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DISCUSSYour Guide to Contemporary Christian Music
06/19/2008
By Dale Peterson
Thank you for choosing to worship with us today. If you are from a church that uses traditional hymns, you may be confused. Please take a moment to read through this guide to contemporary Christian music.
In our church you will not hear "How Great Thou Art," "Wonderful Grace of Jesus," or "Like a River Glorious." (Generally, hymns that have words like “Thou” are not used. They are too archaic and are normally replaced by words like “awesome” and “miry clay”). Yes, okay, we may do "Amazing Grace" or "Peace Like a River" at some point, but as a general rule we avoid songs with too many different verses or those that can't be played easily on guitar and drums.
If you are new to worship here, you may wish to know the reasons for this. One is that deep theological concepts do not belong in contemporary Christian worship. We frown on songs that change more than one or two words for each verse. For example, our version of "Holy is the Lord" consists of repeating that phrase six times per verse and then changing "Holy" to "Worthy," "Mighty," "Jesus" and finally changing "the" to "my." Isn’t that much simpler to sing and easier to remember? The twin goals here are a) repetition and b) chanting quality. We don’t focus on what we’re singing, but how we’re singing it. The main thing is to get that kind of tingly, "olive oily" feeling. Don't worry if you don't get this right away. It will come as you learn to disengage your intellect. Just free yourself. Immerse yourself. Relax.
Nevertheless, a traditional hymn may sometimes be used. For example, we’re not averse to "Holy, Holy, Holy." You may be tempted to sing this as you would have in your former church, but please note that it is sung here with changes, mainly the fact that we repeat it several times and try to sing as slowly as possible, thereby emphasizing the funereal nature of the verse.
Repetition is very important in contemporary Christian music. We repeat: Repetition is very important in contemporary Christian music. Just because a song may have one verse and one chorus does not mean that you only sing it through once. Old hymns have several verses, each of which introduces a new theological concept, and are meant to be sung once followed by "Amen." This is no longer how it’s done. The correct procedure is to sing the identical verse and chorus at least three times. Often it is preferable to repeat the verse two times initially before moving on to the chorus.
Also the worship leader may want to repeat a verse or chorus found in the middle of the song. This is signaled by “calling an audible." When this occurs, the worship leader will say the first few words of the verse or chorus he will be singing next. Sometimes, due to the similarity of the verses, this may be confusing and the overhead projector may flash several pages of text until the correct one is arrived at. Don't panic, this is normal. Just continue singing as though you know the words and soon either the correct slide will appear or a new chorus will begin.
After the verse and chorus are sung at least three times, it is permissible for the song to end. However, the chorus must first be repeated in its entirety, then the last paragraph, then the last line. When singing the last line it is important to slow down a little and look upward. Raising a hand is permissible and often done at this time. This may take a little getting used to but don't worry, if you just join in, in a short time you won't even notice and soon you will forget that you ever did it any other way.
We are just really glad you chose to share the worship experience with us today. Thank you and we hope to see you again soon.
Thank you and we hope to see you again soon. Thank you. Thank.
One of the things that I have noticed about Door articles is that we think they are funny unless they satirize something we do. I don't always agree with the points made, but they do make me think and consider why I do what I do. This was one of those articles.
I remember a friend saying that he went to a contemporary service where they sang "We bring a sacrifice of praise" about twenty times. He went to the bathroom and came back and they were still singing it. The way the mind works is that you stare at something long enough and the optical receptors shut down - the left side of the brain disengages. The same thing happens when you sing the same stuff over and over again. You go into a right brain trance and feel a euphoria that is not really that different from chanting a mantra or having a stroke in the left part of your brain (See Dr. Jill Taylor's book, "My Stroke of Insight").
There are many beautiful and meaningful contemporary hymns, but there are a good number of meaningless ones, too. That is true of traditional hymns too. The structured, liturgical worship of the past had it's problems and has been the brunt of much deserved satire. Similarly, contemporary worship had earned every word written in this very clever and funny piece.
