Mike Day, singer and guitarist, gathered his rock band around him.
Dressed in a faded black T-shirt, jeans and skateboard sneakers, he bent his shaved head. “God,” he said, “I hope these songs we sing will be much more than the music. I know it’s so difficult at times when we’re thinking about chords and lyrics and when to hit the right effect patch, but would you just help that to become second nature, so that we can truly worship you from our hearts?”
A few minutes later the band broke into three songs of slightly funky, distorted rock with heaving choruses, and the room sang along: 1,500 or so congregants of High Desert Church here, where Mr. Day, 33, is a worship director. This was Sunday night worship for the young-adult subset of the church’s congregation, but it was also very much a rock show, one that has helped create a vibrant social world in this otherwise quiet desert town.
There has been enormous growth in the evangelical Protestant movement in America over the last 25 years, and bands in large, modern, nondenominational churches ”” some would say megachurches ”” like this one, 90 miles northeast of Los Angeles, now provide one of the major ways that Americans hear live music.
It was hard for me to find too much objectionable in this, even though I tried. Still, this kind of lyricism is pretty demoralizing, if this is the future:
Hey, hey, hey, God I love you
Hey, hey, hey, God I need you
I know there’s not anything you can’t do
I know there’s nothing you won’t see me through
Hey God!
hm, bcp28, I was going to comment on the exact same thing, except add an “ugh!” to the end. 😉
the other quote that hit me as ‘wrong’ was:
“When you start a church,†said Tom Mercer, 52, the senior pastor, “you don’t decide who you’re going to reach and then pick a music style. You pick a music style, and that determines who’s going to come.â€
What happened to “preach the Gospel boldly” and they will come? Now music takes that place?
i found this article so hopeful in the way that people are expressing their worship in indigenous idioms
as a lifelong Episcopalian, I too often find organ music & traditional choirs to be an act of cultural colonialism.
There’s hope folks. (given enough time) I’m a surviving veteran of charismatic days of the early 70’s. Actual worship lyric:
*********************************************
CAUTION: RECITATION OF 70’S WORSHIP LYRIC
MAY CAUSE, AMONG OTHER UNAPPEALING SYMPTOMS, NOSE BLEEDING, DYMENTIA, BLEEDING FROM THE EARS, PROTRACTED PERIODS OF TIME REPEATEDLY RECITING THE WORDS “OH WOW”, TO MENTION A FEW.
*************************************************
(Chorus)
“Glory, Glory, Hallelujah.
Let the Lord Jesus Sock it to Ya.”
Verse:
“Now I KNOW that you THINK that God is irrelevant!”
“But I SAY He made the OX ‘n the ELEPHANT! ”
“OH YEAH!”
(return to chorus)
….and now it’s in YOUR brain.
Thankyaverrymuch.
As a former musician and chorister I too miss pipe organs, processionals and choral anthems. But regrettably, if you want to attract a younger crowd, this is the right thing to do. So the question to ask is: which form of music is more likely to reach young, unchurched people? We all know the obvious answer, but still refuse to change. Makes one wonder what is more important, the comfort of the 99 who have not strayed or reaching out to the one lost sheep.
CharlesB:
I think the idea is find what works and offer variety, not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
I would also add that if music is to be used as a teaching tool-which it can be-traditional Te Deums will work much better than this insipid stuff.
Randall
I find it insipid as well. But that’s probably because I’m 61 and have been in church my whole life. If you really, honestly want to reach unchurched young families and individuals, you have to offer their music. True, once they are members, if it is a large enough church, they may be interested in a traditional service music, if offered. I believe the article is accurate. What do you want? Church your way, or to reach out to the unchurched community?
I wouldn’t be too quick to dismiss what’s happening here. I admit the lyrics quoted are pretty vacuous but it is clear from the article that this wasn’t all they played. I saw Matt Redman and Chris Hughes mentioned, two popular contemporary musicians who know how to turn a good lyric. And I also saw the word ‘hymns’ which presumably includes a number of the tried and true so there is some lyrical content here.
As for the Te Deum, for sure it has some teaching value but for an unchurched person it isn’t likely to engage him or her. It certainly doesn’t engage the young people at our church. Heck, singing it doesn’t exactly engage me but then culturally speaking, I’m a post-February 9th, 1964 baby-boomer. A typo (which could very well have been a Freudian slip) in our church bulletin one Sunday time summed it up perfectly as far as I’m concerned. The canticle was listed as ‘Tedium’.
