Praise music

[marciebaby]

yes or no

[SirTimothy]

An emphatic YES!

Timothy (Youth worship leader, electric & acoustic guitarist at large)

[Naomi4Christ]

Yes!

[gtsecc]

I really don't like it.
A friend of mine used to love praise music.
She is converting to Eastern Orthodoxy and now she doesn't like it anymore.
I really can't explain why some liek it and some don't - but it is intersting - and my friend connects it to her convertion.

[marciebaby]

I love it. My radio is generally set to the praise music station, I know some people have some objections with it being "cultural refuse," or something. I was just hoping to try and understand some opposing points of view.

[Velo Princesse]

I love it too. I know I'm gonna get lynched for saying this, but I don't like hymns at all. I'm thinking about going to the non-musical version of my church to avoid the hymns and just listen to praise music all the way there. :)

Randi

[Naomi4Christ]

I love it. My radio is generally set to the praise music station, I know some people have some objections with it being "cultural refuse," or something. I was just hoping to try and understand some opposing points of view.

It's not just a matter of instruments, beats, chorusses - modern praise music tends to have us sing to God; older hymns tend to have us sing about God. The type of songs/hymns you favour says a lot about your attitude to God.

[marciebaby]

It's not just a matter of instruments, beats, chorusses - modern praise music tends to have us sing to God; older hymns tend to have us sing about God. The type of songs/hymns you favour says a lot about your attitude to God.

Interesting. I was raised with hymns, and love those, too, but they're more a form of poetry that one has to ponder in order to understand.

[gtsecc]

It's not just a matter of instruments, beats, chorusses - modern praise music tends to have us sing to God; older hymns tend to have us sing about God. The type of songs/hymns you favour says a lot about your attitude to God.

Sure, is worship for God or for us?

God is Holy and reverent and likes His music that way, not mawkish and cheesy - God HATES praise music.

[Velo Princesse]

Sure, is worship for God or for us?

Both

God HATES praise music.

Did he tell you that directly?? ;)

I think God likes any kind of music that brings us closer to him and since he made each of us unique, we will all have different taste... I'm pretty sure he's cool w/ that.

Randi

[Mysterium_Fidei]

God HATES praise music.

:eek:

[gtsecc]

Both
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Did he tell you that directly?? ;)

I think God likes any kind of music that brings us closer to him and since he made each of us unique, we will all have different taste... I'm pretty sure he's cool w/ that.

Randi

Yep.
Someone was speaking in tongues, and I interpeted.
Can't argue with the Holy Ghost.

[Velo Princesse]

Yep.
Someone was speaking in tongues, and I interpeted.
Can't argue with the Holy Ghost.

:sigh: I'm at a complete loss...

Randi

[marciebaby]

Sure, is worship for God or for us?

God is Holy and reverent and likes His music that way, not mawkish and cheesy - God HATES praise music.

Sheesh! Aren't we a bit judgemental? Don't you think God understands what our intentions are?

In the OT, people praised God with the tambourine and the harp. Where in scripture (or Tradition for that matter) are we commanded to sing hymns with an organ? Considering that a lot of praise music is based on scripture, I don't understand why it's so bad.

[Thomas2618]

I like praise music in moderation...though less now than I once did. I definitely don't like the idea of its use in the main worship service of the week though. I like some hymns more than others (and yes there are some I could stand not to hear), but they seem to bring more reverence to God IMHO. I actually like the reverence in silence in the Sunday evening Mass that I attend just as much though. My preference? Either hymns or some form of classical sacred music or none at all, though it is not about the music to me. I would be fine with praise music if it didn't usually come with liberal doctrine. What is REALLY important to me is that the Eucharist is the center of Worship.

[marciebaby]

Yep.
Someone was speaking in tongues, and I interpeted.
Can't argue with the Holy Ghost.

:doh:

[Naomi4Christ]

In the OT, people praised God with the tambourine and the harp. Where in scripture (or Tradition for that matter) are we commanded to sing hymns with an organ? Considering that a lot of praise music is based on scripture, I don't understand why it's so bad.

