential salvations = financial support (nobody
>
> > has ever challenged me on that one!), programming an all
> > hymns station would be a very risky venture in all but the
>
> > largest markets.
> >
>
>
>
> I was speaking specifically in terms of church worship.
> There's plenty of room on the radio dial for variety, but
> since having several very challenging discussions on
> seeker-driven churches recently, I've begun to question
> whether or not it's a good idea to try and give everybody
> what they want in church.
>
we agree.. church is to worship the Lord..not to drink coffee, eat, hang out with 1000 of your best friends and to listen to a rock concert. i am completely and 100 percent against the seeker sensitive movement! just like i am against the WOF movement..and the purpose movement..teaching someone how to make money and how to free your mind is not what church is suppose to be about. if you arent convicted in church someone aint doing something right!

rant off <P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>

 

[RDP]

> > > > It's sad that there isn't enough excitement in the
> work
> > of
> > >
> > > > the Lord that people try and "excite" congregants by
> > > > providing their favorite form of music rather than
> just
> > > > concentrating on quality songs that are biblically
> sound
> >
> > > and
> > > > letting the Holy Spirit move the people.
> > >
> > > I am glad traditional services are available for people
> > that
> > > want them. As long as I do not have to attend. My
> church
> >
> > > does have hymns - but they are the words only to
> > > contemporary music. The timeless truths in the old
> songs
> > -
> > > in a form that is palatable to me. I have no time for
> > > debates on musical style vs. the depth of a person's
> walk
> > > with the Lord - many people have challenged me on that
> > point
> > > - ALL have eventually backed down or chickened out of
> the
> > > debate. Never judge the maturity of a Christian
> believers
> >
> > > walk based on their musical taste, preference for Bible
> > > translation, etc.
> > >
> > > I equate the following Christian / secular formats:
> > >
> > > Hymns = Classical
> > > Praise and worship = soft rock
> > > CCM = top 40
> > >
> > > Things begin to break down where there is no secular
> > > equivalent:
> > > teaching = ???
> > > Christian talk = secular talk ????
> > > Southern Gospel = country ???
> > >
> > > Given that people are people, and assuming they don't
> > change
> > > much in their tastes, you could probably get a rough
> idea
> > of
> > > prospective ratings for each format by looking at their
> > > secular equivalent. Using that comparison - I am
> doubtful
> >
> > > that the audience for hymns, especially with younger
> > > listeners, is over a half a percent to one percent.
> Since
> >
> > > ratings = potential salvations = financial support
> (nobody
> >
> > > has ever challenged me on that one!), programming an all
>
> > > hymns station would be a very risky venture in all but
> the
> >
> > > largest markets.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > I was speaking specifically in terms of church worship.
> > There's plenty of room on the radio dial for variety, but
> > since having several very challenging discussions on
> > seeker-driven churches recently, I've begun to question
> > whether or not it's a good idea to try and give everybody
> > what they want in church.
> >
> we agree.. church is to worship the Lord..not to drink
> coffee, eat, hang out with 1000 of your best friends and to
> listen to a rock concert. i am completely and 100 percent
> against the seeker sensitive movement! just like i am
> against the WOF movement..and the purpose movement..teaching
> someone how to make money and how to free your mind is not
> what church is suppose to be about. if you arent convicted
> in church someone aint doing something right!
>
> rant off
>
Great responses to this post. I am amazed, that many people did respond. Concering the post above this one, you are so right. People need to be convicted of their sinful ways. Since so many Churches are now getting too far away from the true Word of God, this nation is going down very fast. I am very disturbed by this trend.

We need more convicting, soul winning, Gospel Preaching, tell it like it is and Bible practicing Preachers in the pulpits. Unless the Preacher is setting the right example and is Preaching the truths of God's Word, how do you expect the members to be obedient to it? From what I am seeing, this nation could use more Preachers, like I just stated, since we are quickly going in the wrong direction.

May God have mercy on this nation, for the sake of His real followers.

