Today’s churches are having a find time holding onto their worship leaders, and at times it seems that every song rubs someone the wrong way. Why is this?
Kenny Lamm, the Worship Consultant for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, has this to say about the situation:
“Take a look at this excerpt from an U.S newspaper objecting to the new trends in church music:
There are several reasons for opposing it.
One, it’s too new.
Two, it’s often worldly, even blasphemous.
The new Christian music is not as pleasant as the more established style.
Because there are so many songs, you can’t learn them all.
It puts too much emphasis on instrumental music rather than Godly lyrics.
This new music creates disturbances making people act indecently and disorderly.
The preceding generation got along without it.
It’s a money making scene and some of these new music upstarts are lewd and loose.
Does this sound like some of the “fan” mail you receive the week after you have pushed the envelope in worship with some new worship songs?
This was written by a pastor in 1723 attacking Isaac Watts, the writer of great hymns like When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Joy to the World, and O God, Our Help in Ages Past.
You see, “worship wars” are nothing new to our decade. As long as we have had organized church and people with personal preferences, there has been conflict. As
James 4:1 says,
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle with you?”
Until we reach Heaven, people will always find a reason to bicker with one another about one issue or another. Unfortunately, this “Worship War” mentality can inhibit God’s praises in far too many churches today.
So what can we do about it? I love to see different generations setting their differences aside and coming together to praise the name of Jesus as one body – united in heart and in spirit.
One incredible example is the recent album by Travis Cottrell, The Reason, where he sings several praise songs alongside his own daughter, Lily Cottrell. This father/daughter duo set a breathtaking example for the rest of us. We’re really not so different. We all want to praise God in spirit and in truth, and when we do work together wonderful things can happen.
Take a minute to listen to the following video of this family team singing What a Beautiful Name, and you’ll see what I mean:
Isn’t it beautiful to see different generations coming together to praise God with one united voice? I imagine this is just a hint of what Heaven will be like – where people of every tribe, nation, and tongue (and yes – of every age) – will come together and finally praise the LORD of hosts with one voice.
Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the hype (or the burden) of worrying about those who insist on waging a “Worship War” in your church. Focus on the name of Jesus (and what a Beautiful Name it is!) and let’s heal our Generation Gap… one song at a time.
The Artistic Christian 
Amen!!
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I grew up singing with my dad in our church band, and today I still sing at church, I’ve seen many people close their hearts to worship thinking they are being righteous when really they are just closing their hearts from receiving what God wants to give them through a particular song. Our God is diverse, and worship, from the heart, is beautiful to Him. Great post.
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I couldn’t agree more! I grew up singing with my parents in nursing home and also singing modern songs with the youth group, so I’ve always loved both styles. Listening for God’s voice is what matters, and the musical background is really secondary…thanks for sharing!
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So true! And sadly, one of the most divisive topics in churches is worship music style. Sigh. It’s so important that we remember that God looks on the heart… we worship Him in spirit. And that can be done through a variety of music styles. Great post! God bless you!
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Absolutely – I can’t wait to see the shocked look on thousands of faces when we sing new songs in Heaven!
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Jesus…. What a beautiful name! Awesome thoughts.
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Amen to that!
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Beautiful and spirit-filled music. Best of all are the many faces of all ages singing together. I began in a large traditional Main-Line Protestant church with a glorious choir singing the Alleluia Chorus on Christmas Eve. Now I’m in a small church that once was larger and more traditional that has moved on to including music of many forms in its worship. I love breathing in something new in my elder years. I feel that God has blessed me.
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I feel the same way each time I hear a new song or even an older song sung in a new way. It really does breathe fresh life into our faith!
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Great post! I loved the video also. Thanks for sharing. Isn’t it interesting that one of the biggest areas of contention in church is worship? Considering that Satan was the leader of worship in heaven, and cast out because of his pride, it doesn’t surprise me that a similar situation always has and still presents itself in the church. Something to think about. 😉
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This is such a great point! I think genuine praise bothers our enemy, so he does all he can to cheapen it. It’s time we fight back! Thanks for your thoughts!
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