I need good arguments for switching from old fashioned tradiional church music to modern music. Help Please.?

Question

I need arguments in favor of changing from tradional music and instruments to modern instruments and music. I DON'T NEED THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST CHANGING. I am on the new worship committe at my church and we are going to make a major change. The whole committee is now 35 or younger (I'm 22) and we want to bring in more young people and families.Thank you for the help!

Answer 1

Protestant church organist here! In my church we have the same problem year after year. You have a BIG advantage in that your worship committee is so young. I'm 30 but our worship committee members are all between 55-85.

My advice is to keep the organ/piano as the main instrument, skip the arguing and convincing, and just do it! However you might want to keep the communion liturgy as is, meaning traditional music.

Start slow with having the choir (if you have one) do a contemporary anthem every week, or at least a brand new hymn/praise song. Then move into replacing any old fashioned chanting you might do (like a Kyrie?) with something more peppy. Make an announcement inviting ppl who play guitar, flute, trombone, etc to bring their instruments to the next choir rehearsal and see what you can get together. Replace the old fashioned Lord's Prayer with a modern sung one, and with the "new words."

One bit of advice... keep the old fogies happy by doing one traditional hymn every week.

Hope this helps! Changing the music is the best way to attract the younger families. Honey, you're not preaching to the choir about that... you're preaching to the choir director :-)

Good luck!!

Answer 2

We have went through this very thing. I would suggest a subtle approach. Start by adding one contemporary song here and there mixed with the traditional. It doesn't have to be one or the other. You may also want to find some of the old hymns that that have been remade to more modern music. Be patient . It takes time. "Lord I lift your name on High" has become one the favorites of our elderly. But I think if we had approached it with an all or nothing attitude than we would have offended a lot of people with out cause. I am praying that God blesses you in your service.

Answer 3

My church is across the street from a retirement home yet there are many younger people there too. So we sing both. I think we should know both anyway, I remember some songs from when I was a kid we still sing and its comforting to sing them because of familiarity and good lyrics. I also love the contemporary music myself. Worship music today is pleasing to all ages. Kids to seniors like it. I think you should do both.

Answer 4

a couple of things come to mind:
1. the psalms did not come with sheet music. the reason is that God wanted them to be sung in revelant ways from culture to culture without losing its truth.
2. the bible commands us to praise God with instruments, clapping of hands, bowing down, raising hands, shouts of joy, etc.
3. God does not have a musical style he has commanded us to worship Him in.

that should get you started, however, a word of caution...
you cannot pour new wine into old wineskin. if you do it will burst and both will be ruined. in other words, make sure that the changed is wanted and welcomed rather than fought for like you are pulling teeth.

Answer 5

Music has changed with most generations. I was given the gift of rhythm with an upbeat tempo. should I not use it to worship? I also have a very hard time getting enthusiastic when I am falling asleep.

JESUS ROCKS

Answer 6

Well, there ya go!
If you want to impact youger people, you need to use music that will impact younger people. Maybe not every song. not all at once. There's lots of room for all music in Church

Answer 7

I can't think of any. Why don't you use the ideas you have? You must have a good reason to be changing. Use that reason. Or.. if you don't have a good reason of your own....Why were you going to change again? To bring in new people? Young people? Trying to make the Sabbath for Man, eh?

Answer 8

The only thing I can think of is that in Psalms it often says sing unto the Lord a NEW song. Not much but I hope it helps.

Answer 9

You might try reminding them of a little church history.

http://www.music-for-church-choirs.com/hymns.html

Here's another link that might interest you.

http://www.mindspring.com/~brucec/wilker.htm