Last time I checked, the Church was not the place to get your entertainment thang on. As I recall it, it's still the place where we are to promote the real Word of God and remind the people of their duties, as followers of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Thank God my home Church is promoting the meat and potatoes doctrines that are still in the Bible.

RDP <><

 

[gregdymon]

You were close.... try the largest non catholic private school system. Parkview Baptist Church off of Airport. It was back in 96.

Didn't you say you went to church in Lincoln County, Mississippi? What part of the county did you live in?

> sounds like you went to istrouma???
>
> i like the hyms but not to an organ and piano..with a
> guitar, bass , drums...i actually cant stand modern
> contemporary praise..and i am a metalhead!! i would rather
> hear country gospel actually in church.
>
>
>
> > While I was in Seminary (New Orleans), I served an
> > internship in a Baton Rouge, LA church that actually held
> > FIVE different services on their campus through the
> weekend.
> > The traditional service in two services on Sunday morning
> > (in the main sanctuary), a full-blown contemporary service
>
> > in the gym, and a southern gospel/country christian
> service
> > on Saturday night in the gym. The fifth was a blended
> > service (more traditional than contemporary) on Sunday
> > night. The traditional morning service messages were
> > preached by the Senior Pastor, the contemporary and county
>
> > services were pastored by other staff members. It was a
> > really neat place to be on weekends, I just wish other
> > churches would commit themselves to the arduous task of
> > developing such ministries and programs... as a
> bi-vocation
> > minister, however, I'm hardened to the fact that most
> > pastors and even more churches are afraid to do something
> > that might "weaken their position" of leadership in the
> > particular congregation and in their community... such a
> > shame.
> >
> > BTW.... as to the young (teens and college) returning to
> > hymns... there does seem to be an attraction of our
> students
> > back to what is termed "ancient-modern" worship... they
> seem
> > to be attracted to forms (liturgy, etc) more than to the
> > hymns in thier "traditional setting". In other words, they
>
> > like the sense of structure (go figure) and the doctrinal
> > teachings included in hymns, but not the staid, stodgy
> > presentation of hymns commonly offered by "traditional"
> > churches. At least thats what the research I've been
> reading
> > says.
> >
> > > My UMC has two contemporary services in the gym, and two
>
> > > traditional services in the sanctuary with all the
> > > responsive readings and traditional hymns you can
> handle.
> > We
> > > keep the pastor in running shoes to run back and forth
> to
> > do
> > > the sermon.
> > >
> >
>

 

[smashedcd]

> You were close.... try the largest non catholic private
> school system. Parkview Baptist Church off of Airport. It
> was back in 96.
>
> Didn't you say you went to church in Lincoln County,
> Mississippi? What part of the county did you live in?

I was on nights at wqck in 96 ..parkview..thats not far from where i work now. there was a christian coffee house close to there i went to back in the mid 90s..it didnt last long however..

i lived in mccomb. i went to church in west lincoln..i also worked in brookhaven..one of my last radio gigs was there..well sorta..i took the job..and quit the next day ..because i decided to take a gig in baton rouge instead..and they went bankrupt in brookhaven..so glad i left