The organ is not traditional - it's a relatively modern invention that became fashionable because there was a shortage of competent musicians.

Praise music clearly makes those on the reticent wing of the church feel rather uneasy.

[Velo Princesse]

I don't think there is much room for praise music in an Anglican Eucharist... it doesn't fit. But, I love it in the car or while I'm cleaning house. :)

Randi

[Naomi4Christ]

I don't think there is much room for praise music in an Anglican Eucharist... it doesn't fit. But, I love it in the car or while I'm cleaning house. :)

Randi

You should come to our church :)

[Velo Princesse]

Praise music clearly makes those on the reticent wing of the church feel rather uneasy.

Why is that, do you think? And what does 'reticent' mean?:blush:

Randi

[gtsecc]

Sheesh! Aren't we a bit judgemental? Don't you think God understands what our intentions are?

In the OT, people praised God with the tambourine and the harp. Where in scripture (or Tradition for that matter) are we commanded to sing hymns with an organ? Considering that a lot of praise music is based on scripture, I don't understand why it's so bad.
I'm just teasing - but it does make me want to Quote Scripture:
And when his disciples James and John saw this (they have walked upon a Praise band), they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

[Naomi4Christ]

Why is that, do you think? And what does 'reticent' mean?:blush:

Randi

'Church Reticent' goes along with Church Militant, Church Triumphant etc.

we must keep a stiff upper lip and not show any emotion

[Velo Princesse]

I'm just teasing

^_^ You had me worried.

Randi

[Velo Princesse]

we must keep a stiff upper lip and not show any emotion

The pentecostal in me doesn't like that. I really like the reverence of our services, so I try to get all my hand-lifting praise in at home :)

Randi

[gtsecc]

'Church Reticent' goes along with Church Militant, Church Triumphant etc.

we must keep a stiff upper lip and not show any emotion

I have often cried tears during the Liturgy.
I find the Liturgy very emotional - carrying me through a range of them.
This is preciecely what I don't like about "contemporary" liturgies, they have only one emotion - happy clappy sappy.

[Thomas2618]

I looked it up...it means something like "disinclined to speak" or something like that which is making me wonder what she was getting at with her comment.

[Velo Princesse]

I have often cried tears during the Liturgy.
I find the Liturgy very emotional - carrying me through a range of them.
This is preciecely what I don't like about "contemporary" liturgies, they have only one emotion - happy clappy sappy.

I haven't been to a contemporary church, but that is true of the more mainline christian churches... which is something I don't like about them. There is no reverence.

But, I don't think that says anything about praise music. The OP was 'Praise Music, yes or no?' I didn't think she was talking about specifically during service.

I wouldn't like it during service, but I like it at home and in my car. I think I prefer no music during service, although I haven't been to one w/out music yet so the jury is still out on that.

Randi

[Thomas2618]

'Church Reticent' goes along with Church Militant, Church Triumphant etc.

we must keep a stiff upper lip and not show any emotion

Ahh...so that was meant as another of those comments based on presumption. The Mass is very emotional...and lasts longer than does the emotion of contemporary services for those that you call "reticent". What seems to be a lack of emotion to you and a stiff upper lip to you is what we call giving God the reverence due Him.

[higgs2]

not in church.

[higgs2]

I like it at church camp.

[higgs2]

I play it for my kids at home when I'm cleaning the house.

[john23237]

At the risk of asking a stupid question, sense when has a Gregorian chant, Bach's B minor, or a Haydn mass not been praise music? Beethoven's Missa Solemnis is not praise music? What, pray tell are they then? It is not like they have a good beat to dance to, now is it? They were all written for a single purpose, namely, to praise and give thanks for God's great glory.

[higgs2]

What is the difference between a machine gun and praise choruses?








The machine gun runs out of rounds.

[john23237]

happy clappy sappy.

I love it!

[Velo Princesse]

At the risk of asking a stupid question, sense when has a Gregorian chant, Bach's B minor, or a Haydn mass not been praise music? Beethoven's Missa Solemnis is not praise music? What, pray tell are they then? It is not like they have a good beat to dance to, now is it? They were all written for a single purpose, namely, to praise and give thanks for God's great glory.

