Jim - I grew up a child of the 60s-70s rock era. Ps 40:3 says, "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."
God put a new song in my mouth and heart when I was saved on June 15, 1981. I have been a follower of Christ going on 42 years now.
Many of my family members and old friends saw the change. It was instantaneous. My desires changed, my language changed, but my friends "vanished".
If I close my eyes and listen to the progressive CCM, it takes me right back where I was before.. One of the lies of satan is that one can become a follower of Christ and still enjoy everything as before. No change necessary. CCM facilitates that thought.
The hymns are full of Christian doctrine. A new Christian can grow tremendously by singing and studying them. They focus on the person and work of Christ, the hope of eternity, and glory of God.
It doe not have to be "funeral music". We sing hymns and God honoring more recent songs with pianos, an organ, violins, flutes, and trumpet accompaniment. I find it absolutely thrilling and uplifting.
Thank you for taking the time to write this piece.
I had been attending and was a member of a very large church in the Fort Worth area since 2012, one with multiple campuses and I attended one of the smaller ones, relatively speaking. By the summer into fall of 2020 when that church still refused to meet in person, and only online, I had my reason to leave. But in my years there, the one thing that I grew to despise was the time of "worship" music. It was timed to the very second, repetitive to the point of boredom, and the lights were off in the congregation, while the spotlights shone brightly on the performers, uh, worship song leaders. It reached a point that I simply made sure I didn't arrive till I knew it would be finished. When I left there, I began visiting similar churches in my area, and lo and behold, every one of them was doing almost the exact same thing. I gave up for a while, then God led me to the wonderful startup church I'm involved in now, and it is soooo very different in what goes on. It's about worship, not showtime.
Jeff, thank you for your thoughtful comment. Sadly, your experience is not out of the ordinary. There are a lot of so-called worship leaders who are trying to use the church stage as a stepping stone to a music career.
One of the main things I've always liked about church is the music! The modern "Worship Hymns" took some getting used to but I liked a lot of that, too. While I'm glad to know about this, it is very disheartening!! I loved the music most of all and was in choir and ran the projector that put the song and hymn lyrics on screens for people to sing along. I used a hymn to teach myself how to play piano many, many years ago. I can do without the modern stuff as long as I have a Baptist Hymnal. Now I know why it all sounds alike, too. It's a bummer, but thanks, Jim!
I know of too many churches to which Satan uses this back door approach to tearing down the faith. Unfortunately, despite warning after warning, the music persists. That's on the leaders. Sad!
Strange things are happening. Ten years ago I visited a dozen mountain-area churches, hoping to hear a string quartet or a rousing congregation. Instead, I was treated to empty pews and downcast boomers. One member even leaned forward from her seat and confided in my wife that this was a "dying church". The preacher begged for money to start a "contemporary" service.
A month ago I drove up to Michigan and much to my surprise, half the Ohio stations were broadcasting Christian sermons. I've never heard anything like it (outside of the South 70 years ago).
Interesting article. Christian music platforms are offering an alternative to the popular music content that is often degrading and filled with negative influences. People are seeking more uplifting, spiritually affirming, and healing content. There is a legitimate role for healing music, as healing sound and frequencies have been documented to provide relief from certain conditions. As with anything we consume, discernment is essential. If there is no profit incentive behind creating these alternatives, our society and our children won’t have a viable platform to turn to. I hope the more negative aspects are weeded out and the positives remain and grow.
Jim - I grew up a child of the 60s-70s rock era. Ps 40:3 says, "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."
God put a new song in my mouth and heart when I was saved on June 15, 1981. I have been a follower of Christ going on 42 years now.
Many of my family members and old friends saw the change. It was instantaneous. My desires changed, my language changed, but my friends "vanished".
If I close my eyes and listen to the progressive CCM, it takes me right back where I was before.. One of the lies of satan is that one can become a follower of Christ and still enjoy everything as before. No change necessary. CCM facilitates that thought.
The hymns are full of Christian doctrine. A new Christian can grow tremendously by singing and studying them. They focus on the person and work of Christ, the hope of eternity, and glory of God.
It doe not have to be "funeral music". We sing hymns and God honoring more recent songs with pianos, an organ, violins, flutes, and trumpet accompaniment. I find it absolutely thrilling and uplifting.
Thank you for taking the time to write this piece.
By the way, when you get time, you can read my memoir about how this wild and wayward child was changed by the grace of God: https://mytalkingpen.substack.com/p/coming-home-a-memoir .
I had been attending and was a member of a very large church in the Fort Worth area since 2012, one with multiple campuses and I attended one of the smaller ones, relatively speaking. By the summer into fall of 2020 when that church still refused to meet in person, and only online, I had my reason to leave. But in my years there, the one thing that I grew to despise was the time of "worship" music. It was timed to the very second, repetitive to the point of boredom, and the lights were off in the congregation, while the spotlights shone brightly on the performers, uh, worship song leaders. It reached a point that I simply made sure I didn't arrive till I knew it would be finished. When I left there, I began visiting similar churches in my area, and lo and behold, every one of them was doing almost the exact same thing. I gave up for a while, then God led me to the wonderful startup church I'm involved in now, and it is soooo very different in what goes on. It's about worship, not showtime.
Jeff, thank you for your thoughtful comment. Sadly, your experience is not out of the ordinary. There are a lot of so-called worship leaders who are trying to use the church stage as a stepping stone to a music career.
I am shocked, but enlightened. Thanks.
A packed message; thanks.
One of the main things I've always liked about church is the music! The modern "Worship Hymns" took some getting used to but I liked a lot of that, too. While I'm glad to know about this, it is very disheartening!! I loved the music most of all and was in choir and ran the projector that put the song and hymn lyrics on screens for people to sing along. I used a hymn to teach myself how to play piano many, many years ago. I can do without the modern stuff as long as I have a Baptist Hymnal. Now I know why it all sounds alike, too. It's a bummer, but thanks, Jim!
Thank you for your comment... Next week's post will be about an alternative!
I know of too many churches to which Satan uses this back door approach to tearing down the faith. Unfortunately, despite warning after warning, the music persists. That's on the leaders. Sad!
I hear you... it is also profoundly disappointing at the same time...
Strange things are happening. Ten years ago I visited a dozen mountain-area churches, hoping to hear a string quartet or a rousing congregation. Instead, I was treated to empty pews and downcast boomers. One member even leaned forward from her seat and confided in my wife that this was a "dying church". The preacher begged for money to start a "contemporary" service.
A month ago I drove up to Michigan and much to my surprise, half the Ohio stations were broadcasting Christian sermons. I've never heard anything like it (outside of the South 70 years ago).
Interesting article. Christian music platforms are offering an alternative to the popular music content that is often degrading and filled with negative influences. People are seeking more uplifting, spiritually affirming, and healing content. There is a legitimate role for healing music, as healing sound and frequencies have been documented to provide relief from certain conditions. As with anything we consume, discernment is essential. If there is no profit incentive behind creating these alternatives, our society and our children won’t have a viable platform to turn to. I hope the more negative aspects are weeded out and the positives remain and grow.