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I was sitting in church Sunday listening to the choir sing a beautiful hymn. The whole congregation was supposed to be singing, but as usual only the choir was singing. This got me to thinking about the little country church I grew up in, and the “old” hymns we sang. Amazing Grace, Love Lifted Me, Hide Me O Rock of Ages, Rescue the Perishing, and many others. When we sang those old hymns we would raise the roof off of that little church! I have not felt blessed like that for a very long time. My theory is the old hymns sounded out of place in the bigger churches in the city. The songs that are sung at the bigger churches sound more angelic, but they make my ears hurt. Sometimes I think of that old commercial about “Is it live or Memorex”? My ears feel like that glass they break during the commercial. Note to music directors try some of the old hymns and see if you can tell any difference. Music Directors are another sore spot with me. Our Music Director was called a Song Leader, and he did not receive a large salary for his time in front of the congregation. His only pay was the satisfaction he received from a job well done. Our Song Leader had another job outside the church that supported his family. Also he was elected once a year, as were all of the positions within the church. The only person who received any pay was the Preacher. No he was not referred to as the Pastor.
Roll On
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steamrollerb,You are refering to the old time religion, which there's nothing wrong with it. There is even a song called "Give me that old time religion." I remember songs like "There ain't no grave that can hold my body down" and "Hear that Trumpet's sound." Remember this song "I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now?"
I remember getting up every Sunday morning as a kid and my dad would have the TV wide open and The Gospel Quartet singing "JUBELEE!!!" and they would have groups like the Florida Boys, The Oak Ridge Boys, Happy Goodmen Family, The Inspirations and remember the song the sung "When I wake up to sleep no more."


steamrollerb, I know exactly what you're talking about. The music you hear in church now days is canned music. Has no soul if you know what I mean. When people went to church back in my days it meant something and you came home feeling good. I still go to church but if you look around half the congregation is asleep and when it's over everyone rushes to their cars to get out of there and it seems church has become a place to socialize and gossip about other people and show off your best dudds and the church is counting how much money they made.
I love all kind of music, even the newer gospel, but I sure do miss those old gospel hymns. My dad was a Baptist Preacher and, when I was about 3 years old, every Sunday the congregation would beg me to stand up front on a piano stool and sing "Jesus Is Coming Soon" while my dad played the piano. I'll never forget, one Sunday I was mad at my daddy and this lady in the congregation kept begging and begging me to sing, even promising me a prized stuffed puppy from her home. I did sing....standing on that piano stool, with my back to the audience. Big Grin She still had to give me that prize. Roll Eyes

My philosophy....music makes the world happier..If you know it, sing it loud...if you don't, then learn it, you might enjoy it.
WE DONT GO TO THE CHURCH WE USE TO AND YES IT SEEMS TIMES HAS FALLEN OFF WITH THE GOOD OLE SONGS... TOO MANY NOW WANT TO GO WITH THE LITTLE PIECE OF SCHUDULE AND EACH SONG HAS TO BE SUNG AT THE EXACT TIME OR NOTHING CAN BE OUT OF ORDINARY AND MUST STAY IN A `LIMIT`.. LEAVES ME OLDER SOMETIMES WHEN I LEAVE... GET BETTER SPIRIT RIDING AROUND ON SUNDAY MORNING WITH GOSPEL RADIO ON..
I have been in a lot of different churches. Methodist, Baptist(Southern, Missionary, etc.) , Catholic, COC, Pentecostal, non-denominational, Presbyterian, Assembly of God and an AME church. The music in these churches ran the gamut from solemn to praise to stomping. If your heart is in it, I think you can be blessed anywhere. I have been in services where everyone around me was shouting and praising God and I felt just about as dead as a log. I have also been in services where the whole church it seemed was asleep and my spirit was soaring. So I think it has more to do with my own attitude. If I bicker with my husband half the morning about why does he want to wear the only shirt in the house that would HAVE to be ironed before church or some other insignificant silly something or on the other hand... if we are already prepared for worshipping God by being kind and considerate of each other..or putting in a praise CD in the car to get our hearts focused on what is important ...Jesus, that is what makes a huge difference for me.
I will agree though that I would rather sing old hymns than the new praise and worship music, although I like both, though not equally. ..esp. in church. You just can't beat How Great Thou Art and such. I believe that the old hymn writers had such clarity about holiness and sin that we miss because we are so blinded by the world.
What do you say to a 5 year old who knows “Jesus Loves Me” and sings it loud, or to a 65 year old who knows “How Great Thou Art” and really sings it out, or to a 35 year old who knows “Open The Eyes of My Heart, Lord” and can sing every word from their heart to the Lord, and all wants their song(s) offered more than the others?
My answer is, “Here I am Lord, thanks for all You have done. Lord, I have gone out this week and shared Your word with as many people as possible, thank You for the strength to share. Lord, I pray the person(s) who I have brought with me today will receive the message I have shared with them about You. I hope through this time of worship Lord that You are well pleased with my attitude and praise. I ask for forgiveness if I have fallen short. Please except this worship today, and please stir my friend’s heart and draw them to You. Lord, draw me close too You.