>
> > sounds like you went to istrouma???
> >
> > i like the hyms but not to an organ and piano..with a
> > guitar, bass , drums...i actually cant stand modern
> > contemporary praise..and i am a metalhead!! i would rather
>
> > hear country gospel actually in church.
> >
> >
> >
> > > While I was in Seminary (New Orleans), I served an
> > > internship in a Baton Rouge, LA church that actually
> held
> > > FIVE different services on their campus through the
> > weekend.
> > > The traditional service in two services on Sunday
> morning
> > > (in the main sanctuary), a full-blown contemporary
> service
> >
> > > in the gym, and a southern gospel/country christian
> > service
> > > on Saturday night in the gym. The fifth was a blended
> > > service (more traditional than contemporary) on Sunday
> > > night. The traditional morning service messages were
> > > preached by the Senior Pastor, the contemporary and
> county
> >
> > > services were pastored by other staff members. It was a
> > > really neat place to be on weekends, I just wish other
> > > churches would commit themselves to the arduous task of
> > > developing such ministries and programs... as a
> > bi-vocation
> > > minister, however, I'm hardened to the fact that most
> > > pastors and even more churches are afraid to do
> something
> > > that might "weaken their position" of leadership in the
> > > particular congregation and in their community... such a
>
> > > shame.
> > >
> > > BTW.... as to the young (teens and college) returning to
>
> > > hymns... there does seem to be an attraction of our
> > students
> > > back to what is termed "ancient-modern" worship... they
> > seem
> > > to be attracted to forms (liturgy, etc) more than to the
>
> > > hymns in thier "traditional setting". In other words,
> they
> >
> > > like the sense of structure (go figure) and the
> doctrinal
> > > teachings included in hymns, but not the staid, stodgy
> > > presentation of hymns commonly offered by "traditional"
> > > churches. At least thats what the research I've been
> > reading
> > > says.
> > >
> > > > My UMC has two contemporary services in the gym, and
> two
> >
> > > > traditional services in the sanctuary with all the
> > > > responsive readings and traditional hymns you can
> > handle.
> > > We
> > > > keep the pastor in running shoes to run back and forth
>
> > to
> > > do
> > > > the sermon.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>

 

[varedhead]

Re: Coffee, concerts and church

"we agree.. church is to worship the Lord..not to drink coffee, eat, hang out with 1000 of your best friends and to listen to a rock concert. i am completely and 100 percent against the seeker sensitive movement!"

I don't agree. I don't want to shock anyone but at my church we worship, have coffee with friends, if desired we can eat lunch or dinner or a snack, and pray with each other between services, have talented people play music after service and continue worship even when the church services are over.
If my church is considered a seeker friendly one then good because we take in all of those problem people most don't want in their churches, we love them, send them to classes where they become knowledgable in scripture and become successful people in life able to be Godly examples at their jobs and able to reach out and bring in other "misfits". They come in with piercings, tattoos and spiked hair, dress is not important because as they learn more of scripture, all of that disappears (piercings and strange hair) and the dress becomes modest. We don't have to do anything, God does it. I've witnessed it. We have a full house of young people worshiping with all ages(as old as 90 years) and our P&W team rocks and God is in it.
Each Sunday morning and Sunday evening and at all youth groups,and other groups, our alter is full of those(old and young) recommitting their lives or making first time decisions. It's nothing to see 30 or 40 people walking down the aisle each Sunday, and it isn't to join the church, it's to know Jesus. It's funny too because many of these starting over with the Lord come from other churches. We get information on them and keep track of them no matter where they end up worshipping full time. Those that stay we give them the tools they need to change their lives and if they are into sex,drugs,alcohol or whatever,they get the prayers and tools to change, and they do.
Healings take place in our church constantly and those without jobs come to our church and end up in good jobs.
church is not just for Sunday from 11-12pm, we are the church and the building is the place where we gather and not just on Sundays, rarely are our parking lots empty. As you pass by you would think there is a concert going on every day.
We are community minded but above all the teaching we receive comes from the same scriptures you read but the way it is presented (by the way hell is not left out, neither is the need for living sexually pure if single, living without drugs & alcohol and blunt discussion from the pulpit of those other taboos (abortion, homosexuality) these are topics not discussed from the pulpit in most churches). It makes you desire to be a better person and overcome sick thinking and experiences that hold you back from being that person Jesus desires for you. You are a better example of Christ.
It would be good before you open your keyboard to visit a church like mine before you criticize. I'm believing you are just unaware of what God is doing and "ranting" as you put it without knowledge.

 

[varedhead]

"programming an all hymns station would be a very risky venture in all but the
> largest markets."

BBN already does that, of course they have programming too, but their hymns are almost as old as the people who wrote them.