T’aint nes’arilly so…. Does the culture adapt to the church or must needs the church adapt to the culture? (And is there no end to that adaption before the church is rendered virtually unrecgonisable?) The phenomon we’re talking about here seems to be the odd little subject of what has been termed “Seeker Friendly Churches”. Or McChurch *tm* by the vulgar.
Must we really sculpt the Rock that is the Church to appear more of a futon to attract the lost and a younger crowd?
At Christ Church, Savannah, we’ve found that young folks resonate with the traditional historic church of antiquity. We have a compline service at 9 PM on Sunday nights that has become the ‘seeker’ service (for the lack of a better term), students from local colleges, S.C.A.D. (Savannah College of Art and Design) wander in and return week after week. The nave of the church is darkened with the exception of a half dozen candles and the compline choir in the loft sing softly in latin (we are great proponents of keeping our congregants unintelligiblely occupied and in the dark). I jest. Very little latin.
Point is: the crowd is very young. College aged, a lot of them. They’re looking for something a bit more by way of an expression of worship than an appealing looking young man jumping about on a stage with a guitar amid billowing applications of stage fog, (I’m not making this up kids), as is the case with a church a couple of squares away.
For a taste, http://www.christchurchsavannah.org/Compline.htm
We’ve found that young folks in an increasingly darkening world have need not to be comforted with the familiar (any station on the fm dial will do), but confronted with with the reality of the historic, ancient church. And they return, and bring their close friends.
[i]As for the Te Deum, for sure it has some teaching value but for an unchurched person it isn’t likely to engage him or her. [/i]
But is worship for the unchurched or for the Christian? Is the Eucharistic worship service evangelism or is it support for those already in the Body of Christ?
The way one answers that question is very important and may lead to the difference in worship styles.
At most Episcopal Churches I’ve attended over the last two decades since being received, there is a mixture of hymns (particularly at processionals, and offertory) and contemporary music (usually at Eucharist and as a praise song in place of the doxology when the gifts are brought forward). This seems to work very well in engaging most of the people in the congregation.
My most oft heard caution on this board when music is brought up is: make sure it is theologically correct! and that includes: to whom is it focused — on God or on what God can do for [b]ME[/b]? That, too, makes a huge difference on how it is received by the congregation, both seasoned and the younger members.
“But is worship for the unchurched or for the Christian? Is the Eucharistic worship service evangelism or is it support for those already in the Body of Christ?” I would answer both. If corporate worship isn’t evangelistic, if it doesn’t point as well as draw believer and unbeliever alike to Jesus, I might wonder if it can really be called worship.
And #9, I’m not pushing for the kind of worship of that other church in your neighbourhood. The picture I have in my mind is not about light shows and smoke machines although that might appeal to some people. I’m thinking more of a service with music provided by a band something like the one led by Stuart Townend which has been seen occasionally on BBC’s Songs of Praise. Very respectful, very devout, most worshipful. Or check out worship at Holy Trinity Brompton. It obviously has an appeal for many twenty and thirty somethings.
Of course worship is about more than style and our own personal preferences. But we worship in the languages that we have. And for better or worse, the musical language that speaks to much of contemporary culture has a backbeat to it (hence my earlier reference to Feb 9, 1964 which for those who wondered about it was the night the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show for the first time). I don’t deny that some young people can find meaning in so called ‘traditional’ worship. In an experiential age we might expect some of the more contemplative among them to gravitate in that direction. But we shouldn’t expect it of all of them or conclude by their appreciation of it that they don’t appreciate other forms as well. Why would we think young people will be any less eclectic in their tastes than the generation that preceded them?
Bill Gnade had a great posting on “praise music” the other day in his blog. http://contratimes.blogspot.com/2007/11/on-sitting-in-church-squirming.html
I couldn’t help but join in the comments. Teenagers squirm during the Te Deum, and we old folks squirm during the guitar band stuff. “A chaqun son gout,” or “De gustibus non est disputandum.”
Interesting. I may go back and post a comment there, particularly in comment to “as I listen to the band, I think what happened to “be still and know that I am God”?” I would counter with the psalm that also says, “Play skillfully with a loud noise” (Psalm 33:3) or “shouts of joy”. Either works with hymns or CCM!