I read it, I agreed with it, I thought it was an average critique and poorly concieved humor. Anyone for smashing LCD projectors with me after hours tonight?
Do you have any scientific reference for the statement you made above: "You go into a right brain trance and feel a euphoria that is not really that different from chanting a mantra"?
Obviously Dr. Jill's stroke lead her to believe in New Age techniques to "disengage" the rational left hemisphere of the brain and allow the right, "feeling" side to dominate. The question is, is this what our creator God wants from our worship? It seems to me prayer and worship are to activate the mind and open it to communication from God, not to shut it down. Hypnotisim, drumming, dances, Eastern medication, Yoga and chanting are designed to shut down the frontal lobe and rational thought. Moral decision making, that which sets us apart from animals, is rational and informed, based on active decision making,not feeling orientated.
I am looking for scientific information not just personal opinions.
Thanks for introducing me to Dr. Jill, it was a most interesting viewing.
Hypnotism, et al, all designed to shut down 'the frontal lobe' of the brain?
It is you who needs to render some scientific information, rather than simply your opinions. The practices you decry, whether or not they are agreeable, are hardly 'designed' to shut down anything. Repetitive activities (which might include the singing of multiple choruses) do tend to create a change in ones conscious mind, but this speaks more to the conscious mind than it does to any ulterior design motive.
And I dare you to prove that moral decision making is necessarily rational and and informed. From what I can see, it is simply acculturated. If it happens to be on the right track, then all the better.
* repeat after me....relativistic psychobabble, relativistic psychobabble, relativistic psychobabble.......
What you said Steve.
I've squirmed under the gaze of door satire before. And two of my favorite things to sing in church (or anywhere, come to it) are Be Thou My Vision and In Christ Alone (an old and a new, in case anyone missed it).
Your comment reminded me of when I visited a local "non-demoniational" (Sp?) CCM Church a couple of years back. They sang Hallelujah (The word and only the word) for about 45 minutes non-stop.
I myself am a worship leader in my Church and I admit that we are guilty of some of the things that this article talks about. Although we do try not to be.
having a stroke in the left part of your brain...
HAHAHA! (wipes a tear from his eye) That's great! A stroke would be a welcome relief!
I am glad I'll never have to hear some jackass with a gee-tar sing irreverent crap like "I'm stoned on Jesus" again. This was just one reason I quit teaching at an Evangelical high school. I couldn't take the meaningless irreverence for one more week. Seven years was ENOUGH.
It is not suprising that at time when there is practically no difference between the world and the church that worship has become just a form of entertainment at best or self indulgent psuedo worship at the other end. Not all methods are acceptable in worship and when there is just a chance that the music and ambiance created by this new found type of worship will not lead people to worship in spirit and in truth it's wrong. I am afraid that what may seem like a good idea given all of the arguments about changing times etc. does not change the fact that God is a jealous God and will share His Glory with no other. There is no fear of God in any discussion that can seriously compare the worship of the heavenly host in the very presence of the Almighty God and try to explain that we have in modern times able to reach that type of worship by modern methods.
The correct cliche is "tongue-in-cheek," not tongue and cheek.
You can put your tongue right here.
You pervert!!!!!!
UncleKenny,
Lest you forgot, or didn't realize, The Door is a Christian "satire" site (emphasis on "SATIRE".
If it puts you in a bad mood, I suggest you miss visiting this website entirely.
134 posts about worship is probably too many. Are we really called by God to have our worship primarily be in song? Many have assumed that we are but where is that in the Bible? Sure, it is good to sing praises to God, but is it ever the sum total of our worship of God? It seems like we have a culture determined to use singing as a way to know God, but you can't worship that which you don't know in truth. Just another way to assuage our guilt brought on by the notion that we can prioritize God as #1 on our life-lists...when we should find God to be all and in all.
Huh huh hhuhuhhh
You said soggy nuts.