 

[smashedcd]

Re: Coffee, concerts and church

my church has bass drums and guitars..i have long hair!! i go to an outcast church..we accept anyone. the diffrence between us and some seeker sensitive churches is we preach against sin! homosexuality, drugs, alcohol, whatever the holy spirit says to preach that day is what the pastor preaches about..no program. no directtv on the wall..no coffee house..no restaraunt..the problem with these seeker sensitive churches is they get people in but dont preach repentance..they might OFFEND somone...and that my friend is wrong! i once went to a mega church with 300 diffrent groups or cells..i will never..ever ..go back!! if the word aint preached..i aint going. am i a sinner..you bet!! and i need to hear the true word of god NOT how to make millions or learn some self help garbage..and i bet most of these hundreds of people that walk the isles of a seeker sensitive church every sunday arent really saved..they are doing it because everyone else is...i listen to metal, classic rock, country, all kinds of stuff but i dont want to hear anything but true praise in church..not a show like i use to see in north baton rouge on sundays..and like most seeker sensitive churches do..


rant off..





> "we agree.. church is to worship the Lord..not to drink
> coffee, eat, hang out with 1000 of your best friends and to
> listen to a rock concert. i am completely and 100 percent
> against the seeker sensitive movement!"
>
> I don't agree. I don't want to shock anyone but at my church
> we worship, have coffee with friends, if desired we can eat
> lunch or dinner or a snack, and pray with each other between
> services, have talented people play music after service and
> continue worship even when the church services are over.
> If my church is considered a seeker friendly one then good
> because we take in all of those problem people most don't
> want in their churches, we love them, send them to classes
> where they become knowledgable in scripture and become
> successful people in life able to be Godly examples at their
> jobs and able to reach out and bring in other "misfits".
> They come in with piercings, tattoos and spiked hair, dress
> is not important because as they learn more of scripture,
> all of that disappears (piercings and strange hair) and the
> dress becomes modest. We don't have to do anything, God does
> it. I've witnessed it. We have a full house of young people
> worshiping with all ages(as old as 90 years) and our P&W
> team rocks and God is in it.
> Each Sunday morning and Sunday evening and at all youth
> groups,and other groups, our alter is full of those(old and
> young) recommitting their lives or making first time
> decisions. It's nothing to see 30 or 40 people walking down
> the aisle each Sunday, and it isn't to join the church, it's
> to know Jesus. It's funny too because many of these starting
> over with the Lord come from other churches. We get
> information on them and keep track of them no matter where
> they end up worshipping full time. Those that stay we give
> them the tools they need to change their lives and if they
> are into sex,drugs,alcohol or whatever,they get the prayers
> and tools to change, and they do.
> Healings take place in our church constantly and those
> without jobs come to our church and end up in good jobs.
> church is not just for Sunday from 11-12pm, we are the
> church and the building is the place where we gather and not
> just on Sundays, rarely are our parking lots empty. As you
> pass by you would think there is a concert going on every
> day.
> We are community minded but above all the teaching we
> receive comes from the same scriptures you read but the way
> it is presented (by the way hell is not left out, neither is
> the need for living sexually pure if single, living without
> drugs & alcohol and blunt discussion from the pulpit of
> those other taboos (abortion, homosexuality) these are
> topics not discussed from the pulpit in most churches). It
> makes you desire to be a better person and overcome sick
> thinking and experiences that hold you back from being that
> person Jesus desires for you. You are a better example of
> Christ.
> It would be good before you open your keyboard to visit a
> church like mine before you criticize. I'm believing you are
> just unaware of what God is doing and "ranting" as you put
> it without knowledge.
>
<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>

 

[rbrucecarter]

> I was speaking specifically in terms of church worship.

I can't worship to slow boring music. Neither could David, a man after God's own heart. When Michal, his first wife, objected to him celebrating by dancing in the street - she was stricken barren.

My church features worship music in the rock style. Once, during a sermon series, we had a free Expresso machine. Everything is done to make the church experience friendly, entertaining, comfortable, exciting, and professional for those worshipping.

