Music at church today

[joaniemarie]

I was saved in 1982 and was raised on the wonderful Hymns of the faith in our Hymnals. We learned them and sang them all the time. I can sing them all today from memory. The music in words and message was often Scripture and lovely and encouraging pointing to the Bible.

Today I have a hard time listening to the new songs and the beat. The kids are young vibrant believers who love the Lord Jesus of this I have no doubt. I've come to see that we each like different kinds of music and that it's not due us being more or less spiritual., it's more a matter of the times we lived in imo.

But that being said I miss the old hymns we sang and the worship we shared in music and song in church. I have been avoiding the 1/2 hr. before our church services. The kids jump up and down in great enthusiasm. I'm 62 and do appreciate upbeat music from the 50s 60s 70s when I'm driving in the car so I'm not against upbeat music.... but I long for the old worshipful Hymns and music in church. We used to have choir in church and us choice members practiced weekly it was beautiful... but they don't have that anymore either.

Has anyone else thought this about today's music in church?

 

[Subhumanoidal]

I was saved in 1982 and was raised on the wonderful Hymns of the faith in our Hymnals. We learned them and sang them all the time. I can sing them all today from memory. The music in words and message was often Scripture and lovely and encouraging pointing to the Bible.

Today I have a hard time listening to the new songs and the beat. The kids are young vibrant believers who love the Lord Jesus of this I have no doubt. I've come to see that we each like different kinds of music and that it's not due us being more or less spiritual., it's more a matter of the times we lived in imo.

But that being said I miss the old hymns we sang and the worship we shared in music and song in church. I have been avoiding the 1/2 hr. before our church services. The kids jump up and down in great enthusiasm. I'm 62 and do appreciate upbeat music from the 50s 60s 70s when I'm driving in the car so I'm not against upbeat music.... but I long for the old worshipful Hymns and music in church. We used to have choir in church and us choice members practiced weekly it was beautiful... but they don't have that anymore either.

Has anyone else thought this about today's music in church?

It's a subject that comes up every so often here. Mostly bashing the new music.
I'm an odd duck in that i'm neither a fan of hymns, nor the new stuff.

 

[joaniemarie]

I was saved in 1982 and was raised on the wonderful Hymns of the faith in our Hymnals. We learned them and sang them all the time. I can sing them all today from memory. The music in words and message was often Scripture and lovely and encouraging pointing to the Bible.

Today I have a hard time listening to the new songs and the beat. The kids are young vibrant believers who love the Lord Jesus of this I have no doubt. I've come to see that we each like different kinds of music and that it's not due us being more or less spiritual., it's more a matter of the times we lived in imo.

But that being said I miss the old hymns we sang and the worship we shared in music and song in church. I have been avoiding the 1/2 hr. before our church services. The kids jump up and down in great enthusiasm. I'm 62 and do appreciate upbeat music from the 50s 60s 70s when I'm driving in the car so I'm not against upbeat music.... but I long for the old worshipful Hymns and music in church. We used to have choir in church and us choir members practiced weekly it was beautiful... but they don't have that anymore either.

Has anyone else thought this about today's music in church?

 

[mar09]

Hi Joanie,
I didnt grow up in a church that sang many hymns, but after i became a Christian, got very interested in learning from church, radio, and other means like studying music sheets on my own=). Today i still want to learn one song at a time, after all these yrs. We dont sing many hymns in church now, but at least they still want one after some sharing time, and after the pastor's msg.

 

[GiveThanks]

I can remember when i was younger i would hear older people saying, the music of today is no good. Back in the day we had the best music. And now I find myself saying the same.

I think we have to just find the music we enjoy and listen to it, and let everyone else do the same.

The music we grew up on or what we listened to in youth will always be the better music for each generation. While the younger ones will get tired of listening to their parents old misic, so they'll invent something else and that will be whats popular untill the other genaration comes along. Thats just how it goes.

 

[joaniemarie]

Hi Joanie,
I didnt grow up in a church that sang many hymns, but after i became a Christian, got very interested in learning from church, radio, and other means like studying music sheets on my own=). Today i still want to learn one song at a time, after all these yrs. We dont sing many hymns in church now, but at least they still want one after some sharing time, and after the pastor's msg.

Hi Mar09 I didn't grow up in church either., got saved at age 20. Music has such an influence on us it's amazing what & how we humans respond isn't it?. The Bible says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord ...sing songs and hymns and spiritual songs....and there are examples in the Bible where people clapped., danced and sang...raised hands & bowed down in worship publicly. Publicly!! can you imagine?!!) LOL I'm soooo NOT that way and wish to be free flowing like that about my worship.