Oh, Uncle Kenny. Like, what's wrong with you, dude? A worship service where the music was all written before 1918 is like, dude, the only way to worship. All that hypnotic repetition is like, you know, kind of pagan, doncher think? Puts the mind in a state where you get all 'olive oily' and receptive and lose yourself in one of those almost trance-like states and listening to God...but wait! That's only for Old Testament prophets! Can't have moderns getting all receptive and suchlike. And raising your hand? Jeez (no disrespect intended) but that sounds like one a them Godless rock concerts with all those hands waving in the air. Can't have that in church. Might cause God to lose his focus or something. Might wave in The Debbil.
Dale. Dude. Get a sense of humor that you are aware of. You do indeed fall a bit flat with this one.
Funny that you mention "trance-like." I was a good little evangelical boy for most of my life; one night I went to a rave (and of course, one of the genres of music is called "trance"...which is what got me on this tangent) and then went to my church's early service and then went to the Friends meeting. The contrast between the three helped me cultivate an appreciation for finding the spiritual in shutting up for a while. Eventually, I dropped the evangelical church and just went Quaker. I've locked horns with a few family members who've been aghast at the idea of not having professional ministers or exuberant hands-in-the-air worship and having tolerance or even *gasp* acceptance of "immoral" (i.e. gay) people. I simply found that for me the best way to listen to God is to (pun intended) shut the hell up.
Maybe that's 'cuz I do a bunch of talking...I don't know.
Loved this article! Funny and oh so true! I can't stand the elevator music that passes for "worship" and miss the days when songs actually meant something! Give me some Larry Norman, Keith Green or Bob Dylan please! There's a whole bunch of "religious" fellow musicians I want to annoy - hope you won't mind if I lead them to this page!
The best worship service I was ever involved in was in downtown Managua, Nicaragua at about midnight, they had been going at it for a few hours and I only understood about half of what was said. That one service has stuck with me for years. It didn't matter what style the music was. It moved me like nothing since. Although, U2 at Notre Dame came close.
I love playing modern worship 'cause it is so easy. Guitar solos and bass runs are fun with no worries about grabbing a fist full of the wrong strings, but I can't stand listening to the stuff. If I'm not on stage playing it, I would rather not have to hear it. Probably for the same reasons I like playing it.
Great article, Dale. Looks like I'm not the only one to impute motives around here, Kenny. What was the phrase you used earlier, "no need for the adult diapers"?
Well, I did say my Grape Nuts were a bit soggy, budda. I could also be sleep deprived. SOS week in Cincy is fun, but I am getting old.
Dear Uncle Kenny,
So far, we have figured out that you are to old to keep up with the kids. Also, your Grape Nuts are soggy because, while you were asleep, the campers pissed in them.
Consider yourself "called" to another mission.
HEY, Nice to see you again, Lilly. When did they let you out:)
I just got out of the Gadarine Cemetery.
I found out that I am allergic to pork.
I am so glad that the DOOR is Kosher.
Lilly,
I suppose my new calling could be to help you with your grammar and spelling. After we tackle that, we could spend some time working on your manners.
Just a thought. . .
Amen Dale! Thats how "Word Of Faith" churches do it. Sing the same verses over and over for at least an hour! The "WOF" churches have a reason for doing this. They think if you sing long enough,loud enough,and intensely enough,God gets "impressed" and manifests His presence! Of course their reasoning is nonsense! A lot of contemporary songs are the "Jesus is my boyfriend" type garbage. Their are some good ones don't get me wrong. But most are as theologically deep as a mud puddle!
Amen indeed, Dale! Good stuff! Very, very funny! My dad refers to contemporary "praise and worship" songs as "7-11 choruses"--the same 7 words repeated 11 times. ("I could sing of Your love forever..."--perfect example) I agree, budda, that they're fun to play on guitar because they're relatively easy. The traditional hymns change chords too doggone much! Actually, I like some of the contemporary stuff, and there are a few traditional hymns I don't like.
