Has anyone gone to church and felt like you went to a free rock concert?

Question

I am not degrading using electric guitars, drums, etc... if they are being used for the right reasons. However, lately, it seems like the whole point of the "worshipping" portion of the service is to see how good the music leader can sing and not sing to glorify God. Have you ever walked out of a church or felt like walking out of a church because of this? If you are a Christian, how do you feel when people are making a party out of what happened to Jesus on Calvary?

@ Scott

My question has nothing to do with the type of music being played. My question was would you leave a church when the music leader on the stage acts like he's trying to audition for American Idol rather than worship the Lord. Initially I said I have no problem with electric guitars, drums, etc... as long as they are being used in the right context. The same goes for a pipe organ or a piano. Is the music director of the choir more interested in having the choir "sound good" or is he directing people who are worshiping the Lord. Because God doesn't care if you are a soprano, alto, bass, tenor, or any thing else. He wants you heart to be in the right place. With this added comment, now try to answer my question.

Answer 1

Yes I have. I appreciate you taking your block off of me. I think you misunderstood me. My name is not meant to be derogatory. I simply believe that my hands are responsible for Jesus' death, and so are yours. We are the ones who killed Jesus.

Anywho...this is most interesting. It seems like even church is displaying wrong actions. The reason is simple. They are people too and they sin just like we do. We cannot condemn even them because what do you do? Do you lie, cheat, not follow you mom's directions, cuss, smoke cigarettes, break the law, etc.? You are no better or worse than them. We are all sinners because the Bible says that all have fallen short of the kingdom of Heaven. It is only because Jesus died for us that we may be freed. And actually is there a wrong way to react to Jesus' death? I do not celebrate his death. I celebrate the fact that he rose again and offered me everlasting life. If he's given that to me why should I sit around and mope about him dying? He is alive and well, the proof is he's living in me and that counts for something. So I will continue to celebrate, not mope, about what happened on Calvary. Not because of his death, but because of his life before and after the fact. Honestly, who cares about death? Death means nothing at all but a passage to the after life. That would be like me being in my bedroom and I need to get to the kitchen. Before I get to the kitchen I must walk in the hallway. Should I sit in the hallway and mope about not having any food or cry about the fact I'm no longer in my room? No. If I walk through the hallway I'll get to the kitchen. In the same way, don't cry about his death for it was merely a hallway to everlasting life. So don't be quiet about it, shout it from the top of your lungs. Everyone needs to hear it. This gives me an idea for a question so look for it if you can.

Answer 2

You're asking a loaded question. You don't really want an answer... you want to express your frustration. Your final question is the proof of this.

I am a pastor (not the worship pastor) and I play (alternately) electric guitar, bass and sometimes drums for the worship team at my church. I've heard lots of people use the same "question" you're posing to incite frustration in others. And I think you could better use your time reviewing some of the interesting things the Bible has to say about stirring up dissensions and rivalry (Pro 6:14, Rom 13:13, Galatians 5:20).

Without question, there are those who misuse modern worship music. However, there are just as many who misuse traditional worship music. The issue is not the style of worship - it is the view of worship held by the worship leader and church. What is YOUR view of worship?

Answer 3

The main problem is that most people have forgotten what the worship service is supposed to be about. We are there to worship God not ourselves or "the band". The use of instruments in the worship service is a fairly new idea (a few hundred years old). There is no biblical support for the use and the addition of instruments to the worship service. The New Testament church did not use instruments and most of the denominational founders (Luther, etc) originally condemned the use.

However, today's society is more interested in entertainment than true, spiritual worship.

The musical instrument has NO place in the worship service. It is unscriptural and we are warned not to add or remove anything from the scriptures.

Answer 4

It is completely dependent upon you having your heart in the right place. If your focus is upon God, then you won't be distracted by what kind of instrument is being played or how loud. Instead, you will meditate on God as you should.

Remember, worship has changed over the years as society has changed. Young people today are not motivated to worship by having to listen to a Barry Manilow type worship leader. They are reached through their own style of music and worship. If you go to a church that does not do something that bothers someone, then your church is not reaching out and is in danger of becoming a stagnate country club.

Check your heart condition. Are you generally a complainer? If so, ask God to deal with that.


Try closing your eyes.

People who "church-hop" get a reputation that follows them wherever they go. The next church will have something else that bothers you and the one after that too. I'm telling you, the problem is not the church. And it's not the worship leader either.

Answer 5

I can't say I have been to a church like that, but when some do exist, and I would say if it gets out of hand and takes away from God, then it is a bad thing.
I do think that sometimes the church I go to, doesn't focus enough on the 'meat' of christianity, but more the milk, (this reference is used in the Bible).
That they focus on faith, and not whats behind it, or that they focus on the emotions, and not the truth behind them.

Jess - feel free to email

Answer 6

well i play guitar for my personal ministry, even though I suck at it. I don't think that (some churchs) make a party out of it. What Jesus did was very sad. but look at what God did? he made this universe for us to enjoy! he made EVERYTHING for us to enjoy! I hope that helped...if you're deciding to leave your church, i encourage you to pray about it first.
God
bless,
Jess

Answer 7

Is it strict to do what God says to do contained in the way God says to do it? even as God instructed Noah the thanks to construct the ark and the specs it change into to have, the Bible says that Noah did all in accordance to the tutorial he gained. Jesus instructed the apostles to reveal the failings He had commanded them! (Matt. 28:18-20) Timothy change into instructed to evangelise the note even as it change into wide-spread, or maybe even as it change into no longer wide-spread. truly, those verses make it sparkling that some would not undergo sound doctrine, yet might want to search for instructors that could want to assert wide-spread issues. (2 Timothy 4:2-4) So, is it strict to easily stick with the practise of Jesus? Is it strict to in basic terms carry forth the note? Galatians a million:6-9 says that anybody who teaches yet another gospel is accursed. Is it strict to insist that in basic terms a similar gospel that change into brought to them learn now? The Bible does no longer contradict itself, so if the teachings of two church homes contradict one yet another, then a minimum of one in all them should be in mistakes, contradicting the Bible. Our pastime is to take any doctrine taught and evaluate it to the scriptures. (Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17) If a doctrine concurs with the Bible, settle for it! If a practise does no longer believe the Bible, reject that doctrine! "We may want to obey God somewhat than adult men." (Acts 20:28) If this is basically too strict, i'm sorry, yet i ought to obey God and His note!

Answer 8

If I visited a church where they set off bombs, and the preacher spat blood and fire, I'd attend every week.