Church music

[Jim Franklin]

My favorite Christian rock song is "Rock of Ages." That's the only one I know.

[Paul DeBaufer]

(Might as well start to repopulate some of these discussions. )

I'm part of the group that puts music together for the local Sunday morning worship service. There seems to be gaps in the emphasis of contemporary "church music." For example, last week's sermon was from the Beatitudes -- "Blessed are the merciful ..." We could find multiple songs about God's mercy to us, but where are the songs about showing mercy to others?

The old gospel songs are all about how I got saved and life is wonderful. The old and new hymns are songs of praise and worship directed from me toward God. There seems to be almost nothing about loving others in tangible ways. We keep coming back to "Go Light Your World," but it's getting a little worn. The hymnal has a couple of attempts to put new words to old tunes -- "Let Your Heart Be Broken," for example. But where is the playlist of contemporary songs appropriate for congregational singing that talk about rejoicing with those who rejoice, mourning with those who mourn, and walking together on this spiritual journey?

I see the emphasis on community in the emerging church but I'm not finding the songs that support that emphasis. Do we come together and sing only songs of how great God is to me? Are there no new "bind us together," "make us one," and "show a little kindness" songs?

I look through the CCLI top 25 and don't find a single song that has to do with community, fellowship, and service to each other. What am I missing?

The worship leader for our non-traditional second service, when he cannot find a song to go with the sermon he will write one. He writes excellent songs, has 2 CDs out and another in production. We are a very small church and lucky to have Doug who is so talented and only wants to use those talents for the Lord.

[Cynthia Prentice]

s

It's another verse of the "never good enough" song that is sung over and over in the church. Did the composer do a survey of everyone in the church before dismissing the entire Christian community as failing to reach out in the name of Jesus? Are we really doing so little?

It turns out it doesn't matter to people who sing this song how much ministry is happening. However much you're praying, reading your Bible, attending church, hanging out with nonChristians (while, of course, never missing a church event), witnessing, defending the helpless, anointing the wounds of the hurting, and giving to the needy -- regardless of the sacrifice you're making -- it's never as much as you would need to do to see the results God wants to give. I lived many years in the land of "never good enough," where the words "This is my child in whom I am well pleased" are never heard. I refuse to dwell there any longer. Rather, I embrace the thought I trace back to George MacDonald: God is never satisfied to leave us where we are, but He is easily pleased by the efforts we make.

I hesitate to confess it because I don't want anyone to think I don't value their music suggestions, but if you were to walk into a music practice at my church and suggest that maybe we should add some Casting Crowns music to our repertoire, all eyes would turn to me and people would soon be rolling on the floor with laughter. I don't know how many times I've been prodded by someone "pushing my buttons" into explaining my prejudice against that one group among all the many artists in the CCM community. However, I'll admit to only knowing the one song well -- "If We Are the Body." I once heard another shaming song on the radio and guessed correctly that it was Casting Crowns before the artist was identified but I'll admit to not being at all familiar with the rest of their songs and am willing to look at some of those suggested here.

Marsha

Wow Marsha...after reading your response I guess it is a good thing I've got that Calm Anchor.

[Hans Deventer]

My favorite Christian rock song is "Rock of Ages." That's the only one I know.

Well, you might want to start from here:
Larry Norman, the godfather of Christian Rock.

[Billy Cox]

It's another verse of the "never good enough" song that is sung over and over in the church. Did the composer do a survey of everyone in the church before dismissing the entire Christian community as failing to reach out in the name of Jesus? Are we really doing so little?

It turns out it doesn't matter to people who sing this song how much ministry is happening. However much you're praying, reading your Bible, attending church, hanging out with nonChristians (while, of course, never missing a church event), witnessing, defending the helpless, anointing the wounds of the hurting, and giving to the needy -- regardless of the sacrifice you're making -- it's never as much as you would need to do to see the results God wants to give. I lived many years in the land of "never good enough," where the words "This is my child in whom I am well pleased" are never heard. I refuse to dwell there any longer. Rather, I embrace the thought I trace back to George MacDonald: God is never satisfied to leave us where we are, but He is easily pleased by the efforts we make.

I hesitate to confess it because I don't want anyone to think I don't value their music suggestions, but if you were to walk into a music practice at my church and suggest that maybe we should add some Casting Crowns music to our repertoire, all eyes would turn to me and people would soon be rolling on the floor with laughter. I don't know how many times I've been prodded by someone "pushing my buttons" into explaining my prejudice against that one group among all the many artists in the CCM community. However, I'll admit to only knowing the one song well -- "If We Are the Body." I once heard another shaming song on the radio and guessed correctly that it was Casting Crowns before the artist was identified but I'll admit to not being at all familiar with the rest of their songs and am willing to look at some of those suggested here.

Thank you, thank you thank you!! When I hear people gushing about how great Casting Crowns is, I'm just insecure enough to think that *I* might be the one without a clue.

It's encouraging to hear someone else express an unpopular opinion with which I happen to agree.