Minister of Music, Song Leader, Choir Director, Hymn Hyster, Worship Leader for over 24 years …
Lord, I still need Your, “Amazing Grace.”
I agree, savin & barry & hippie & (okay, so most of you - haha). It's who you are singing to and where your focus is that causes your heart, mind and spirit to worship. You can do that singing "Just As I Am" or "At the Top of My Lungs". Smiler

I love many of the old hymns and especially the stories behind them...absolutely fascinating. Did you know Fanny Crosby wrote over 8,000 hymns? She has an amazing story.
quote:
Originally posted by JJPAUL:
steamrollerb,You are refering to the old time religion, which there's nothing wrong with it. There is even a song called "Give me that old time religion." I remember songs like "There ain't no grave that can hold my body down" and "Hear that Trumpet's sound." Remember this song "I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now?"
I remember getting up every Sunday morning as a kid and my dad would have the TV wide open and The Gospel Quartet singing "JUBELEE!!!" and they would have groups like the Florida Boys, The Oak Ridge Boys, Happy Goodmen Family, The Inspirations and remember the song the sung "When I wake up to sleep no more."


steamrollerb, I know exactly what you're talking about. The music you hear in church now days is canned music. Has no soul if you know what I mean. When people went to church back in my days it meant something and you came home feeling good. I still go to church but if you look around half the congregation is asleep and when it's over everyone rushes to their cars to get out of there and it seems church has become a place to socialize and gossip about other people and show off your best dudds and the church is counting how much money they made.


Amen brother! I miss those ol' quartet days...and even though I sing with it, I despise can music -- you are right -- it is as dead as a doornail.
quote:
Originally posted by JustMe:
Hey, Hippy and Mommyof three, where do you go to church if you don't mind me asking? Send me a PM if you don't want to tell the group. I am looking for a change. My church is like the ones described above and I feel a need to change.


i don't mind at all. in fact, oldtimers will remember, this is what started my posting on the forum.
i go to 'the ARK' downtown on Pine St, 1 block north of Courtview towers. the old 'Florence Event Center'.
Sun 10:30a.m., Wed 7p.m., 'Sat Night Life' 6p.m.
we are a non-denominational fellowship of believers. you will find us to be friendly, common folk, who welcome you into our services any time as a friend, or part of our family. come as you are, Jesus looks on the heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What do you say to a 5 year old who knows “Jesus Loves Me” and sings it loud, or to a 65 year old who knows “How Great Thou Art” and really sings it out, or to a 35 year old who knows “Open The Eyes of My Heart, Lord” and can sing every word from their heart to the Lord, and all wants their song(s) offered more than the others? [quote]