It's all praise music technically. But 'praise music' is the name of the genre in debate. :)

Randi

[Velo Princesse]

What is the difference between a machine gun and praise choruses?








The machine gun runs out of rounds.


LOL. My mom was just saying something about that... that the songs never seem to end in the church that she visits sometimes....

Randi

[john23237]

It's all praise music

Randi

And that was the point I was trying to make. The purpose is all the same. I have no doubt that those who write and perform praise music have their hearts in the right place, I just wonder sometimes if their ears are working properly.

[rainbowbright]

The organ is a relatively modern invention that became fashionable because there was a shortage of competent musicians.
.

Actually, the organ was invented in the 12th century and was the only instrument allowed in the church until the 17 th century. It was mainly used to accompany the choir. Sorry i had to jump in, but being a music historian I just have to defend the legacy of ancient music;)

[gtsecc]

And that was the point I was trying to make. The purpose is all the same. I have no doubt that those who write and perform praise music have their hearts in the right place, I just wonder sometimes if their ears are working properly.

The invention of the television has dulled many people's ability to discern what is art and what is cheap sentimentality. I think that is why some people want Church to look less like worship and more like MTV: Flashing lights, projector screens, bongos, silly grins. They want Ashton Cutcher, not the stogie old Church Fathers. The justification? Ashton has more adherents; therefore, God has blessed his ministry so the logic goes.

[Aymn27]

Sure, is worship for God or for us?

God is Holy and reverent and likes His music that way, not mawkish and cheesy - God HATES praise music.
Judging by the fact that most praise songs are based in psalms - I highly doubt that...

[higgs2]

Actually, the organ was invented in the 12th century and was the only instrument allowed in the church until the 17 th century. It was mainly used to accompany the choir. Sorry i had to jump in, but being a music historian I just have to defend the legacy of ancient music;)
aHA!!! The organ was introduced *after* 1054, which makes it modern and not part of the tradition of the undivided church!

[SirTimothy]

God HATES praise music.

List, brethren all, we have a prophet in our midst, let us all be bounden thankful, and give thanks unto our good God.

Timothy

[SirTimothy]

What is the difference between a machine gun and praise choruses?

The machine gun runs out of rounds.

I think it was Adrian Plass (A good Anglican) who described some of the 70-80s praise music as "Three chords, two words, ten minutes."

Timothy

[Karl - Liberal Backslider]

I would be fine with praise music if it didn't usually come with liberal doctrine. .

It doesn't. Most "praise music" is from the evangelical end of the church, not the liberal. Liberals tend towards hymns - often recently written ones from the likes of Brian Wren and Fred Kaan, but hymns nevertheless.

Do not confuse 'non-eucharistically centred' with 'liberal'. We Aff Cath types are often considered liberal theologically (actually, we're just non-conservative rather than liberal, in the main) but are very eucharistically centred. On the other hand, the evangelicals are conservative theologically, and are the most likely to have a monthly rather than weekly eucharist, and hold a fairly reformed theology about it. And it's they who are writing the praise songs, not us more liberal types.

[karen freeinchristman]

It doesn't. Most "praise music" is from the evangelical end of the church, not the liberal. Liberals tend towards hymns - often recently written ones from the likes of Brian Wren and Fred Kaan, but hymns nevertheless.

Do not confuse 'non-eucharistically centred' with 'liberal'. We Aff Cath types are often considered liberal theologically (actually, we're just non-conservative rather than liberal, in the main) but are very eucharistically centred. On the other hand, the evangelicals are conservative theologically, and are the most likely to have a monthly rather than weekly eucharist, and hold a fairly reformed theology about it. And it's they who are writing the praise songs, not us more liberal types.
Thank goodness, Karl is back to give us some more of his wise words! :)


One thing I would like to hear (or to read) is what exactly the difference is between a hymn and a praise song? It isn't just the fact that one sings about God and one sings to God, because we find that both do both. I'm beginning to think it simply means that a hymn is one done with organ accompaniment and a song is piano, or guitar etc. Or is it a difference in terms of era? Or is it just that songs have choruses but hymns don't? Personally, I don't think there is a difference, but that it is a subjective term, and one which carries unsaid value judgements.

