I serve in a congregation that is multi-generational in nature. We have families of four and five generations represented in our congregation. That makes it very challenging when choosing music for worship. Because we are a multi-generational church and have a lot of intergenerational relationships in our church, we have chosen up to this point to not have a traditional hymn-driven service nor a modern praise and worship service, nor a gospel song-driven service. We do all kinds of music in our worship week by week as we seek to worship Him according to who our congregation is, and as we seek to reach out and disciple others in His name.
The pendulum swings back and forth on styles of music used in worship. For many years it was gospel songs; for many years it was more classical hymns; for many years it became praise and worship choruses; for years it became modern songs; the pendulum swung back to hymns with a more modern setting; and one of the things now is the songs of Christian artists. At one time or another we try to touch on the best of all of these in our congregational worship. But, that's just it. It is congregational worship - worship of ALL the people.
Whatever we do in worship must be accessible to all the people. I constantly deal with that tension of trying to make all that we do accessible to all people and make sure in the process that it is not about a particular style of music, but about Him. I had someone not long ago say to me, "I just can't worship unless is it with a Hymn." I so wanted to say, "It is more important that you worship with Him than with a Hymn." I think if our real focus was on the Lord, there would be much less discussion of what we sing and more about Who we sing to and about.
The newest thing is the very popular songs of Christian artists that people seem to think should be used in worship. I have nothing against artists. But, much of the music being used by these artists cover at least one and a half octaves in their ranges, which makes it impossible for a congregation to sing effectively. When we go to hear a Christian artist it is usually mostly to "listen". Not so in congregational worship. The songs, hymns, and spiritual songs we sing in worship need to be accessible to the congregation as a whole so that as many as possible can join in exalting the Lord and lifting up the Savior in song. May we accept that some songs are meant for Christian artists and not congregational worship? Some theologians have said that the most important choir in the church is the congregation. As I have studied Scripture over the years, I would concur. mjm
