I just learned that my church is moving to eliminate the choir and the organ. This is terrible!!!?

Question

They are going to replace it with something called a "praise band" and "worship team". The organ needs about $200,000 in repairs and I offered to help them raise the money. They told me that this is a waste of money, people today prefer guitars, and that anyway they would need to raise money for a new sound system!!! What is wrong with these people?

How do I convince them that the organ and choir are artistically superior to this modern nonsense? How do I convince them that no serious person could want to hear a crass electric guiar instead of the organ and choir? I need help.

What is wrong with this younger generation? They have no taste in fine music! I am heartbroken.

Answer 1

Unfortunately this is the wave of the future.

Edit: If your pastor has enough sense to understand the transition, and he is a mature Christian, then it may not be so bad. Worship leaders "MUST" be """controlled""" by the pastor of the church. Some ( very few ) are capable of leading worship without direction from the pastor. I have seen only 1 in the last 20 years. Far too many worship leaders are way too deep into music and not into God. It is God who draws "His" people to the church through worship (music). Unfortunately Satan does the same thing. If your church is dumping traditional music for 'hip-hop', or a Charismatic dance band, then your church is doomed. After all, we worship God-not music.
Talk to your pastor about this-He is the one God will ultimately hold responsible. You may be the one God uses to keep this on the "right" track. Anyway, the target should be that senior pastor, not the music leader.
The bottom line here is--- it is not the instrument that matters-but the person working the instrument. Who is in charge?

Answer 2

Well, it can't all be blamed on the younger generation, although I agree with your opinion of praise bands vs. traditional choir and organ. You can't convince your church otherwise, I'm afraid, because it's just the way things are right now. I get so frustrated with people saying that the form of music isn't what's important in worship, but that you are fed through the Word and that you build your relationship with God. I agree with that, but it seems that that argument only works one way--if I object to praise and worship music, I'm focusing on the wrong thing in worship and I should let it go. However, if a church would do away with praise and worship in favor of the traditional music, would the contemporary music people accept it and let it go? People seem to assume that one can't truly be worshipful with traditional music and if you can't be spiritual with contemporary music, then you're shallow. But in most cases I also feel that the traditional music puts me in a more worshipful mood than P&W music.
Sorry I don't have a better answer, but that's just my vent and opinion.

Answer 3

Do you go to church for the music? Is this a social event for you where you are going to a concert? You may be disappointed that they are moving to another form of music but what kind of church would commit $200,000 to music when there are so many ways that money could be used to do good work with those in need. Oh yeah, I am sure that there are people in your church in need. You know whatever music was available during Christ's time on earth was not an organ, it would have been handheld instruments. The introduction of organ based songs into the church is just another man made wrinkle that people have decided is all about God when it is really just something people like to hear, to maybe be a distraction from the more serious context of a church service. Whatever music tradition you feel involves the use of this instrument is very secular and comes from the European influence on a church service. You may feel good to hear the music but its really a church service and not a show.

Answer 4

I agree, but I doubt there's much you can do. They want to appeal to the younger churchgoers, and today's youth in general don't enjoy classical church music, they think it's boring. You can try to point out how the "praise band" and "worship team" will really sound in the church (if it's accoustically tuned, it's going to sound terrible with an electric guitar, and you know it haha), and have them talk to the singers in the choir and find out if they would even be willing to be on the "worship team". There's a possibility that they won't. I know I wouldn't haha I'd get the hell outta there! Best of luck

Answer 5

Here is what you have to understand, as I assume you are not "young"(not that I am, just your last sentance implies you are a little older).

Churches have a great concern on their hands. People of GenX and younger are turning to different religions other than christianity, or no religion at all, in high numbers. To get these young people interested in church, they have to do something. If not, they will be losing "possible members" in the future. Basically it is marketing/ politics. You, and many people in your generation, are already believers/ members. in other words, they already "have you". But, given the fact young people are not interested in choirs, organ music, and traditional hyms, they have to do something to get them to the church. This is one way to do it.

It almost like a political campaign. Let's put it this way. In 2004, GW Bush didn't really campaign in Texas at all. Why? He already had this state one, so why waste the time an money to campaign here. He focused his efforts in those "battleground states".

The church is no different. People in older generations are already believers, or they're not. Nothing the church does is likely going to sway them either way. Where the "church" is losing the battle is in the younger generations. This is their way of marketing to them in hopes of increasing their numbers in this demographic.

Answer 6

Hey Herb-
Maybe you need to rethink the place you worship. While many 'churches' are going the way of the rock band many are not. If there is this change--what else are they changing?? The theology of the leadership may have been adjusting quietly for years. Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. See I Cor 1:28 in the KJV...the base things.... used that at a 'discussion' about adding a base guitar to our service.
If your church is going for 'sound' and 'feeling' then they are straying from the inside out.

Answer 7

I love all types of music, from rock to classical, to gospel. In my church, we do everything. We have an organ, along with a band, along with a praise team, along with 5 types of choir. We have two adults’ choirs, one youth, one children, and one men. The adults, youths and children choirs sing both hymnals and modern songs. Our men's choir sings a cappella hymnals.

But no matter what song or what choir or what instrument is being played, our focus is God. There are services where there are no instruments, no choirs, only our voices singing to our God. Maybe that should your focus.

And may I suggest that no matter what genre of music your church chooses, that you make sure the people singing, or playing, are living a life that is pleasing to God. That they are true believers and can back up their praise with their lifestyles, because that is what God will find pleasing. And if God is pleased, He will make your church His dwelling place.

Answer 8

I understand that you prefer this type of worship, but are you losing people in your church attendance. I'm not talking about making your church the popular place to worship, but is your church meeting the needs of the people?

I attended a church with praise and worship and they finally reached a compromise. They still use praise and worship, but also add some hymns from time to time. Personally, I can't stand hymnals because I have to focus on the notes and words and so I'm merely singing the words. I prefer praise and worship because it allows me to focus on my heavenly father. But that is just my own opinion.

Answer 9

Make sure the choir has an ear for that kind of music.

Answer 10

Give them props for thinking ahead for future generations, but scold them for using such language abortions as "worship team"....that is the true travesty here. Instead of just saying "kids hate choirs, and love rock music", they make up half-truths to justify things. For shame.