[GlendaJoanne]

It doesn't. Most "praise music" is from the evangelical end of the church, not the liberal.

On the other hand, the evangelicals are conservative theologically, and are the most likely to have a monthly rather than weekly eucharist, and hold a fairly reformed theology about it. And it's they who are writing the praise songs, not us more liberal types.

Sounds like you are talking about my church... :)

I belong to Green Mountain Christian Center.. we are evangelical & pentecostal.. we are conservative theologically.. and have a monthly eucharist.. We use the praise music as well as hymns during our services..

Praise & worhip starts in pre-service for 15 to 30 minutes... then at the beginning of service for an hour (sometimes longer depending on the Holy Spirit..) The Holy Spirit has moved me to dance and wave flags at service during praise & worship the past month or 6 weeks.. It was difficult for me cause I am not fond of drawing attention to myself.. but I must be obedient to God..

Personally, I still love hymns.. and praise music.. but am moving into Prophet Praise music when I pray now.. JoAnn McFatter.. Cloud by Day & Fire by Night..

Our services are 2 -3 hours long..

[svdbygrace]

Sure, is worship for God or for us?

God is Holy and reverent and likes His music that way, not mawkish and cheesy - God HATES praise music.

:eek:

Worship is for God. :)

[SirTimothy]

Worship is for God.

One of the Vineyard songwriters when told after a service by someone "I didn't get anything out of your worship leading today" responded by asking "I didn't know we were worshipping you?"

Timothy

[karen freeinchristman]

Worship is for God. :)
Yes! But worship is beneficial for us as well, isn't it? We could say that our worship is towards God and not towards ourselves. Or that our worship is of God and not of ourselves.

[karen freeinchristman]

One of the Vineyard songwriters when told after a service by someone "I didn't get anything out of your worship leading today"
I just cringe when people say that they "didn't get anything out of the worship".

[svdbygrace]

Yes! But worship is beneficial for us as well, isn't it? We could say that our worship is towards God and not towards ourselves. Or that our worship is of God and not of ourselves.

Good points... :thumbsup:

[Karl - Liberal Backslider]

Is there a difference between hymns and praise songs?

IME, yes. It's musical as much as anything.

Praise songs are musically derived from contemporary blues-based music forms. Granted, they tend to be around twenty years out of date, musically, but nonetheless the rhythms, which are generally syncopated, are similar to those found in rock, pop and other modern music forms. Hymns, even when modern, tend to have a square classical western rhythm.

Orchestration is also different. Praise songs, true to their musical origins, are written to be played on comtemporary instruments. Classical instruments can be brought in, just as they can with secular contemporary music, but the core will always be a tight rhythm section - keyboard, guitar, bass and drums. The fact that the latter two are often missing in many "praise bands" is one of the reasons they frequently sound so naff. ;). Hymns are intended for piano or organ. Praise songs sound dull on organ because the chord changes tend to be only once or twice per line; hymns generally have a block harmony where the chord changes on every note - virtually unplayable on guitar, but soup and nuts to an organist and choir.

There is also a conceptual difference. A praise song is a complete entity - tune and words. Traditionally, at any rate, a hymn is written to a particular metre, and can be sung to any tune in that metre. Often tunes were written for particular hymns - Love Divine for example, for the hymn, well, Love Divine, but that hymn's also sung to Blaenwern (IIRC). Technically, a hymn is just a lyric; what you sing it to is a Hymn tune.

Someone mentioned that hymns are about God, and praise songs are to God. This may be so, but it's why hymns are useful. There are times when I can't sing to God, at least not with words anyone would want to hear. But I can still affirm Christian truths about Him.

Well, when the Dark Night isn't too dark, anyway.

[AngCath]

Praise music doesn't do much for me personally but I don't keep others from singing their praises.

[SirTimothy]

The fact that the latter two are often missing in many "praise bands" is one of the reasons they frequently sound so naff

AMEN!

