What kind of church music really inspires you?

[Bob Evans]

My church has changed to primarily contemporary choruses. It was hard for me at first but I have grown to love them and even humm them as I drive my car on my appointed rounds. I do stuggle to learn the melody because my wife sings alto on the praise team and that is my primary repitive exposure to the music. However, I have managed to overcome all these barriers and gain a new appreciation for the genre.

Today was a special day for music at our church. We sang some of my favorite choruses, took the offering, heard a sermon, had a healing service, and took communion. The praise team then gathered at the front and I saw the key boaed player slide over to the pipe organ. Something special was about to occur.

Much to my delight sang "and can it be" with pipe organ and key modulation between the third and the forth verse. It really struck a cord with me and made me want to go out and win the world for Jesus.

What kind of music inspires you?

[Sharon Isley]

All kinds, all styles, I find inspiring. It seems they all fit a certain mood, or a specific need at any one time. I have a variety of styles that I will play at home, depending on what I'm needing at any given time.

Traditional, majestic hymns are great when I'm feeling quiet, and interspective. They help me have a sense of the awesomeness of God.

Quiet, gentle hymns are great when I'm feeling tense and need to calm my nerves.

Contemporary choruses are great praise music.

And when I just feel like having fun, much of the music my teens listen to is great.

When I struggle with pain, or a lack of faith, music from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir is my first choice. The style aside, there is a real power in their ministry.

[Stan Hall]

I too like a wide variety of music. Our praise team does a mix of traditional hymns and contemporary music. But for real inspiration, there's nothing like rip-roaring pipe organ. (Too bad our church is too small to have one!)

[Bob Williams]

I prefer the more traditional type music where I am familiar with the tune. I can get into a worshipful atmosphere faster with the regular hymns than any other type of music. I think I would enjoy the contemporary a lot more if there were a way to post the music rather than just the words. We sing a lot of new songs and they are really hard to learn without any music to look at. Our church uses a blend of both types and it serves a broad range of worshippers.

[Judy Engel]

I am alot like Sharon. Songs will pop into my head at different times depending on what is going on at that moment or time in my life. I grew up singing hymns and love them but the new worship "hymns" are powerful too. I have tried to teach my kids to appreciate a song for what it says rather than to discard it because it isn't a favorite genre. Little else can stir the soul like "It is Well" or "How Great Thou Art" but along with that I am stirred by the song "How Great is Our God". If you're not sure which one that is, I'll try to post it....for me it is just as powerful as "How Great Thou Art" It isn't the style for me, it is the message of the song (except for country music.....can only handle about 5 minutes of it at a time....sorry if you're a fan!)