i just smile and KNOW that God knows those needs, and He will satisfy their need for Him.
Last edited by thehippiegirl is gone.
quote:
Originally posted by steamrollerb:
I was sitting in church Sunday listening to the choir sing a beautiful hymn. The whole congregation was supposed to be singing, but as usual only the choir was singing. This got me to thinking about the little country church I grew up in, and the “old” hymns we sang. Amazing Grace, Love Lifted Me, Hide Me O Rock of Ages, Rescue the Perishing, and many others. When we sang those old hymns we would raise the roof off of that little church! I have not felt blessed like that for a very long time. My theory is the old hymns sounded out of place in the bigger churches in the city. The songs that are sung at the bigger churches sound more angelic, but they make my ears hurt. Sometimes I think of that old commercial about “Is it live or Memorex”? My ears feel like that glass they break during the commercial. Note to music directors try some of the old hymns and see if you can tell any difference. Music Directors are another sore spot with me. Our Music Director was called a Song Leader, and he did not receive a large salary for his time in front of the congregation. His only pay was the satisfaction he received from a job well done. Our Song Leader had another job outside the church that supported his family. Also he was elected once a year, as were all of the positions within the church. The only person who received any pay was the Preacher. No he was not referred to as the Pastor.

.
.
Anyone who puts in as much of their personal time, gas traveling, etc. as a music director
should be compensated accordingly.

If you go to a concert..do you expect it to be free??

The problem is that so many Christians want things handed to them at no cost. They want to sit back and enjoy the labor of others without chipping in themselves.
I like the older songs also, but I also like the new ones. I know several of the "new" songs are actually psalms. I believe there should be a good mix of songs because older generations and younger generations should worship together and benefit. It is about mindset. If you're only there for the music or the preaching or the fellowhip are you really worshipping? We should come to worship. Everything else is just icing on the cake.
Hey folks, I got a great idea. Mention this to your church song director and see how they like the idea. How about oldie, goldie Sunday morning and Sunday night. Like do it once a month or every two months. Yeah, I think that would be a neat idea. Come along and sing with us, the solid gold hymns of yesterday at our church. Hear songs like "How Great Thou Art", "I'll Meet You In The Morning", "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder", "Power In The Blood", "The Old Rugged Cross". Yep folks, join us Sunday morning and Sunday night for our oldie, goldie hymn's. Everyone welcome. Who knows, you might be surprised to see how many show up to hear those oldie, goldie hymn's. Wink
We all tend to hold on to our childhood past. If you grew up in the 60s, you prefer 60s style music and so forth. For the most part, the same is true with church music. Most of the older generation prefers the music they grew up with while the younger is looking for something new. While I still like some of the old traditional hymns, I prefer the new praise and worship style music. Most of the old hymns sing about God, while the new style sings directly too God. If you can't find yourself drawn closer to God as you sing traditional hymns and also contemporary praise & worship style, then the problem is with you and your heart and not the song.
quote:
Originally posted by lynnblount:
Anyone who puts in as much of their personal time, gas traveling, etc. as a music director
should be compensated accordingly.

If you go to a concert..do you expect it to be free??

The problem is that so many Christians want things handed to them at no cost. They want to sit back and enjoy the labor of others without chipping in themselves.


You are so right about people wanting things handed to them with no cost.

Many gospel groups travel from church to church and ask for nothing in return. I know our group has gone as far North as Fairview, TN and as far South as Birmingham. With gas prices skyrocketing -- these ministries will be hurt. Many churches give a "love offering" and some give a set amount (set by the church most of the time unless it is a big group). My church gives both a set fee and we take up a love offering. We do this because the pastor used to sing with a group and a few others in the church did as well -- so we know what goes into these ministries.
quote:
Originally posted by JJPAUL:
Hey folks, I got a great idea. Mention this to your church song director and see how they like the idea. How about oldie, goldie Sunday morning and Sunday night. Like do it once a month or every two months. Yeah, I think that would be a neat idea. Come along and sing with us, the solid gold hymns of yesterday at our church. Hear songs like "How Great Thou Art", "I'll Meet You In The Morning", "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder", "Power In The Blood", "The Old Rugged Cross". Yep folks, join us Sunday morning and Sunday night for our oldie, goldie hymn's. Everyone welcome. Who knows, you might be surprised to see how many show up to hear those oldie, goldie hymn's. Wink