Timothy (I can cope without keyboards, I can cope without lead guitar, but I cannot cope without drums, and preferably bass!)

[Velo Princesse]

Sounds like you are talking about my church... :)

I belong to Green Mountain Christian Center.. we are evangelical & pentecostal.. we are conservative theologically.. and have a monthly eucharist.. We use the praise music as well as hymns during our services..

Praise & worhip starts in pre-service for 15 to 30 minutes... then at the beginning of service for an hour (sometimes longer depending on the Holy Spirit..) The Holy Spirit has moved me to dance and wave flags at service during praise & worship the past month or 6 weeks.. It was difficult for me cause I am not fond of drawing attention to myself.. but I must be obedient to God..

Personally, I still love hymns.. and praise music.. but am moving into Prophet Praise music when I pray now.. JoAnn McFatter.. Cloud by Day & Fire by Night..

Our services are 2 -3 hours long..

:) I used to go to a church like that. They are fun! It's like a Jesus Pep-Rally. I prefer a more reverent service, but would definately visit a church like yours on vacation or my non-church days.

Randi

[higgs2]

Is there a difference between hymns and praise songs?

IME, yes. It's musical as much as anything.

Praise songs are musically derived from contemporary blues-based music forms. Granted, they tend to be around twenty years out of date, musically, but nonetheless the rhythms, which are generally syncopated, are similar to those found in rock, pop and other modern music forms. Hymns, even when modern, tend to have a square classical western rhythm.

Orchestration is also different. Praise songs, true to their musical origins, are written to be played on comtemporary instruments. Classical instruments can be brought in, just as they can with secular contemporary music, but the core will always be a tight rhythm section - keyboard, guitar, bass and drums. The fact that the latter two are often missing in many "praise bands" is one of the reasons they frequently sound so naff. ;). Hymns are intended for piano or organ. Praise songs sound dull on organ because the chord changes tend to be only once or twice per line; hymns generally have a block harmony where the chord changes on every note - virtually unplayable on guitar, but soup and nuts to an organist and choir.

There is also a conceptual difference. A praise song is a complete entity - tune and words. Traditionally, at any rate, a hymn is written to a particular metre, and can be sung to any tune in that metre. Often tunes were written for particular hymns - Love Divine for example, for the hymn, well, Love Divine, but that hymn's also sung to Blaenwern (IIRC). Technically, a hymn is just a lyric; what you sing it to is a Hymn tune.

Someone mentioned that hymns are about God, and praise songs are to God. This may be so, but it's why hymns are useful. There are times when I can't sing to God, at least not with words anyone would want to hear. But I can still affirm Christian truths about Him.

Well, when the Dark Night isn't too dark, anyway.

THis is a great post! Thanks.

[rainbowbright]

aHA!!! The organ was introduced *after* 1054, which makes it modern and not part of the tradition of the undivided church!

Oops my bad, actually it was part of the original church. Here's a link:http:www.uh.edu/engines/epi1096.htm

[Naomi4Christ]

AMEN!

Timothy (I can cope without keyboards, I can cope without lead guitar, but I cannot cope without drums, and preferably bass!)

We were missing a drummer yesterday and the worship sounded a bit blah...

[Finella]

I could go on and on about this topic... shame I missed it earlier, the thread seems to have grown so quickly!

My husband has a saying (which I'm sure he picked up somewhere else, so I can't blame him for it entirely): "Praise music is good tunes with crap theology. Traditional music is bad tunes with good theology."

And it's true. What's the popular worship tune going around now, something about gazing into Jesus' eyes when we're in heaven? [i]Hello? Where in the Bible do we read that we're going to be doing such a thing if/when we make it to heaven?

I'm known to play the odd happy-clappy Jesus music now and then, but I'm careful about what I play, and I certainly won't play songs that could easily be preteen lovesick croonings to a muscle-bound sexy Jesus.

Overall, I think we need to think carefully about the purpose of the music we use. Is it to induce some kind of meditative state within the group? Is it to create a specific kind of atmosphere that we find socially acceptable? Is it to induce a specific kind of emotional state within ourselves?