Music moves us emotionally. I've been moved to tears by music as well as wanting to dance around. Just like everything in these earthly bodies we have to "modify" what we hear, say and do as unto the Lord but I'm encouraged that "it is God that works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure."

I'm soooooo thankful the Holy Spirit will change us to be who we are in Christ daily as we work out what He has worked in us.

 

[joaniemarie]

I can remember when i was younger i would hear older people saying, the music of today is no good. Back in the day we had the best music. And now I find myself saying the same.

I think we have to just find the music we enjoy and listen to it, and let everyone else do the same.

The music we grew up on or what we listened to in youth will always be the better music for each generation. While the younger ones will get tired of listening to their parents old misic, so they'll invent something else and that will be whats popular untill the other genaration comes along. Thats just how it goes.

Hi GiveThanks., YES each generation has music they like. I really enjoy sometimes listening to my parent's music from the 40s and 50s. Driving to work with coffee in hand and upbeat fun music is a "pick me up" Maybe I'm a bit strange like that with the 40s & 50s 60's nostalgia .

In the 70s on through I noticed a trend on how the words of some of the songs were totally wrong but the music was very nice. The secular soft rock songs are my cup of tea depending on the words. And forget nowadays when they sing about rape and murder yeesshhh.

Lots of different music is wonderful and I think music is a gift from God.

 

[joaniemarie]

It's a subject that comes up every so often here. Mostly bashing the new music.
I'm an odd duck in that i'm neither a fan of hymns, nor the new stuff.

Hi "odd duck" I'm an odd duck too. The older I get the more it's teaching me that not everyone likes the beauty I do. They like things I can't stand and it's simply just personality differences. Years ago I would sorely judge others if they didn't like the same things., think the same things, believe the same things that I did.

I've come to see it's ok for me as a Christian with other Christians to prefer my own music, Bibles and commentaries., cloths style, hair style etc..., Took a long time to get here and be ok being an "odd duck" There's lots of us out there....

 

[tstumf]

I’m sure this has been said maybe dozens of times on this forum but I just got on here last month as a new member so maybe I could offer something different. I’m not in The youngest category anymore. I’m still considered a person in millennial generation at 32. Growing up we attended a church that sang directly from hymnal every Sunday, every song. The deacons and staff were suit and ties. I really struggled for it to grab my spirit. This was right in the height of mid to late 90s county music era. There was something about guitars ,drums and fiddles that perked my ears while I really struggled to even follow the old English words, reading sheet music and piano and organ music never has hit my ears pleasantly. The style of the church was so dry and stuffy I don’t think the spirit truly grew with me.

So naturally I just thought this must be how every church in America let alone the world was and my heart began to drift away from God for various other reasons as well but this was a reason no doubt. I was uninspired by it.

This uninterest of church went on into my 20s and up to my 30s. I’d read the Bible from time to time but it never really grabbed me and I had no one to really help keep me growing so my faith laid stagnant. I suppose I was in a Deist type acceptance of God. Recognizing him as a higher power but not acknowledging his active presence in my life.

Then one day about a year ago at 31 years old I felt something pulling at me to need to find a church I have to assume it was the Holy Spirit Immediately that uninspired tired old feeling washed over be and this time I fought it and Googled a “Christian church modern music” something popped in my browser locally and we gave it a whirl. A church that was essentially come as you are at your worst. We went despite Covid . Modern seating, welcoming staff. Walking into the main area of the church where the services are held and low and behold on stage is a cross, a projector screen a drum set, various electric and acoustic guitars. Something awoke in my spirit telling me could this be it? After a month of observation and making sure the sermon follows scriptures we called it our church and regularly attend every Sunday and I look forward to it. They do live covers of modern Christian music but they do slip in an old hymn every so often . My takeaway from this is Music truly does speak to the soul as they say. I don’t know if this is what you were looking for in responses. But that’s my story on how modern music and instruments has helped bring me back into a growing relationship with Christ.

 

[joaniemarie]

I’m sure this has been said maybe dozens of times on this forum but I just got on here last month as a new member so maybe I could offer something different. I’m not in The youngest category anymore. I’m still considered a person in millennial generation at 32. Growing up we attended a church that sang directly from hymnal every Sunday, every song. The deacons and staff were suit and ties. I really struggled for it to grab my spirit. This was right in the height of mid to late 90s county music era. There was something about guitars ,drums and fiddles that perked my ears while I really struggled to even follow the old English words, reading sheet music and piano and organ music never has hit my ears pleasantly. The style of the church was so dry and stuffy I don’t think the spirit truly grew with me.