I remember about 25 years ago, even before the "praise and worship" choruses got so popular, being in a Christian bookstore, looking for background tapes for traditional hymns. The girl working there, a girl who had grown up in church and was about 18 years old, didn't know what a hymn was. Honest-to-God! And there is now a whole generation of Christians growing up not knowing what a hymn is. That, to me, is a terrible shame!
7-11 now thats funny. Funny but true! Shout To The Lord is another song we used to sing over and over and over and over,well 'nuff said!
20 years ago I joked that the worship leader wrote the songs right before going on stage.
All he had to do was close his eyes. Flip open a bible and point his finger anywhere on the open page.
What ever words were at his finger tip were the next worship song by just repeating them over and over again twenty times.
Try yourself. You might be the next big musical sensation.
Christian churches used to have altars and baptismal fonts, lecterns, and pulpits. (Sacraments, scripture, and preaching). Now they have STAGES. Need i say more?
Off topic, I know. But to all N.T. Wright fans, big T.V. appearance tonight, 11:30 ET / 10:30 CT.
Should be interesting. Thought you might wanna know.
Grace and Peace,
Raffi Shahinian
Parables of a Prodigal World
*growl* I missed it. Now I'm gonna have to fight to catch the re-run of that episode.
Nevermind...I just found a link to the interview, hopefully my computer doesn't choke bandwidth-wise.
Dale,
Great article, but we must not forget the number one praise requirement: To sing whispey-voiced. Simply, take your thumb and forefinger, and pinch your nose. Then sing softly, in a whisper, at a pitch above comfort.
There you are! A modern praise star! You will sound very creepy and fit right in!
Just never, never be deep, like Johny Cash or Lorne Green or Tennessee Ernie Ford. It would blast out unaccustomed ears... and spirits. It would be too harsh for the dear mouth breathers.
As the praise: light, whispy, damnable wrong; so the follows their doctrines: no wallops to stupified souls, nothing deep, nothing grounded, nothing truly close to, well, a powerful God.)
Whispy praise is God's cosmic joke. He makes it abundantly clear the worshippers demonstrate nothing so much but perfect gelding: Leave your balls at the door and sing like a teenage girl trying to sound like the latest trollup with a head-cold and pants two sizes too small.
It could only please a god whose only strength was a commandment that weakness be worshipped. Often the only strength found in such institutions of whispy spirit is their violent opposition against anything, well, strong. To them, nothing beats Whispy on High.
Repeat until all awareness of true insight of soul is put to sleep: "Nothing beats Whispey on High!" (A hundredrepeats should do it!) "Nothing beats Whispey on High!"
Good, the ushers are ready to pass the offering buckets... You will reach deep into your wallets and purses, contribute more than you should, and never recall -- even in moments of great insight -- that your good church praise service shoots out the lights of discernment in your souls with this worship-of-weakness-praise mantra malarkey, and creates gross darkness instead of light in the sheep who would otherwise rise up and say, "STOP THE SHENANIGANS, YOU WOLVES IN SHEEPS CLOTHING! WE NEED SINCERE INSIGHT AND TRUTH, NOT MANTRAS FOR OUR OWN STAGE HYPNOSIS!"
wow.
budda, I'll see your "wow" and raise you an "oy ve"!
Allow me to add 'uff da' and from Samoa 'oka,oka!'
It is always amazing to see/hear the bitterness and vitriol of "Christians" toward others of their ilk(geez I like that word-'ilk') who they feel are worshipping incorrectly. Honestly, I think the Quakers and the Buddhists get it the closest to right-shutup and listen!
Ya, two points for me and Josh.
It goes well with my super-artsy britches and my shaggy, shaggy locks.
(ref. to "The George Fox Song" by Sydney Carter)
Love your name, equa yona, it's even more fun to say than "ilk".
