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DISCUSSYour Guide to Contemporary Christian Music
06/19/2008
By Dale Peterson
Thank you for choosing to worship with us today. If you are from a church that uses traditional hymns, you may be confused. Please take a moment to read through this guide to contemporary Christian music.
In our church you will not hear "How Great Thou Art," "Wonderful Grace of Jesus," or "Like a River Glorious." (Generally, hymns that have words like “Thou” are not used. They are too archaic and are normally replaced by words like “awesome” and “miry clay”). Yes, okay, we may do "Amazing Grace" or "Peace Like a River" at some point, but as a general rule we avoid songs with too many different verses or those that can't be played easily on guitar and drums.
If you are new to worship here, you may wish to know the reasons for this. One is that deep theological concepts do not belong in contemporary Christian worship. We frown on songs that change more than one or two words for each verse. For example, our version of "Holy is the Lord" consists of repeating that phrase six times per verse and then changing "Holy" to "Worthy," "Mighty," "Jesus" and finally changing "the" to "my." Isn’t that much simpler to sing and easier to remember? The twin goals here are a) repetition and b) chanting quality. We don’t focus on what we’re singing, but how we’re singing it. The main thing is to get that kind of tingly, "olive oily" feeling. Don't worry if you don't get this right away. It will come as you learn to disengage your intellect. Just free yourself. Immerse yourself. Relax.
Nevertheless, a traditional hymn may sometimes be used. For example, we’re not averse to "Holy, Holy, Holy." You may be tempted to sing this as you would have in your former church, but please note that it is sung here with changes, mainly the fact that we repeat it several times and try to sing as slowly as possible, thereby emphasizing the funereal nature of the verse.
Repetition is very important in contemporary Christian music. We repeat: Repetition is very important in contemporary Christian music. Just because a song may have one verse and one chorus does not mean that you only sing it through once. Old hymns have several verses, each of which introduces a new theological concept, and are meant to be sung once followed by "Amen." This is no longer how it’s done. The correct procedure is to sing the identical verse and chorus at least three times. Often it is preferable to repeat the verse two times initially before moving on to the chorus.
Also the worship leader may want to repeat a verse or chorus found in the middle of the song. This is signaled by “calling an audible." When this occurs, the worship leader will say the first few words of the verse or chorus he will be singing next. Sometimes, due to the similarity of the verses, this may be confusing and the overhead projector may flash several pages of text until the correct one is arrived at. Don't panic, this is normal. Just continue singing as though you know the words and soon either the correct slide will appear or a new chorus will begin.
After the verse and chorus are sung at least three times, it is permissible for the song to end. However, the chorus must first be repeated in its entirety, then the last paragraph, then the last line. When singing the last line it is important to slow down a little and look upward. Raising a hand is permissible and often done at this time. This may take a little getting used to but don't worry, if you just join in, in a short time you won't even notice and soon you will forget that you ever did it any other way.
We are just really glad you chose to share the worship experience with us today. Thank you and we hope to see you again soon.
Thank you and we hope to see you again soon. Thank you. Thank.
I seem to remember something about, "vain repetitions" from the Bible.
Yawn!!Have you ever noticed how dull and boring CCM is??
Kinda reminds me of the episode of King of the Hill:"Reborn to be Wild"!!
Bobby joins a youth group at the Methodist Church,however,the new Youth Pastor is tattooed and leads a Christian Rock Band!!
Hank tells him"You Haven't Christianity Better!!You've Only Made Rock and Roll Worse!!".
CCM is pretty boring, and the sad thing is that I'm hearing this type of musical nothingness begin to creep into mainstream music. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of mainstream music that is boring, but when boring becomes popular, I sit up and take notice. So, I don't know if CCM is boring or if contemporary music in general is getting more boring. What came first?
I think you are just getting older
Perhaps you are right. I am getting older. :)
Obviously you haven't listened to the words!!! For the most part they are directly from scripture. I guess you find scripture booring too!!!
yup it sure is boring, when used out of context and inappropriately.
The word and is in Scripture too. So is the word "just", but not just want to thank you. (raise arms and hands) I liked Kathyrn Coolman) Kuhlman is not in the Bible.
Why is it ok in our christian culture to use sarcasm with each other? When you want a genuine relationship with someone, acting like a dick usually doesn't promote that desired end result. Oh, but I bet the real reason is not relationship but to show how well read and smart you are. Is that really where your affections should lie?
