The wise pastor told his new worship director, “There’s one style of music I hope you never play in our church.” She grabbed a pen and asked, “What is it?” He replied, “I’ll never tell you. If we all insist on getting our own way, we’ll never sing anything.”
Few issues are more controversial in church than music. Some churches solve the problem by providing two worship options, a traditional service for those who prefer the hymns and a contemporary one for those who enjoy newer music.
Marva Dawn warns, “It is utterly dangerous for churches to offer choices of worship styles.” She explains that it divides the church, treats Christians as consumers, and robs us of the opportunity to serve our neighbor. We should rejoice when a tune is sung that we don’t like, for that’s an opportunity to deny ourselves for the sake of our brother or sister (Matthew 16:24). When hymn-lovers try to learn a new praise chorus or if contemporary music fans sing an old hymn, both are saying to the other, “This may not be my cup of tea, but I’m willing to make room for you. I’ll sing along for your sake, and the whole church will benefit.” Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves. If we’re unwilling to do this during worship, when would we ever do it? (Mark 12:29-31).
God knows there will be variety in our worship services. We have all been created with different tastes, and He says that Spirit-filled believers will sing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs . . . making music to the Lord in your hearts” (Ephesians 5:19). Our great God deserves to be praised by the widest variety of worshipers and styles. Keep your preference, but keep it to yourself.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Judges 16:22-31
More:
Read Psalm 150:1-6 and see the variety of ways we can worship God.
Next:
What’s your favorite worship song? What is your least favorite? How can you humbly submit to those whose music tastes are different from yours?
Gary Shultz on March 14, 2015 at 7:07 am
You are defiantly correct, music is a kicker. I think as you mentioned, sharing is best, respecting each taste is sometimes difficult, but a step towards each other. I do know hearts should be producing a new song. Without new songs the heart is dead. Today’s music comes in many flavors and for different occasions. Hymns of old were not splashed across as wide a spectrum as today’s music. Even though I’m of the older set I am encouraged by God’s Spirit being poured out in younger hearts. We had ours they should be able to express God from their hearts. I can’t wait until God brings us to His choir, now that will be some new sounds.
alli on March 14, 2015 at 7:53 am
so interesting music on both two occasions almost made me miss great opportunities simply because the worship style was so different. I opted to almost leave the church I knew I should joined. God confirmed to me He was aware of my preference and even if your style is not the majority you can still find something to praise God for.
Mike Wittmer on March 15, 2015 at 10:57 am
I think I tend to prefer the style I grew up with. It feels more reverent or godly or whatever. I must remember that this isn’t necessarily so. Even Martin Luther met resistance from the older folks when he wrote “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Anything new is often suspect.