Speaking of Big John Cash:
There's a place I know where the train goes slow Where the sinner can be washed in the blood of the lamb There's a river by the trestle down by sinner's grove Down where the willow and the dogwood grow
You can hear the whistle, you can hear the bell From the halls of heaven to the gates of hell And there's room for the forsaken if you're there on time You'll be washed of all your sins and all of your crimes If you're down there by the train Down there by the train Down there by the train Down there by the train Down there where the train goes slow
There's a golden moon that shines up through the mist And I know that your name can be on that list There's no eye for an eye, there's no tooth for a tooth I saw Judas Iscariot carrying John Wilkes Booth He was down there by the train Down there by the train Down there by the train Down there by the train He was down there where the train goes slow
If you've lost all your hope, if you've lost all your faith I know you can be cared for and I know you can be safe And all the shamefuls and all of the whores And even the soldier who pierced the side of the Lord Is down there by the train Down there by the train Down there by the train Down there by the train Down there where the train goes slow
Well, I've never asked forgiveness and I've never said a prayer Never given of myself, never truly cared I've left the ones who loved me and I'm still raising Cain I've taken the low road and if you've done the same Meet me down there by the train Down there by the train Down there by the train Down there by the train Down there where the train goes slow
Meet me down there by the train Down there by the train Down there by the train Down there by the train Down there where the train goes slow
Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of great songs that I grew up with which I still enjoy to sing...but I think my Pentecostal upbringing is part of the reason why I'm an unprogrammed Quaker now. Besides my swing toward a more theologically and socially liberal direction (like UUs and UCCers), I also like a bit of quiet in my time of retreat into worship. That's why I say that "I'm Quaker; we're like UCCers and UUs who know how to STFU."
Contemporary repetition?
Have you forgotten about Old Tyme Fundies, singing at least 30 verses to 'Just As I Am, Without One Plea'.
The Evanglelist stopping the Song Leader every five minutes to plead, threaten, cast fear and doubt into the assembled sinners.
Being held captive to a closing hymn that never ends, is not too different from being held captive to the new stuff.
Just as I Am Without One Plea is hardly old. It was written in the mid 1800's. Evangelical American Christianity thinks of this as old. American Evangelicalism - always trying to reinvent Christian worship by aping popular culture to make it "relevant". There are 2000 years of Christian worship to look to. Christian worship from day one was centred around celebrating the Holy Communion - worship is an action, not an emotion, and still less just the singing part.
I fled this nonsense for Creedal Orthodoxy years ago. No more mindless praise diddies for me, thank you. Praise teams are for talentless hacks who need their 15 min of fame every Sunday and aren't talented enough to cut it anywhere else. Would anyone else tolerate such insipid noise anywhere else on the earth? I got to the point where I had to ask myself THIS is the best we can offer Our Lord? I think not...
The following songs of laud show proper honour to God. I'm wondering if people 17 centuries from now will be singing Our God is and Awesome God? What... no?
Victimae paschali laudes (Easter hymn c. 1030 AD)
Christians, to the Paschal victim
offer your thankful praises!
A lamb the sheep redeemeth:
Christ, who only is sinless,
reconcileth sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended
in that combat stupendous:
the Prince of life, who died,
reigns immortal...
The Te Deum (4th Century)
We praise thee, O God
: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee
: the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud
: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim
: continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy
: Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty
: of thy glory.
The Gloria in excelsis Deo (Sung every Sunday since the 4th Century)
Glory be to God on high.
And in earth peace towards men of good will.
We praise thee.
We bless thee.
We worship thee.
We glorify thee.
We give thanks to thee for thy great glory.
O Lord God, heavenly King
God the Father almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right of the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art Holy. Thou only art the Lord. Thou only art the Most High.
