Christians, what type of music do you prefer in worship?

Question

My church is interested in attracting more younger families. Our worship service is very traditional and only has very traditional organ and choir music. So, I am particularly interested in what Christians younger than age 40 prefer. Do you like traditional music? Do you like more contemporary music? A combination of both? Let me know what type you prefer and what age category you are in. (Example: 20's, 30's, etc.)

BTW, I my screen name is the mascot of Wake Forest University where I attend divinity school. If I went to Duke University Divinity, my screen name could be Blue Devil.

One reason I am asking this question is because we are probably going to have to start a new service soon, because the existing one is full. So, the church is at least moderately healthy.

Answer 1

Demo = just past 50:

The church we attended last, (recently moved), has a band. Bass, guitar, drummer, keyboard and lead on keyboard. Soundboard, lighting, multimedia - It was great. Not only did it draw in the younger set but they were involved as well. One caveat however. Insure they have the requisite talent. I've attended services when the "musicians" had no business being on stage. Bless their heart but it was distracting, bordering on painful.

The church we attend here has a wonderful pipe organ. I LOVE pipe organ. When I was courting my wife her church had a pipe organ as well. After the benediction the organist would break into the classics. I was usually the last to leave. :>

There's a place for both.

Answer 2

This is wonderful that your church is wanting to bring in younger people. But I would ask that you pray about this message I am posting and see if there is any merit to what I am about to share.

If you are interested in attracting younger families, the music is only one of the issues you need to explore. I would also recommend talking to some of the people who have left the church (especially where the kids have left the church and the parents still attend) and find out what they really needed from the church that wasn't offered. You might find out that the music is only one symptom of the issues. For instance, are there people in the church they are not comfortable worshipping with? Are the topics discussed in the sermon relevant to them and something they can easily apply to their life? What about outreaches in your church? Does your church have activities such as small groups where people can connect with others with similar interests? If you are interested in more about this concept, you might want to check out Willow Creek, which has a website at www.willowcreek.com , or another church is Saddleback Church www.saddleback.com , both of these churches were founded on the concept that there are a lot of people who have left churches who want a real relationship with God and these churches have found that the key to growing is about meeting the needs directly where the people are at.

In regards to the music, I prefer a contemporary Christian worship. But it's not just about the type of instruments, but the content of the worship music. For instance, I love Praise and Worship music. For me, I just cannot relate to church hymns as it's difficult to concentrate on worshipping God when you are focusing on both the notes and the lyrics written on two separate lines. Instead I prefer music where I can simply concentrate on worshipping God and loving him for who he really is.

By the way, I'm in my early 40s. My daughter hates church but loves the one we currently attend. The preacher preaches in blue jeans, uses the Bible for his sermons, and they do not take an offering during the service and the music is contemporary (guitars, overheads, drums, etc) but what she likes is that the sermons are very practical and simple concepts with something to reflect on that can be used immediately. The church has about 500 people every week and has doubled in attendance each year. Six years ago the church only had 80 people.

But the pastor wanted a church where people could come in and feel part of the community. The church has kids programs that are active (the kids this summer go to Camp Metamorphosis and crawl through a "bug hole" to their service). The teens have a lot of activities as well, and the church is looking at ways to connect with people where they are at, problems and all.

Sorry for the long post, but I hope this information helps!

Blessings!

Answer 3

I am 42 and my church uses a mixture of contemporary praise and worship, and traditional hymns.
I myself like the contemporary music and in the last four years since we started a praise band we have grown tremendously.
We now have younger people with families coming which opens many doors in which to minister.

Answer 4

I am over 40, but please don't leave that age group out of your study, because I have grown children and children still at home in their early and mid teens.

I have grown to love some of their music, Creed for example, some Casting Crowns, but not much of that one.
Mercy me is awsome.

I love the old stuff also, but not the super slow playing of them. I wouldnt want to lose them in the mix, but a mixture of newer songs is good also.