I honestly don't think God cares what kind of music we play for him/her. I think God is most concerned about our motivation and our focus while we make music. For myself, I'm all about creating a musical environment where people feel comfortable being themselves and expressing themselves as honestly and directly as possible to each other and to God, as music is a form of prayer and communication. That may mean using more traditional music, modern music, or even improvising music together. It's something I sincerely hope to explore more and experiement with in the worship groups I'm involved with.

[higgs2]

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRAYSE CHORUSES and HYMNS

A man accustomed to a mainline church went to a seekers' service one Sunday.

He came home and his wife asked him how it was.

"Well," he said, "it was interesting. They did something different. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns."

"Praise choruses?" said his wife. "What are those?"

"Oh, they're okay, I guess. They're sort of like hymns, only different," said the man.

"What's the difference?" asked his wife.

He replied, "Well, it's like this. If I were to say to you, 'Martha, the cows are in the corn,' that would be a hymn. Suppose, on the other hand, I were to say to you:

'Martha, Martha, Martha, Oh, Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA,
the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows,
the white cows, the black and white cows,
the COWS, COWS, COWS are in the corn, are in the corn, are
in the corn, are in the corn, the CORN, CORN, CORN.'

Then if I were to repeat the whole thing five or six times, that would be a praise chorus."

As luck would have it, the same Sunday a young woman accustomed to seekers' services attended a mainline service. She came home and her husband asked her how it was. "Well," she said, "it was interesting. They did something different, however. They sang hymns instead of praise choruses."

"Hymns?" said her husband. "What are those?"

"Oh, they're okay, I guess. They're sort of like regular songs, only different." said the woman.

"What's the difference?" asked her husband.

She replied, "Well, it's like this. If I were to say to you, 'Ernest, the cows are in the corn,' that would be a regular song. Suppose, on the other hand, I were to say to you:

"Oh Ernest, dear Ernest, now hear thou my cry;
Incline thine ear to the words of my mouth.
Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by
To the righteous, inimitable, glorious truth.

For the way of the animals who can explain?
There is in their heads no shadow of sense!
Hearken they not in God's sun or his rain.
Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced.

Yea, those COWS in glad bovine, rebellious delight
Broke free from their shackles, their warm pens eschewed.
Then goaded by minions of darkness and night.
They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn have chewed.

So look to that bright shining day by and by,
Where all the corruptions of earth are reborn,
Where no vicious animal makes my soul cry,
And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn."

Then, if I were to sing only verses one, three, and four, and if I were to do a key change on the last verse, that would be a hymn."

--Author Unknown (perhaps with reason)

[karen freeinchristman]

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRAYSE CHORUSES and HYMNS

A man accustomed to a mainline church went to a seekers' service one Sunday.

He came home and his wife asked him how it was.

"Well," he said, "it was interesting. They did something different. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns."

"Praise choruses?" said his wife. "What are those?"

"Oh, they're okay, I guess. They're sort of like hymns, only different," said the man.

"What's the difference?" asked his wife.

He replied, "Well, it's like this. If I were to say to you, 'Martha, the cows are in the corn,' that would be a hymn. Suppose, on the other hand, I were to say to you:

'Martha, Martha, Martha, Oh, Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA,
the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows,
the white cows, the black and white cows,
the COWS, COWS, COWS are in the corn, are in the corn, are
in the corn, are in the corn, the CORN, CORN, CORN.'

Then if I were to repeat the whole thing five or six times, that would be a praise chorus."

As luck would have it, the same Sunday a young woman accustomed to seekers' services attended a mainline service. She came home and her husband asked her how it was. "Well," she said, "it was interesting. They did something different, however. They sang hymns instead of praise choruses."

"Hymns?" said her husband. "What are those?"

"Oh, they're okay, I guess. They're sort of like regular songs, only different." said the woman.

"What's the difference?" asked her husband.

She replied, "Well, it's like this. If I were to say to you, 'Ernest, the cows are in the corn,' that would be a regular song. Suppose, on the other hand, I were to say to you:

"Oh Ernest, dear Ernest, now hear thou my cry;
Incline thine ear to the words of my mouth.
Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by
To the righteous, inimitable, glorious truth.