I think the melding of new and old as in what I described earlier can be a good compromise. As I said, I don’t mind much of the new music, but I wish there were a bit more theological meat on them bones. And please pay attention to detail: “From the cross to the grave” is just not the same as “from the cross to the TOMB”. Such a slight matter, but it matters (well, to me at least) in terms of the Scripture. Grave calls to mind a six by three foot hole in the ground filled in with dirt. But I admit it: I am mighty picky. Why, I won’t even sing a song with the word “jehoviah” in it since that is not God’s name in any way shape of form (a friend of mine says “If YHWH” is I am who Am, then Jehoviah is the name that never was!” — it’s a modern invention based on a German mis-translation! — Chiam Potok says “the Name of G-d may have been pronounces ‘Yahweh’, certainly not ‘jehoviah’ and never from the lips of a pious Jew” LOL) But that’s off topic, slightly. I ignore the fact that “Jesus” stems from the same controversy. 😉
Yes, let’s merge the old or new. Why does it have to be either/or????
Ross,
[i] If corporate worship isn’t evangelistic, if it doesn’t point as well as draw believer and unbeliever alike to Jesus, I might wonder if it can really be called worship. [/i]
You and I disagree on this point. I hold that Christian worship is designed and set apart for the believer. Especially the Eucharist (which is why in the first centuries, only believers were allowed to be present for the Eucharistic celebration). The liturgy of the Word is designed for us to participate in the ‘teaching of the Apostles’ and hear the Word of God applied to our lives. A non-Christian cannot truly ‘worship’ God with believers, I doubt they can even grasp what that entails! Which is why new converts have to undergo the catechumen process before being allowed the Eucharist.
Evangelism is what [b]we[/b] do the other 6 days and 22 hours of the week.
Peace
Jim Elliott <><
Jim,
The Apostle Paul certainly seemed of the opinion that outsiders or unbelievers might be present during corporate worship (cf 1 Cor. 14:23-25). And one consequence of what they might experience there would be their own worship. So it would seem to me that evangelism isn’t just what we do outside of our worship. As Christ’s witnesses, representatives, and ambassadors we are committed to it 24/7.
That being said, I am in total agreement with what you say about the need for catechesis. Though I believe the eucharist is – or ought to be – evangelistic from start to finish I am not a proponent of open communion.
But, to get back to the theme of this thread, I am very open to the use of drum kits and electric guitars in eucharistic worship – and let’s face it, most Sunday morning Anglican worship is eucharistic or it ought to be. Where such instruments are reverently and competently employed we will find that people are attracted by it. That’s been my experience, anyway.
Ross
Ross,
As I said, I am NOT opposed to the merging of varied musical traditions in worship. In fact, I encourage it. But my caveat goes — theologically sound, God centered.
Have you encountered the music of John Bell from the Iona Community (“Wild Goose Worship Group”)? He specializes in ‘shorter worship musical pieces’ designed for easy singing by congregations with limited choral resources. But he also has a place for ‘world Christian musical expressions’ that one might not readily find in one’s own back-yard. I highly recommend seeking his music out. The main distributor in the U.S. is GIA music. A friend recently told me that his compositions are in the Presbyterian hymnal as well!
Oh, and one more suggestion:
PETRA PRAISE
’nuff said.
Jim, I agree completely with the need for theologically sound, God centered content to any songs and hymns that are used. I am not one who goes simply for the experience. Not that I think corporate worship shouldn’t be a moving experience but it needs to move me in the right direction. John Bell certainly supplies good content. As I mentioned earlier I appreciate the work of Stuart Townend whom some have called this era’s Charles Wesley though he has a few thousand more hymns to write before he catches Charles. His ‘In Christ Alone’ is a glorious hymn that whether it is to be accompanied by a competent praise band or by a four manual multi-rank pipe organ should be in every congregation’s repertoire.
Ross
[blockquote]As a former musician and chorister I too miss pipe organs, processionals and choral anthems. But regrettably, if you want to attract a younger crowd, this is the right thing to do. [/blockquote]
[i]Please please please[/i] don’t fall into the trap so many churches have fallen into by thinking, “If we play guitars, they will come.” I am in my 20s and a survivor of the “folk revolution” across the Tiber. When I moved to my present home, if I heard guitars, snare drums, or electric pianos, I got up and left. I am completely annoyed by pastoral staffs that believe that the only way to reach me as a 20 something Christian is to play music they think is hip and on par with rock and roll.
I have enough rock and pop music on my Ipod and on my radio in the car. When I go to pray, I want to be fed and uplifted by the music and reminded that in [i]this[/i] place, in [i]this[/i] time, I am called to a deeper conversation with God. I have been blessed to have a series of music directors who, while incorporating good modern music into the church’s repetoire, have also been patient enough to explain why we are singing in Latin, or why this or that hymn is important.