Our church does not have the new age screens of powerpoint, but if you have access to it, you could do what I have seen some churches do, the music can be recorded and the words on the screen to the newer stuff. Just for a bit of mix.

Answer 5

I am 25, my husband is 30. I only like traditional he likes both but likes contemp more because he listens to christian radio stations. i don't, but I grew up in small churches and am more traditional because of it. we now go to separate churches even though we share the same religion just not the same denomination. i can't stand his church because i get nothing out of it, i feel it's all about money and you are just a number there. plus they sing contemporary songs for 45 mins straight before they get around to anything else. if i wanted to go to a concert i would. i understand that people worship in different ways but three songs is plenty enough.

Answer 6

i am in my 30's our church is growing - rcently planted 5 new churches which are doing well -
our demographics - large youth group - very active and visible - newborn thru 8th grade classes - large amy young families, fair am 40-60yolds few abe 70 - church 30 years old

contemp christian favorites
i will b still know u r God
who am i
days of Elijah
come now is the time 2 worship\my redeemer lives
every move i make
god of wonders
he knows my name (awesome!!!!)
let it rise
lord i lift ur name on high
trading my sorrows
grace alone
i can only imaine open the eyes of my heart
thats why we praise him (a fav of mine!)
i will celebrate


also we play you r my all in all
our father
amazing grace
old rugged cross
blest b the lord go almighty
more than music, consider who sees ur church as what. do an informal poll in the area. ask what needs people have, and inquire how the need r or rnt being met. to attract more young families, may i suggest evaluating your children's and youth ministry. are these both vital to u, or r they add-ons. what small groups do you have?

our church has teen and up basketball/Bible study on Sunday afternoons. monday is men small groups - based now on john eldridge's wild at heart series - excellent -and teen/ young women Bible study. tuesday am and pm is ladies Bible study ( older ladies, 40 and up mostly attend and also singles study/activities. wed is mid week service with nursery thru teen care provided as appropriate with lesson plans and activites scheduled, thurs is volleyball, sat services again.
i have foun many valuable evaluation tools available online -
i believe that by meeting the needs of members and future members, they will keep coming bsck and contributing to the family of God. consider carnivals, door to doo outreach with copies of bulliten, ads in local papers, volnteer 2 b pastors on call at local hospitals, tc etc. consider mission statement of ur church and then prayerfully consider wher eGod is leading you to make changes and grow.

Answer 7

hmmm, looking at yahoo to plan your church, decon? You know the bible says we are to seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.
I like Christian Emo, but the crowd a little more mature than mine seems to like Micheal W Smith and Delerious and contemporary stuff like that. Peeople need to dance! You can't dance to an organ, no matter how big it is

Answer 8

Johan Sebastian Bach

Answer 9

I am in my twenties I love Jars of clay,mercy me and tobymac. Anything to clap too and feel the music in your soul. I don't care for the traditional it's as if the old people are just going thru the motions not feeling the presents of the lord with the older style music. Although my 2yr old loves Jesus set me free. lol

Answer 10

Me=16. Wow. Feel young here. Anyway First and formost I say ask God. If thats what he wants you to do, get the youth, then do it. But if its not what he wants. Dont. Personally(and this is only my opinoion) I like more modern christian music. Example, DC Talk(Jesus Freak. My favorite :-D) Skillet. Disciple. Grits. Pillar. tobyMac. Jeremy Camp. Kutless. etc etc. I know that it helps with my church(called "Bringing the Fire Youth Ministries") , which is an exclusive youth church. adults can come to but as it says in our motto its "For the youth, by the youth, and through the youth". If you would like to contact my pastor for more information about whats going on here and would like to ask him what he thinks go to www.bringingthefire.org , and go to the feedback and say what you want and leave information(your email address) for him to contact you at. Feel free to browse through the site and get more information on it if you wish. if you wish to contact me my email is [e-mail]. feel free to contact me any time. Hope this was helpful so be safe, God Bless, and remember you can do all things through Christ