For the way of the animals who can explain?
There is in their heads no shadow of sense!
Hearken they not in God's sun or his rain.
Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced.

Yea, those COWS in glad bovine, rebellious delight
Broke free from their shackles, their warm pens eschewed.
Then goaded by minions of darkness and night.
They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn have chewed.

So look to that bright shining day by and by,
Where all the corruptions of earth are reborn,
Where no vicious animal makes my soul cry,
And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn."

Then, if I were to sing only verses one, three, and four, and if I were to do a key change on the last verse, that would be a hymn."

--Author Unknown (perhaps with reason)

That is priceless! :thumbsup:

[SirTimothy]

We were missing a drummer yesterday and the worship sounded a bit blah...

It always does. The critical elements to modern worship are the acoustic guitar and the drummer. Bass comes in next, Electric guitar, followed by keyboards/synth.

Timothy

[karen freeinchristman]

It always does. The critical elements to modern worship are the acoustic guitar and the drummer. Bass comes in next, Electric guitar, followed by keyboards/synth.

Timothy
By Jove, I think you've got it! :thumbsup:

[SirTimothy]

By Jove, I think you've got it!

Indeed. Unfortunately for me, I play all (and have all in our house) of the above, so it's rare that there's a worship team that I'm not playing in--it means I rarely get to sing!

Timothy

[karen freeinchristman]

Indeed. Unfortunately for me, I play all (and have all in our house) of the above, so it's rare that there's a worship team that I'm not playing in--it means I rarely get to sing!

Timothy
I do believe it is possible to sing and play all of the aformentioned instruments at the same time, is it not??? ;)

[SirTimothy]

I do believe it is possible to sing and play all of the aformentioned instruments at the same time, is it not???

Only really guitar. Any of the rest I can't multi-task (Hey, I'm not a woman, multi-tasking is DIFFICULT for men!)

Timothy

[karen freeinchristman]

Only really guitar. Any of the rest I can't multi-task (Hey, I'm not a woman, multi-tasking is DIFFICULT for men!)

Timothy
^_^

I play acoustic guitar, and it took me quite a while to combine playing with singing! :)

Our drummer was the strongest singer, did both at the same time, AND was a man! :P

[Father Rick]

I believe that there is a time and a place for both tradtional as well as contemporary music in our worship. Jesus said this parable, "The Kingdom of God is like a scribe that takes from his treasury things both new and old.".

While I've actually sung Berlioz's Requiem (I love the "Lacrymosa"), I have to admit that as beautiful a piece as that is, I don't see it measuring up to scriptures such as Psalm 149Psalms 150: 1 - 6 - Study This Chapter (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=ps+150&version=nas&showtools=1) 1 Praise F1552 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#F1552) the F1553 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#F1553) LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; R4670 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#R4670) Praise Him in His mighty expanse. F1554 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#F1554) R4671 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#R4671) 2 Praise Him for His mighty R4672 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#R4672) deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. R4673 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#R4673) 3 Praise Him with trumpet R4674 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#R4674) sound; Praise Him with harp R4675 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#R4675) and lyre. 4 Praise Him with timbrel R4676 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#R4676) and dancing; Praise Him with stringed R4677 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#R4677) instruments and pipe. R4678 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#R4678) 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; R4679 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#R4679) Praise Him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything R4680 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#R4680) that has breath praise the F1555 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#F1555) LORD. Praise F1556 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#F1556) the F1555 (http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Psalms+150&section=0&version=nas&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ps&NavGo=149&NavCurrentChapter=149#F1555) LORD!

Many times the desciptions (and even commands) of worship in Scripture include worshipping God with tambourines, trumpets, loud cymbals, dancing, etc.

The way I see it, only God has the right to decide how He should be worshipped. Only God has the right to determine what constitutes reverence. And, according to Scripture, sometimes reverence means to dance and play the tambourine. At other times, it means to fall flat on one's face in worship. Sometimes it can mean silence. Sometimes it can mean loud cymbals, trumpets, and shouting.