Actually, you can come to my church any time and hear those songs. We sing out of the Hymnal and the "Church Hymnal" which is a "red book" that has all those in it as well as the "Mull book" that has many more you'd like.
Hi everyone!
I am a professor of music at Mid-South Christian College in Memphis, Tennessee, and I am interested in getting some opinions for an article I am writing on church music. From reading the discussions, I am sensing the same trend among church-goers that I discuss in my class on church music, namely the hymns vs. worship chorus debate.

For those who wish to participate in the survey, please copy the following questions, paste them in a Microsoft Word document, answer the question and email to: mylife6608@aol.com

I will also continue to read this discussion and make comments. Church music is a particular area of interest, and I enjoy learning the opinions of others on the topic. Thanks in advance!

Brad


1. How long have you attended church?

2. What is the predominant style of music sung at your church (hymns or worship choruses)?

3. The author of the book, "The New Worship," refers to hymns as "stars," or songs with more lasting impact, and worship choruses as "fireworks," or songs with a more immediate, fleeting impact. Do you agree with these definitions? Why or why not?

4. Do traditional hymns have any place in today's "modern" worship?

5. Does your church use hymnals,"projected" words, or a combination of both?

6. Are there advantages to using hymnals? Disadvantages?

7. Many churches are now conducting services with two distinct approaches, contemporary and traditional. Do you with agree with this approach to worship? Why or why not?

8. What is the main purpose of music in the church?
quote:
Originally posted by DEENALYNNE:
We go to a Baptist church. All they want to sing are the old hymns. Some of them are ok but most are not very inspiring to me. I like contemporary Christian much better. I feel more in tune with the music and can feel more inspired than by listening to some of that stuff that was written in the 1600 and 1700s.


While I understand your "in tune"ness with contemporary Christians music, I strongly disagree that many of the old hymns are not inspiring or uplifting. Many of the old hymns have powerful stories behind their words that many Contemporary don't have.

"It Is Well With My Soul" was written by a man who lost his family while on a ship in a storm. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Is_Well_With_My_Soul

"The Love Of God" was written by a man held in an insane asylum and was written on the walls. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/o/loveofgo.htm

"Amazing Grace" was written by John Newton, a man 'confused' about his faith http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace

"Just As I Am" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_As_I_Am_%28hymn%29


And many more like these have meaning and inspiration....
quote:
Originally posted by mylife6608:
Hi everyone!
I am a professor of music at Mid-South Christian College in Memphis, Tennessee, and I am interested in getting some opinions for an article I am writing on church music. From reading the discussions, I am sensing the same trend among church-goers that I discuss in my class on church music, namely the hymns vs. worship chorus debate.

For those who wish to participate in the survey, please copy the following questions, paste them in a Microsoft Word document, answer the question and email to: mylife6608@aol.com

I will also continue to read this discussion and make comments. Church music is a particular area of interest, and I enjoy learning the opinions of others on the topic. Thanks in advance!

Brad


1. How long have you attended church?

2. What is the predominant style of music sung at your church (hymns or worship choruses)?

3. The author of the book, "The New Worship," refers to hymns as "stars," or songs with more lasting impact, and worship choruses as "fireworks," or songs with a more immediate, fleeting impact. Do you agree with these definitions? Why or why not?

4. Do traditional hymns have any place in today's "modern" worship?

5. Does your church use hymnals,"projected" words, or a combination of both?

6. Are there advantages to using hymnals? Disadvantages?

7. Many churches are now conducting services with two distinct approaches, contemporary and traditional. Do you with agree with this approach to worship? Why or why not?