Dear seth,
Sarcasm and satire are not the same thing but they go together like soup and sandwich. Satire is deeper than slapstick stuff. Although
in my humble "French" opinion Jerry lewis was a comic genious...for the french who for the most part are dense. Regarding the music I like the songs where we can sing words like "tarry" even though I think the Holy spirit quit inspiring christian music in 1767, I like the new songs like the great german polka rendition of john 3:16 "leben habe". Check it out at
http://godrocketsquad.com/
Seth- nice job of summing it up for those of us who are sick to death of the Pharisees among us who think that "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" are only found in the Trinity Hymnal. The chief complaint is about the hated repetition. These same people, tho, get all giddy over works like the Hallelujah Chorus- beautiful, no doubt, but quite the repetitive little ditty. And, what about the creatures around the throne in Revelation? They sing the same thing over, and over, and over, and over....
And, "worship choruses" have come a long way in the last 20 years. Those who still make the tired jokes about "7/11 songs" and the like have obviously never listended to Crowder or Tomlin, and speak out of profound ignorance.
Pigseye- you don't think the Holy Spirit has inspired Christian music since 1767? You're a heretic.
Jason- to say of contemporary Pharisees, "I bet the real reason is not relationship but to show how well read and smart you are." is not sarcasm, but the cold, hard truth. As a recovering Orthodox Presbyterian, I can tell you that the desired objective of most communication by PEOPLE WHO WOULD DARE TO JUDGE THE VALIDITY OF SOMEONE ELSE'S WORSHIP is not to let people know how much you care, but to let them know how much you KNOW.
He there bud, you need to read some of my books.
Right on, Seth!
oh please...
Seth,
While I agree with your general comment,
"Oh, but I bet the real reason is not relationship but to show how well read and smart you are.", sounds pretty sarcastic. Is that a "fight fire with fire" kind of thing?
Jason
You will find that through the ages the Christian was the well read and heavy thinker of his time. The reason Christianity has survived is because it out thinks the rest of the world. You demonstrate this in your poorly reasoned, and somewhat frightened, response to a piece which requires thought to understand.
and do not forget, that is of utmost importance to deviate from the norm of sitting quitely, hands in laps, to sing, but to raise your hands into the air, in the quality and manner of fictitious zombies; to effectively join this contemporary christian music-movement.
I miss country western! Especially deep songs like "Jesus, Drop Kick Me through the Goalposts of Life"
Well I had a whole post. but it got ereased so I guess it was not meant to be.
How many times can one say "Holy are you Lord God almighty...Worthy is the Lamb!" before it becomes vain repitition?
Three (3) exactly.
How many times can one say "Holy are you Lord God almighty...Worthy is the Lamb!" before it becomes vain repitition?
It is now about the reptiion in this case. It is about the profound quality of the music in settings by composers like Mozart, Bach, Faure, Beethoven, Brahms, Vivaldi, Saint-Saens, Haydn, Handel, and on and on and on. Judged by the test of time, nothing about CCM will be around in 50 years. Frtunately I'll be with the Lord long before then! I give you younger folks greetings to the above composers.
so, the question is 'is the repitition vain?'
Isaiah speaks of angels that do nothing, night and day, but proclaim "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His Glory"
Obviously that is repitition, but vain? no.
Personally, I would be concerned with those learning their theology from hymns, old or new ...
I disagree.
Time for a few hums of "Fount of every blessing", hey, Chuck?
Ok.
Do you think Wesley got his theology from hymns?
No. But, he wrote thousands that taught millions.
True, true.
On this point: Rich Mullins speaks about his love for and dependence on traditional hymns for inspiration and instruction. See the book, An Arrow Pointing Toward Heaven (Broadman and Holman, 2000) that includes several of Mullins' comments on hymns. Yes, many of us are introduced to deep theological thinking through the poetics of hymns.
So he meant for people to learn from his hymns rather than actually reading the bible for themselves. Gotcha.
When John Wesley was preaching out in the fields and to the coal miners, he was preaching to people who could not read. They knew the popular tavern songs and the Wesleys took those tunes and wrote the words of a Christian message to them.
You take Theology add a drinking song and make a Hymn.
A fantastic way to bring revival to illiterate people.
Does it have to be an either/or?
AMEN
Speaking of sarcasm…
So it's your opinion that singing in Church should say nothing about who God is (definition of theology)? We also shouldn't be using commentaries for Bible study or write Christian books that explain how to know God or how to grow as a Christian, yes? In fact, there probably shouldn't even be any preaching––just send everyone home and tell them to read the Bible. Gotcha.