> I've begun to question
> whether or not it's a good idea to try and give everybody
> what they want in church.

Give them what they want, or they will go somewhere else or give up. But - I see nothing wrong in making church actually fun to go to - a place you wouldn't think of missing a service, as long as the doctrine is 100% on target.

My church confronts sin - ALL sin. No pandering, no watering down. We don't shrink from politically sensitive issues like homosexuality. It is called a SIN openly. The Bible is preached as inerrant. Probably, you wouldn't like my church because it is FUN. That's OK - go to the hymns church down the street. But don't presume to judge churches that are actually being creative and fun to attend. Unless there is heresy in the pulpit - you are on very thin ice in criticizing a ministry where God is at work. Oh - and we grew 40% last year in membership.

 

[gregdymon]

> > I am glad traditional services are available for people
> that
> > want them. As long as I do not have to attend. My church
>
> > does have hymns - but they are the words only to
> > contemporary music. The timeless truths in the old songs
> -
> > in a form that is palatable to me. I have no time for
> > debates on musical style vs. the depth of a person's walk
> > with the Lord
snip
>
> I was speaking specifically in terms of church worship.
> There's plenty of room on the radio dial for variety, but
> since having several very challenging discussions on
> seeker-driven churches recently, I've begun to question
> whether or not it's a good idea to try and give everybody
> what they want in church.
>
Actually, if one were to read up on hymnody (the study of hymns) one would recognize that many of the hymns we sing were re-wording of secular songs, even bar songs, of the day. Even those that were not adaptations of current popular secular songs were in the genre of current popular music. I am quite offended by anyone who suggests that the songs of worship are limited only to those written in the format of a hymn from those times. As long as the text glorifies God, I think that whatever the "sound," it glorifies God, edifies the body, encourages the believer and beckons the lost. The "sound" however is what everyone typically gets upset about, often without even paying attention to what the song is really saying, and how the artist and/or songwriter lives (or doesn't) in a manner that glorifies God.

 

[gregdymon]

I agree with much of what you and smashedcd are saying. However, who is to say that JUST BECAUSE A CHURCH USES A CERTAIN "STYLE" OF MUSIC THEY AREN'T being led by a "convicting, soul winning, Gospel Preaching, tell it like it is Bible practicing Preacher in the pulpit"? And who is to say that hymn singing churches can't/aren't reaching lost people for God? Who is to say that mega churches can't reach the lost and disciple them? The practice of faith is a many-faceted issue. The problems we are seeing discussed here are extremely similar to arguments in the church during the first centuries. Jesus said to judge believers by the fruit they bear.... not by the styles, the translation, the songs, or the ministries... but by the fruit. I have to restrain myself at times from saying "that church will NEVER reach their community" just because I don't personally like their approach to worship, ministry, discipleship or whatever.... all I can be responsible for is me and my relationship with God.

> Great responses to this post. I am amazed, that many people
> did respond. Concering the post above this one, you are so
> right. People need to be convicted of their sinful ways.
> Since so many Churches are now getting too far away from the
> true Word of God, this nation is going down very fast. I am
> very disturbed by this trend.
>
> We need more convicting, soul winning, Gospel Preaching,
> tell it like it is and Bible practicing Preachers in the
> pulpits. Unless the Preacher is setting the right example
> and is Preaching the truths of God's Word, how do you expect
> the members to be obedient to it? From what I am seeing,
> this nation could use more Preachers, like I just stated,
> since we are quickly going in the wrong direction.
>
> May God have mercy on this nation, for the sake of His real
> followers.
>
> Last time I checked, the Church was not the place to get
> your entertainment thang on. As I recall it, it's still the
> place where we are to promote the real Word of God and
> remind the people of their duties, as followers of the risen
> Lord Jesus Christ. Thank God my home Church is promoting
> the meat and potatoes doctrines that are still in the Bible.
>
>
> RDP <
>