What's with the whole "contemporary church service" craze? I'm young, (30 years old)?

Question

but if I go to my Presbyterian church's "contemporary service" (I had to once because of a flight (I had to get to the airport so I couldn't go to the later, traditional service and OBVIOUSLY wasn't going to skip church the same day I was flying))---- but seriously, standing the whole time, and attempting to sing obscure songs off a PowerPoint presentation made me feel like I hadn't even been to church! And I noticed that nobody's really singing since people don't know the songs! Unlike the really really traditional beautiful hymns.... Are there other 'young' people out there who still really really love the oldies but goodies --- traditional hymns? Why are we so in the minority now???? It makes no sense to me... Are there any other people out there my age that almost go there just to sing those old hymns?

Obviously, I'm sure my taste is sort of influenced by the fact that my beautiful Mother used to take us to church -- until she died when she was 45 (I was 16 and my sisters were 11 and 9) -- and plus I play the piano etc. and have even studied organ.... There's just something so calming and beautiful about those old hymns... I don't cease to be amazed at how so many different and memorable tunes could be written only using about 4 lines of music. I love how when you hear a hymn, even if the tune is unfamiliar, you can tell it's a hymn....... I'm glad I'm not the only one!

The poetry in hymns is often so beautiful too, isn't it -- like that part in "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" in the last verse where it says, "....Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul my life, my all" -- We are so lucky to be God's children!!! God bless you all!

schroeders_piano - while the words you're describing etc. are nice - they are not tried and true and beautifully classic like those awesome hymns ("How Great Thou Art" etc. etc.)

Answer 1

Im young--28--and I agree with you. So the way I dealt with it was I joined the choir. Now I know the songs because I sing them for six hours a week, and I still have to mouth the words sometimes!!!! (How's that for ironic?)

For some unknown reason while we were teens, traditional churches decided that they were aging (median age increasing) because kids were getting bored with the traditional music and didn't want to hear it anymore. I think we both are testifying that this was not entirely true.

I have come to realize that the newer songs generally lack the spiritual depth of the old hymns, because the pipeline for these songs came from the secular recording companies. They signed and promoted artists based on the appeal of their sound, and not on the soundness or depth of their doctrine.

This is the principal reason why I have gone back to school and am studying music (though I've always done that). I want to write deep, meaningful songs that still carry some of that old beauty with a more postmodern feel.....it's quite a challenge, let me tell you.

Thank you for letting me know that I'm not the only one out there who misses the hymns. *tear*

Answer 2

I don't mind some of the Power Point music..cuz now I'm a little more familiar with it cuz our family listens to christian contemporary music but I was raised in a church where the "church" did the singing..there was no choir, no music, just a hymn director. We even had music services where we would get together on Wednesday or Sunday nights and have a song service simply with prayer, a short sermon and the rest was all about singing out of the hymnal..members getting to pick their favorites. The old days are gone in most major cities as worship gets more and more watered down, thin on the bible and thick on then entertainment this pasttime of praising God will be reserved only in the smaller more conservative congregations...Now you can walk into just about any non-denominational mid to large sized "church", put your kids in "day care", order a latte or mocha, sit through a half hour sermon that teaches ya how to get along better with your co-workers, spouse and neighbors and be a friend to yourself, have a better attitude and improve your finances and then have some nice graphics displayed while unfamiliar lyrics are drawn out in place of true worship music. Maybe if your lucky there might be a communion ceremony or a baptism. This is why though I am a Bible believing, Jesus loving, God worshiping sabbatarian..my family doesn't attend church. Finding one that teaches the Word of God and not some hot best seller fiction novel is next to impossible. Forget that it will ever go back to traditional worship styles. I remember when Church used to take all day...not it seems hardly worth the effort to get up and go...sad but true. Love in Christ, ~J~ <><

Answer 3

I used to attend a traditional church. I even played piano/organ for services. I now attend a church that is contemporary. We do have some hymns in our service. For my congregation, it is the reverse of your situation. When we sing contemporary stuff, the whole congregation is singing. They know the words and songs like the back of their hands. When we sing hymns, usually the only people singing is the praise team. I like some of the old hymns, but there is so many great praise and worship songs. You mentioned "When I Survey the Wonderful Cross." We do that song in our services, but we know it as "The Wonderful Cross." It's a contemporary version that has a very neat chorus added to the verses. Sorry for the long winded answer. I guess it just depends on each individual. I don't see myself attending a traditional church again. One person answered that the contemporary music doesn't have the depth of the traditional hymns. I must respectfully disagree. There are several contemporary songs that the depth of the lyrics are amazing. Songs such as "Now", "How Great is Our God", "You Are Great", Holy is the Lord (As We Bow)", "You Are My King" are some examples.

Answer 4

I am sure you are not alone in your feelings but it is true that many churches are providing some sort of youth or contemporary service, however this is done to dissuade the young people from seeking the secular aspect of the sound of music; "give them what they want". The idea is to have "something" like the world has to offer so as to keep up the numbers. I am a pentacoustal and yes we do have contempservices and I love music---traditional and contemp. music but I stop at rock, country, or rap christian music because these sound just like the world. I am unsure if you can listen to Steve Camp, Ray Bolts, Marcus Witt (English or Spanish), Steven Curtis Chapman, the Imperials, and other christian singers (just keep to music in the late 80 and early 90s the rest or more modern music is out there. Try music like scripture music, it has a modern sound but the words are pulled from the Bible. I hope you do not give up on contemp. services and just give it a try. hey try listening to the artist I mention (try going to a Christian Book store and enter their listening booth to try them out) you can always rest on those old Gospel songs--hymns.

Answer 5

I am truly sorry for your current situation. In my own experience one year ago my dad was about a week away from death if he wouldn't have gotten a lung transplant, my sister has thyroid cancer (not deadly) and now my aunt may have heart problems. So I am in a similar boat. As to answer your question as to why God would do this. God gave us free will, free will is the ability to do whatever we want on this earth without any consequences from God now. When we get to heaven God will judge us there and we will be allowed into heaven or sent to the eternal depths of hell. Now, because God gave us free will he does not intervene in our lives, yes we can pray and it may come true but that is because we asked and God agreed so that is a different case. All I can say is pray that the cancer goes away, and do not lose your faith because of this. Also, some people have lived past what doctors said like in a commercial 'we do not have a expiration date on the bottom of our foot.' All I can is sorry about your situation and if you have any deeper questions about God consult a local priest or pastor.

Answer 6

Churches are becoming more secular so as not to leave anyone out. I prefer the traditional hymns, although I do like the contemporary christian music too. My church sings the traditional hymns.

Answer 7

I'm not as young as you, but I do like some of the old songs.
But that's not to say that some of the new aren't good, too.
I suppose that you have to try to stay a little current.
After all, we're not singing David's psalms are we?
I sometimes had problems with some of the old songs wording, and some could be just plain monotonous!

Answer 8

There's room for both.

I've been in contemporary services where the Holy Spirit was working it, brother. Seriously.

I've been in churches belting out the classics on a magnificent pipe organ. I can't get enough.

Answer 9

Even the news (CNN?) is covering the CC "craze" now. But it's been around for a long time. Different strokes, I guess.