So naturally I just thought this must be how every church in America let alone the world was and my heart began to drift away from God for various other reasons as well but this was a reason no doubt. I was uninspired by it.

This uninterest of church went on into my 20s and up to my 30s. I’d read the Bible from time to time but it never really grabbed me and I had no one to really help keep me growing so my faith laid stagnant. I suppose I was in a Deist type acceptance of God. Recognizing him as a higher power but not acknowledging his active presence in my life.

Then one day about a year ago at 31 years old I felt something pulling at me to need to find a church I have to assume it was the Holy Spirit Immediately that uninspired tired old feeling washed over be and this time I fought it and Googled a “Christian church modern music” something popped in my browser locally and we gave it a whirl. A church that was essentially come as you are at your worst. We went despite Covid . Modern seating, welcoming staff. Walking into the main area of the church where the services are held and low and behold on stage is a cross, a projector screen a drum set, various electric and acoustic guitars. Something awoke in my spirit telling me could this be it? After a month of observation and making sure the sermon follows scriptures we called it our church and regularly attend every Sunday and I look forward to it. They do live covers of modern Christian music but they do slip in an old hymn every so often . My takeaway from this is Music truly does speak to the soul as they say. I don’t know if this is what you were looking for in responses. But that’s my story on how modern music and instruments has helped bring me back into a growing relationship with Christ.

Hello Tstumf., What you shared is EXACTLY what I was looking for. You are also a testament to the fact that music speaks to each of us differently. Over the last few years I struggled listening to the new church worship music. God made it very clear to me He uses music that is not my cup of tea. LOL....

I felt guilty for not enjoying Sunday morning worship music like everyone else in congregation. NO NEED., because guilt is not supposed to be part of our lives as Christians, Jesus took our guilt and our shame. Thank you for sharing.

 

[GiveThanks]

I’m sure this has been said maybe dozens of times on this forum but I just got on here last month as a new member so maybe I could offer something different. I’m not in The youngest category anymore. I’m still considered a person in millennial generation at 32. Growing up we attended a church that sang directly from hymnal every Sunday, every song. The deacons and staff were suit and ties. I really struggled for it to grab my spirit. This was right in the height of mid to late 90s county music era. There was something about guitars ,drums and fiddles that perked my ears while I really struggled to even follow the old English words, reading sheet music and piano and organ music never has hit my ears pleasantly. The style of the church was so dry and stuffy I don’t think the spirit truly grew with me.

So naturally I just thought this must be how every church in America let alone the world was and my heart began to drift away from God for various other reasons as well but this was a reason no doubt. I was uninspired by it.

This uninterest of church went on into my 20s and up to my 30s. I’d read the Bible from time to time but it never really grabbed me and I had no one to really help keep me growing so my faith laid stagnant. I suppose I was in a Deist type acceptance of God. Recognizing him as a higher power but not acknowledging his active presence in my life.

Then one day about a year ago at 31 years old I felt something pulling at me to need to find a church I have to assume it was the Holy Spirit Immediately that uninspired tired old feeling washed over be and this time I fought it and Googled a “Christian church modern music” something popped in my browser locally and we gave it a whirl. A church that was essentially come as you are at your worst. We went despite Covid . Modern seating, welcoming staff. Walking into the main area of the church where the services are held and low and behold on stage is a cross, a projector screen a drum set, various electric and acoustic guitars. Something awoke in my spirit telling me could this be it? After a month of observation and making sure the sermon follows scriptures we called it our church and regularly attend every Sunday and I look forward to it. They do live covers of modern Christian music but they do slip in an old hymn every so often . My takeaway from this is Music truly does speak to the soul as they say. I don’t know if this is what you were looking for in responses. But that’s my story on how modern music and instruments has helped bring me back into a growing relationship with Christ.

Music is very important to some, far so more than others. However some of these songs that are trending are not of God.

Even if styles of music are different, whether it be hip hop gosple or rock & roll gosple music, what ever it might be that people enjoy listening to, but the words should be biblical. So nothing wrong with modern gosple music, once its biblical.

 

[Subhumanoidal]

Hi "odd duck" I'm an odd duck too. The older I get the more it's teaching me that not everyone likes the beauty I do. They like things I can't stand and it's simply just personality differences. Years ago I would sorely judge others if they didn't like the same things., think the same things, believe the same things that I did.