The fact that I am able to worship in a ritual with elements that are over 500 years old is an important touchstone in my ever-transient life and in the lives of most of the church-going 20 somethings I know. The church’s liturgy is a pearl of great price; don’t throw it to the dogs in hopes of attracting a crowd.
{i]500 years[/i] is a pittance. Get a hold of [url=http://www.anonymous4.com/]ANONYMOUS 4’s[/url] “1000: Mass for the End of Time”, in which they perform a mass written for the turn of the millennium — the year 1000.
[blockquote]To commemorate the millennial anticipation and anxiety felt the first time around by our medieval forebears, the members of Anonymous 4 bring us another of the shrewdly assembled programs for which they are famous. Returning to chant and early polyphony from the 10th century, set down in Aquitainian manuscripts and the celebrated Winchester Troper from Britain, they have constructed a Mass for Ascension Day, a feast with strong liturgical associations to the apocalypse. This is the earliest music to which Anonymous 4 has lent their distinctively pure, beautifully blended voices. [/blockquote]
But seriously:
[b]The church’s liturgy is a pearl of great price; don’t throw it to the dogs in hopes of attracting a crowd. [/b]
Amen.
Our church is now offering a contemporary Eucharistic service which has the nickname “Veritas” for the College age crowd. It runs on Sunday Evening starting at 5:00 PM followed by a pizza dinner for the college students (“Gorge for a George” all you can eat for a buck”). They have the overhead, pull down screen, and — what I like — the music booklets they hand out have the full SATB score so I can sing the bass part on those high keyed songs.
Well, it turns out to be very well attended by a mixture of all age groups, college aged, their parents, elderly, parents with younger children — in short anyone who doesn’t like getting up early in the AM for service.
Frankly, I love the music. The group that got together for the music is very talented. So far: drums (bongos), guitar, and the occasional flute (more flute, please!) I’d like to see tin whistle and Ulian (parlor) bagpipes, but then, I guess those are hard to find. And so far the music has been rock solid in theology (except for the occasional reference to ‘Jehoviah’ — see above comments) and appropriately placed in the service.
There are, however a few things that bugs me about the service, but since it’s not geared towards me, I don’t say anything there — why take the blessings away from those who like it?
But here I will just to get it off my chest, and it’s on topic:
1) they pray outloud for the music team before the service. I mean, the priest and acolytes are standing in line, and the leader, gets up goes to the mic and says “Let’s pray together!” and it’s one of those prayers that has “Father God” after every two or three words (so I know he’s not from an Anglican background).
2) they drop the Gloria, BUT the praise songs they have been picking out so far are great substitutes. But I still miss the Gloria
3) The pray and then SING the collect for purity. I’d prefer one or the other.
4) they have dropped the Psalm between readings.
5) they have omitted the memorial acclaimation! Now I think that’s kind of important and shouldn’t be omitted.
The explanation I have gotten on omitting the psalm is that originally they only wanted a ONE HOUR service, but couldn’t figure out how to do it with music. So ‘non-essential’ parts of the liturgy had to go. I disagree with this reasoning, but, hey, I’m not on the planning committee.
That’s all up to now. Part of the problem is that I have been having to leave an hour in for the Alpha classes, so only occasionaly so far have I decided to be late for Alpha dinner to stay for the entire service. My wife and 12 year old son have stayed for the whole service, and like it very much.
Peace
Jim Elliott <><
I just want to say that this has been the most gentle and considerate discussion of church music I have encountered in a long time, and it has blessed me–thank you all! This comes from someone who has intoned the Exsultet in the dark of an Easter Vigil or two, and has on the same Day offered the Prayer of Humble Access and the Prayer of Consecration in Elizabethan language and later taken up my 12-string to play and sing, “He is risen! /He is risen indeed! /The sting of death left high on Calvary!” I believe there is room for it all–and a need for it all. (And I’m with you, Libraryjim–I like to sing [u]all[/u] the parts!)
libraryjim, the way you describe the VERITAS service, I so wish I could go with you, your wife & your son
Bob,
I’m looking forward to the ending of Alpha at the end of the month, so I can attend the whole service, and not leave in the middle.
I forgot! the Veritas service also has a keyboard! In fact, that’s what the leader plays. Sheesh!
So it’s keyboard, bongo-type drums, guitar, (bass?), occasional flute, and vocals, and SATB handouts!
Of course, with modern ‘Praise Choruses’, it’s pretty much “heard one, can sing them all”. Like the old Folk music, the chords progression C — AM — F — G or G7 pretty much defined most of the songs, Know these and have a capo, you were in business!