8. What is the main purpose of music in the church?


I've attended church all of my life -- over 30 years. I do not really care for some of the contemporary music, but a few of the praise songs are good. My home church uses the Hymnal or another Southern Gospel book like the red Church Hymnal and the Mull books. They don't use any projectors etc. Other churches I have attended do use them both. I disagree with churches holding 2 services to cater to the masses -- mix it together, but when you use two different approaches you are dividing the church more because you get the "us vs. them" mentality. I think churches should find a happy medium when it comes to music and then have a firecracker of a preacher to bring it on home.

My dad is a preacher -- been in the ministry for over 40 years -- and he says that every pastor needs a good song leader because that is the man/woman that prepares the congregation for preacher...they are the appetizer to his meat and potatoes...a song leader can make it easier on the preacher or harder depending on his desire to truly minister to the people. Not too mention, many times people come to church for the music and that can keep them for the Word...
"It is Well with My Soul" is my most favorite hymn. I have requested that it be sung as a congregational hymn at my funeral (hopefully it will be a long timeSmiler

I am Church of Christ so we don't have piano, organ, bands etc... I recently attended a children's program at a local Baptist church and during the singing the accompanying music was so loud you couldn't hear the words of the song being sung. You could barely hear the song leader and he had a microphone. I was very disappointed. All that extra was very distracting.

I love the old hymns and also the new praise and worship songs. The Christian Center at UNA will host "Songs of Summer" every Sunday night at 7:30 and 8:30. Congregations from all over North Alabama and south Tennessee participate in these sessions. On the last Sunday in July they will have a "finale" that is usually held at Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ - Come by and listen to some beautiful songs and voices.
quote:
Originally posted by mylife6608:
Hi everyone!
I am a professor of music at Mid-South Christian College in Memphis, Tennessee, and I am interested in getting some opinions for an article I am writing on church music. From reading the discussions, I am sensing the same trend among church-goers that I discuss in my class on church music, namely the hymns vs. worship chorus debate.

For those who wish to participate in the survey, please copy the following questions, paste them in a Microsoft Word document, answer the question and email to: mylife6608@aol.com

I will also continue to read this discussion and make comments. Church music is a particular area of interest, and I enjoy learning the opinions of others on the topic. Thanks in advance!

Brad


1. How long have you attended church?

2. What is the predominant style of music sung at your church (hymns or worship choruses)?

3. The author of the book, "The New Worship," refers to hymns as "stars," or songs with more lasting impact, and worship choruses as "fireworks," or songs with a more immediate, fleeting impact. Do you agree with these definitions? Why or why not?

4. Do traditional hymns have any place in today's "modern" worship?

5. Does your church use hymnals,"projected" words, or a combination of both?

6. Are there advantages to using hymnals? Disadvantages?

7. Many churches are now conducting services with two distinct approaches, contemporary and traditional. Do you with agree with this approach to worship? Why or why not?

8. What is the main purpose of music in the church?


Welcome to TD Forums, Brad. Smiler

1. 40 years

2. We do both hymns and contemporary worship songs.

3. No. It is possible to worship with any style of Christian music. Worship is not dependent on the style of music. You will worship when you focus on God, which is both immediate and lasting. As you empty yourself of self and allow God to fill you with His goodness, you are renewed. Sometimes His presence is so strong that I think surely I could reach out and feel something solid.

4. Of course.

5. Both.

6. Well, I read music. So I suppose if it is a song I have never heard, seeing the notes would be helpful, but it's not necessary for me to worship of course, which is the point. I think "power point" is helpful for those who move or raise their hands when they worship.

7. Yes, because no age group and their needs should be ignored. Love one another.

8. Music is the universal language. It's a way for many hearts to combine to praise God. I have sang Christian songs in my language as others sing the same song in their language (Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian). Music allowed us to overcome the language barrier & worship together as one. Music is a beautiful gift.

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