I've come to see it's ok for me as a Christian with other Christians to prefer my own music, Bibles and commentaries., cloths style, hair style etc..., Took a long time to get here and be ok being an "odd duck" There's lots of us out there....

Though no longer a Christian now, I was for 30 years. And one of my favorite things to do (and still is) is break stereotypes. People have always put me in a box because of how I dressed and looked, and it was always fun to not be all they expected of me. I felt it helped people to realize people are not always what you assume.
And the same goes for music. 🙂

 

[Gideon300]

I was saved in 1982 and was raised on the wonderful Hymns of the faith in our Hymnals. We learned them and sang them all the time. I can sing them all today from memory. The music in words and message was often Scripture and lovely and encouraging pointing to the Bible.

Today I have a hard time listening to the new songs and the beat. The kids are young vibrant believers who love the Lord Jesus of this I have no doubt. I've come to see that we each like different kinds of music and that it's not due us being more or less spiritual., it's more a matter of the times we lived in imo.

But that being said I miss the old hymns we sang and the worship we shared in music and song in church. I have been avoiding the 1/2 hr. before our church services. The kids jump up and down in great enthusiasm. I'm 62 and do appreciate upbeat music from the 50s 60s 70s when I'm driving in the car so I'm not against upbeat music.... but I long for the old worshipful Hymns and music in church. We used to have choir in church and us choice members practiced weekly it was beautiful... but they don't have that anymore either.

Has anyone else thought this about today's music in church?

I'm with you on this. I went a Baptist meeting and I asked them if they had a healing meeting for my ears after the service. God is not deaf. And His people should not be risking deafness by attending church!

The worst thing about modern Christian songs is the lack of content. Words with music are much easier to learn than words alone. Now we have brilliant musicians and fine singers, much better in the early days of my Christian life. Yet the songs are often bland and repetitive. Sure, some of the old hymns are pathetic too.

I still listen to the 1970's "Scripture in Song" by the New Zealander Dale Garrat and his colleagues. It's God's word. It's hard to go wrong with that! That the old hymns are special is demonstrated by how many modern singers add them to their repertoire.

 

[joaniemarie]

I'm with you on this. I went a Baptist meeting and I asked them if they had a healing meeting for my ears after the service. God is not deaf. And His people should not be risking deafness by attending church!

The worst thing about modern Christian songs is the lack of content. Words with music are much easier to learn than words alone. Now we have brilliant musicians and fine singers, much better in the early days of my Christian life. Yet the songs are often bland and repetitive. Sure, some of the old hymns are pathetic too.

I still listen to the 1970's "Scripture in Song" by the New Zealander Dale Garrat and his colleagues. It's God's word. It's hard to go wrong with that! That the old hymns are special is demonstrated by how many modern singers add them to their repertoire.

Good morning Gideon Ain't it the truth!? LOL healing meeting for your ears I know what you mean!! but they LOVE that stuff and it spurs them on as they rehearse together and in so doing admonish one another in songs., hymns and spiritual songs like we did during our choir rehearsals.

Although I cannot understand how that music is edifying I believe it's so for them and that God is pleased. I've seen and heard of many choir members and those in the music ministry over the years fall into pride and other sins because of the public displays and challenges of being up in front of people. I think all believers have to be aware of the many temptations today just like back in the day that "pride goes before a fall"

I also agree with you about the lack of content. I miss the music with message and scripture. But again., I have observed even the most gifted musician singing "hymns" has and can fall into silliness and pride. So when I look at these young people it's obvious that they deal with the exact same issues other believers did in the years before. Thank you for sharing

I listen to music on my laptop when reading morning devotions called "Holy Spirit Instrumentals" No words just calm piano and strings. Helps with the scripture to bring my mind to calmness.

 

[joaniemarie]

Though no longer a Christian now, I was for 30 years. And one of my favorite things to do (and still is) is break stereotypes. People have always put me in a box because of how I dressed and looked, and it was always fun to not be all they expected of me. I felt it helped people to realize people are not always what you assume.
And the same goes for music. 🙂

Good morning Subhumanoidal., I'm sorry to hear you are no longer a Christian after 30 yrs. I don't know how to get by without knowing Jesus is my Good Shepherd each day as I venture out and in life.

I know what you mean about others putting us in a box because of how we look and dress. I've dealt with that through life and still catch myself at it even to this day. It's comforting to know this part of being human and learning how to maneuver in society.

 

[mar09]

Hi Mar09 I didn't grow up in church either., got saved at age 20. Music has such an influence on us it's amazing what & how we humans respond isn't it?. The Bible says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord ...sing songs and hymns and spiritual songs....and there are examples in the Bible where people clapped., danced and sang...raised hands & bowed down in worship publicly. Publicly!! can you imagine?!!) LOL I'm soooo NOT that way and wish to be free flowing like that about my worship.