Thou only, O Jesu Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art Most High in the glory of God the Father. Amen
hmmm...I may be a bit odd, but I'm 20 years old and I know almost every song in our church's 600 page hymnal and I can play most of them on the PIANO. yes that's right! a good old-fashioned upright that is usually accompanies by the organ and a couple of brasswinds and occasionally a violin. And I love it! Most of my friends go to churches that sing the contemporary stuff and I enjoy it when I visit their worship services, but at the end of the day, I still love my hymns! I nearly cried when one of my friends didn't know the song "It is Well" in its entirety.
So yeah, there are still a few of us young uns who enjoy the old traditional hymns and love to be taught theological truths through music.
You might be pleased to know, missa, that accourding to a publication from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ("The Lutheran"? I'm not 100% sure--sorry) that came out about 3-4 years ago, a majority of ELCA Lutheran young people actually prefer traditional church music and hymnody to the new stuff. So, you're not alone, apparently. It's encouraging to me!
You left out referring to the congregation as "church" (as in, "sing to the Lord, church" or "Worship, church") during the "praise" and of course, the goatee on at least one member of the praise band, the flannel shirts (or Hawaiian shirts when warm outside) worn outside of the stained or frayed jeans (or cargo shorts in the case of the tiki shirt). Then there is my favorite practice of late, the leader with the closed eyes and head tilted heavenward repeating during the instrumental section "we _______ you, Lord/Jesus" (fill in the blank with a verb from the repeated verse or chorus). And we must never forget to sing at least one Mercy Me song so that we can appear to be worshiping while repeating "me" or "I" at least a dozen times (at least the band's name indicates the focus of their music and truth in advertising).
Of course, there were hymns that we used to sing that have questionable theology (Onward Christian Soldiers immediately comes to mind). And at least we aren't singing premillennial anthems like we did during the Jesus Rev (not to take on one of the musical saints of the Door) in the '70's. Oh well, what's an aging JF to do? Better go back to my Gregorian chants now (John Michael Talbot did the right thing in the '80's , ya know). Or perhaps get my tickets for the Gaither Homecoming Alaskan cruise for a little back home worship on the inside passage.
as one of 'those' musicians, I wholeheartedly agree with the above article. full of truth and fact. satire? I see no satire.
if no one has heard the 'cows' joke which compares hymns and praise choruses, you really must learn it. every time we get to one of those songs that drags on and on (be it a hymn with 150 choruses or a P&W song that fades out), I have a hard time not sniggering... heeeee... cows...
Ahh-- the "cows" joke:
An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was.
"Well," said the farmer, "it was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns."
"Praise choruses?" said his wife. "What are those?"
"Oh, they're OK. They are sort of like hymns, only different," said the farmer. "Well, what's the difference?" asked his wife. The farmer said, "Well, it's like this - If I were to say to you: "Martha, the cows are in the corn"' - well, that would be a hymn. If 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 two or three times, well, that would be a praise chorus."
The next weekend, his nephew, a young, new Christian from the city came to visit and attended the local church of the small town. He went home and his mother asked him how it was. "Well," said the young man, "it was good. They did something different however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs." "Hymns?" asked his mother. "What are those?" "Oh, they're OK. They are sort of like regular songs, only different," said the young man. "Well, what's the difference?" asked his mother. The young man said, "Well, it's like this - If I were to say to you:
'Martha, the cows are in the corn' - well, that would be a regular song. If on the other hand, I were to say to you:
'Oh Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry
Inclinest 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 in their heads is no shadow of sense
Hearkenest they in God's sun or His rain
Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced.
Yea those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight
Have broke free 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 the bright shining day by and by
Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn
Where no vicious animals make my soul cry
And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn.'
Then if I were to do only verses one, three and four and do a key change on the last verse, well that would be a hymn.
I loved the column. You are right on the money. The older hymns were inspired by God and still carry that annointing. Look at the story behind "it is well with my soul" for example. I personally like a balance by singing some of the new praise and worship songs and a couple of hymns.
May God bless you and your ministry.
Loved it....right on!
So ture, so true!
Love you gays, glad to have found you agian after many years!
God bless...and keep us THINKING.
Line three,
word three,
Check your spelling.
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