So all this talk about what is good and bad about worship styles and I feel like all I've done is make some people happy and others. . . not so much. So I just want to sum things up by saying this: Worship isn't about us. It is about God. Over the last few posts I've talked about why people like different things and I think I have made some valid points, but so what?
It really upsets me when I see people, young and old alike that check out just because a certain style of music is being played. You have to understand that you might not like everything, but that others like what you don't. It isn't always about what makes you happy. It is about giving glory to God, and crossing your arms and pretending to be somewhere else until you like the song that is being played gives glory to no one. And honestly it makes your love for God seem conditional. I know I'm being harsh, and trust me I would rather not be, but this needs to said. People, I have my preferences. I love a screaming guitar, bass I can feel in my bones, and rocking drums. I love music I can dance to and music I can bow on my knees to. I love to run the gambit of intensity in worship. But I know that this does not suit everyone. Two my of favorite high praise songs haven't been done in my church. I understand that it is just too much for a lot of people, and yes sometimes that can be frustrating, but that doesn't stop me from giving God my all in worship, no matter the song.
What we need to come to grips with is that we are all saying the same thing, whatever style we sing it in. Think about it for a minute. . . How Great Thou Art (hymn) & How Great Is Our God (modern) What A Friend We Have In Jesus (hymn) & What a Friend I've Found, Friend of God (modern). See? Same thing. And as long as we are saying the same thing why does it matter if we like the accompaniment? Or for that matter the volume? Or what instrument is being played? As long as we glorify God what else really matters?
So what I'm saying is: It's time to lay our preferences aside. It's time to give God what He deserves no matter the style of the song. It's time to stop worrying about musical style and “worship in spirit and in truth” no matter what song we sing. And didn't Jesus tell us to prefer our brother? And aren't we supposed to try to reach the lost. . . who typically don't appreciate hymns? And shouldn't we honor our mother and father (and their mother and father) by singing songs they like? Don't discredit anything just because you don't like it. It all has its purpose. And its purpose is to glorify God.
It really upsets me when I see people, young and old alike that check out just because a certain style of music is being played. You have to understand that you might not like everything, but that others like what you don't. It isn't always about what makes you happy. It is about giving glory to God, and crossing your arms and pretending to be somewhere else until you like the song that is being played gives glory to no one. And honestly it makes your love for God seem conditional. I know I'm being harsh, and trust me I would rather not be, but this needs to said. People, I have my preferences. I love a screaming guitar, bass I can feel in my bones, and rocking drums. I love music I can dance to and music I can bow on my knees to. I love to run the gambit of intensity in worship. But I know that this does not suit everyone. Two my of favorite high praise songs haven't been done in my church. I understand that it is just too much for a lot of people, and yes sometimes that can be frustrating, but that doesn't stop me from giving God my all in worship, no matter the song.
What we need to come to grips with is that we are all saying the same thing, whatever style we sing it in. Think about it for a minute. . . How Great Thou Art (hymn) & How Great Is Our God (modern) What A Friend We Have In Jesus (hymn) & What a Friend I've Found, Friend of God (modern). See? Same thing. And as long as we are saying the same thing why does it matter if we like the accompaniment? Or for that matter the volume? Or what instrument is being played? As long as we glorify God what else really matters?
So what I'm saying is: It's time to lay our preferences aside. It's time to give God what He deserves no matter the style of the song. It's time to stop worrying about musical style and “worship in spirit and in truth” no matter what song we sing. And didn't Jesus tell us to prefer our brother? And aren't we supposed to try to reach the lost. . . who typically don't appreciate hymns? And shouldn't we honor our mother and father (and their mother and father) by singing songs they like? Don't discredit anything just because you don't like it. It all has its purpose. And its purpose is to glorify God.