Of course, the Bible is the fountainhead of all theology and 'everything we need for life and godliness', but there is nothing unbiblical about using all of the means God has provided to the Church for reinforcing those things, including music that teaches–particularly as we are commanded by Scripture to do all these things.
I enjoy singing both myself, but I certainly do tire of the 'Jesus is my boyfriend' variety of 'worship' songs that say much more about my own feelings than they do about the God we are supposed to be worshiping, as is playfully pointed out in this typical Door work of satire. It seems we try to find the 'power' in the way we sing, the energy of the musicians, and all the other rev-up-the-emotion tools, instead of finding it in the actual objective content of the gospel and the character of the Holy One in whose name we gather.
Satire can be a helpful tool when it's pointed at our weaknesses as a Church, which is where The Door usually aims and hits.
Ah, yes. Can't believe it took so many posts before we got to the Emotion issue. (I know. Just being "playful.")
Here's a little project for you Bible scholars- find a single example of music used in corporate worship in the Bible that wasn't loud, energetic, and filled w/ (groan) EMOTION!
And they used crazy, wordly stuff like horns and cymbals to "rev them up." Can't believe they didn't just rely on the objective truth of the Torah.
Your comments catch the true idea behind this article.
We are exhorted by the Bible to encourage each other with songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. If you've ever tried to encourage someone, repeating vague and nebulous concepts to them is not very helpful.
As an aside, the best way to fight truth is to take something that is mostly truth and introduce a little error into it. Taking the focus of church music away from honoring God by proclaiming Biblical doctrine in song and putting it on developing some kind of emotional "nirvana" while singing (why else have the endless repetition?) is introducing a little error into the purpose of worship, which when combined with other innocuous errors can become the basis for a set of false doctrine (the Emerging Church??).
Wesley, Luther and all those great hymn writers from years ago, wrote hymns for the masses to TEACH theology because the written Word was not that available and many could not read. The Door in trying to be cute about modern worship being trite by repeating choruses over and over are not familiar with the worship being written by Sovereign Grace Ministries or much coming from Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin or many others from the new hymn writers in Europe. "This is the day that the Lord hath made" was sung 30 years ago, but the Door thinks that is today's standard.
Door - do some homework. Satire is only funny if based on truth.
If you think you learn theology from only reading the Bible you're kidding yourself. Do you ever listen to sermons? Do you ever read another book besides the Bible? Do you ever engage in conversation with other thoughtful believers?
I assume you prefer people to sing empty vapid songs instead.
1 AND can it be, that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour's blood`?
Died he for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2 'Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine!
'Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel-minds inquire no more.
3 He left his Father's throne above,
(So free, so infinite his grace!)
Emptied himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race:
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me!
4 Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
5 No condemnation now I dread,
Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
My all-time favorite hymn, BJ. Wonderful.
I'm sorry Mr. Wesley we can't use your song in our worship service this week. To tell you the truth it's kind of a buzz kill. I mean gettin buzzed in the Spirit is what we are all about. You're just a little to wordy. If the lyrics won't fit on the church sign then we can't use them.
We welcome you to submit another song when you've had more experience in song writing. You shouldn't begin a song with the word And. May I suggest an online course I took in order to become the worship leader in our church. "How to have them raising their hands and drying their tears in 3 easy lessons." The second phase of the teaching is great also, "8 Steps to Creating Altar Traffic". I'm sure you will master worship song writing in no time.
I love it!
God forgive you for your pride. God forgive you for appointing yourself the Holy Spirit, and deeming yourself worthy to critique the sincere worship of your fellow believers.
Since music is subjective, like art, dance, and many other arts, it would be fair to say that there is generally a spirit of trying to achieve the best in bring glory to God. That is why practicing for three months to do the Brahms Requiem is not the same as sing one word 50 times on the spur of the moment. I would just like on quitar player to learn how to play the giant pipe organ with full orchestra and choir, in a huge cathedral, that is 1000 years old, with violins and other intruments worth millions of dollars, played by God loving Christians, and then write a book about the difference between that and CCM. There is no humbler feeling than to have a musical gift like that, as you improvise a 10 minute postlude, recognizing that the gifts came from God in the first place. Not looking down on CCM, just wanting the great heritage of hymnology and other great music not to be lost in a cultural fad. PS I did graduate from Fuller Seminary, with an actual degree! Not looking down on CCM, not looking down, not.
I tried to play this one, but it was no fun kicking off my distortion pedal so I decided not to. After all, if someone heard the lyrics, their heart might actually be pierced and we can't have that!
Yeah!Wow!
You are my all in all......
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