Music moves us emotionally. I've been moved to tears by music as well as wanting to dance around. Just like everything in these earthly bodies we have to "modify" what we hear, say and do as unto the Lord but I'm encouraged that "it is God that works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure."

I'm soooooo thankful the Holy Spirit will change us to be who we are in Christ daily as we work out what He has worked in us.

Thanks and loved ur reply. Wish i had more time to chat now.. but at times ive to make do w/ a few minutes. But i shall return, as the Lord allows.

 

[Mak33]

I was saved in 1982 and was raised on the wonderful Hymns of the faith in our Hymnals. We learned them and sang them all the time. I can sing them all today from memory. The music in words and message was often Scripture and lovely and encouraging pointing to the Bible.

Today I have a hard time listening to the new songs and the beat. The kids are young vibrant believers who love the Lord Jesus of this I have no doubt. I've come to see that we each like different kinds of music and that it's not due us being more or less spiritual., it's more a matter of the times we lived in imo.

But that being said I miss the old hymns we sang and the worship we shared in music and song in church. I have been avoiding the 1/2 hr. before our church services. The kids jump up and down in great enthusiasm. I'm 62 and do appreciate upbeat music from the 50s 60s 70s when I'm driving in the car so I'm not against upbeat music.... but I long for the old worshipful Hymns and music in church. We used to have choir in church and us choice members practiced weekly it was beautiful... but they don't have that anymore either.

Has anyone else thought this about today's music in church?

I like modern christian music than old hymnal gospel songs, although I listen to both, I don't like to keep on hearing a particular type that often so I tend to listening to different kinds of genre. I think it also depends on our personalities, personally, I prefer more on the alternative christian rock or the contemporary songs than the old gospel worship type, but in secular music I love the 50's 60's vocal jazz songs like Billie Holiday and alike... I'm weird! 🥴

 

[oldman]

I was saved in 1982 and was raised on the wonderful Hymns of the faith in our Hymnals. We learned them and sang them all the time. I can sing them all today from memory. The music in words and message was often Scripture and lovely and encouraging pointing to the Bible.

Today I have a hard time listening to the new songs and the beat. The kids are young vibrant believers who love the Lord Jesus of this I have no doubt. I've come to see that we each like different kinds of music and that it's not due us being more or less spiritual., it's more a matter of the times we lived in imo.

But that being said I miss the old hymns we sang and the worship we shared in music and song in church. I have been avoiding the 1/2 hr. before our church services. The kids jump up and down in great enthusiasm. I'm 62 and do appreciate upbeat music from the 50s 60s 70s when I'm driving in the car so I'm not against upbeat music.... but I long for the old worshipful Hymns and music in church. We used to have choir in church and us choice members practiced weekly it was beautiful... but they don't have that anymore either.

Has anyone else thought this about today's music in church?

Are you speaking of praise/worship music in your church service itself?

 

[Subhumanoidal]

Are you speaking of praise/worship music in your church service itself?

To quote the OP...

"But that being said I miss the old hymns we sang and the worship we shared in music and song in church. I have been avoiding the 1/2 hr. before our church services. The kids jump up and down in great enthusiasm. I'm 62 and do appreciate upbeat music from the 50s 60s 70s when I'm driving in the car so I'm not against upbeat music.... but I long for the old worshipful Hymns and music in church. We used to have choir in church

 

[Red_Kad]

I was saved in 1982 and was raised on the wonderful Hymns of the faith in our Hymnals. We learned them and sang them all the time. I can sing them all today from memory. The music in words and message was often Scripture and lovely and encouraging pointing to the Bible.

Today I have a hard time listening to the new songs and the beat. The kids are young vibrant believers who love the Lord Jesus of this I have no doubt. I've come to see that we each like different kinds of music and that it's not due us being more or less spiritual., it's more a matter of the times we lived in imo.

But that being said I miss the old hymns we sang and the worship we shared in music and song in church. I have been avoiding the 1/2 hr. before our church services. The kids jump up and down in great enthusiasm. I'm 62 and do appreciate upbeat music from the 50s 60s 70s when I'm driving in the car so I'm not against upbeat music.... but I long for the old worshipful Hymns and music in church. We used to have choir in church and us choice members practiced weekly it was beautiful... but they don't have that anymore either.

Has anyone else thought this about today's music in church?

No not necessarily.