Your Worship

[brianmidwest]

There are many of the new songs that I like, but just don't seem to fit into the idea of people singing as mode of worship. Maybe it changes from church to church. I love "Exceeding Joy" and it's pretty easy to sing. But "This is the air I breath..." seems to have little real substance. (Not that there are MANY in the old hyman that didn't mean a great deal either)

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by brianmidwest

There are many of the new songs that I like, but just don't seem to fit into the idea of people singing as mode of worship. Maybe it changes from church to church. I love "Exceeding Joy" and it's pretty easy to sing. But "This is the air I breath..." seems to have little real substance. (Not that there are MANY in the old hyman that didn't mean a great deal either)

Yeah... That song is old.

One of the reasons I keep adding fresh new songs is because, often, a song will speak so clearly to the time and day it was written in but what speaks to us today may seem oddly out of touch a little farther down the road.

I remember when Breathe came out. It was a great song. I still like it but it seems cumbersome to sing now. Forced some how.

So it's time to move on. Of course always keep those sings in the arsenal because you never know when it will fit the message or the flow of the spirit moving in any given service. You have to be able to adapt to what God is doing.

But keeping new and fresh songs coming in and slowly leaving the songs from months gone by behind is an important process in my opinion.

Per my schema keeping a continual shuffling going on allows for adaptation of the music program to the ever moving flow of God on a service by service, day by day, month by month and year by year basis. To fail to do so often leaves us forcing the move of God to continually fit within a more narrow worship mindset.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by brianmidwest

I was wondering how many of us use what you would consider more contemporary music versus those of have stuck with the more traditional hymns. For those using the newer music, do you find the congregation to be singing less and watching more? I guess maybe I just sing so badly that I can't figure the new stuff out!

I prefer to worship God to songs that are presented in a way that encourages worship-- whether they are old or new.

It's in the presentation-- I notice the spectator syndrome when worship songs are performed in a way that showcases the talents and skills of the performers more than lead others into worship.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

What are some examples of the songs you are talking about?

We use almost exclusively contemporary songs and they have some powerful things to say.

Well, at the moment, I can't remember the names of some of those songs I mentioned that repeat words over and over. I just know I've heard them. Of course, many of the "old" songs did do the same thing. I agree that God's Not Dead "died" a long time ago LOL!

I think a mixture of old and new, and not too much repetition is the perfect mix for worship.

[CC1]

I enjoy many of the contemporary praise and worship songs HOWEVER many of the songs are so mediocre it is sad. The tunes are forgettable, there are no musical hooks, and they try to cram a ton of lyrics into each song.

I find many of the songs have good meaning in the lyrics but are not good musicaly. Everybody thinks they are a songwriter!

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by CC1

I enjoy many of the contemporary praise and worship songs HOWEVER many of the songs are so mediocre it is sad. The tunes are forgettable, there are no musical hooks, and they try to cram a ton of lyrics into each song.

I find many of the songs have good meaning in the lyrics but are not good musicaly. Everybody thinks they are a songwriter!

What are some song examples to demonstrate what you are saying.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

What are some song examples to demonstrate what you are saying.

Probably well over half the contemporary praise and worship songs I hear at church. I can't think of titles right now (that is how forgettable they are) but will try to over time and post some.

It will actually be easier to post the ones I think excel. Like Revelation song, and a few others that come to mind that I don't know the titles to but think are powerful and well written.

[brianmidwest]

My thinking is that I would rather have the congregation worship with singing rather than watching people (or a team of people) worship in their singing. If people are putting out songs as a way to make money or just to have another song, it becomes pretty obvious. It's not a matter of old versus new or style versus style. But I am looking for songs to use in worship that are: 1. Dedicated to Jesus and worship Him. 2. Scripturally accurate and can teach us truths through the song 3. Within the grasp of most of the congregation to sing and 4. That are attractive both musically and lyrically. I think I may be asking too much.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

What are some song examples to demonstrate what you are saying.

Digging4bones,

Rather than try to remember the names of the majority of the current praise and worship songs which I think are very mediocre here are some that over the years stand out in my mind. I find them very powerful and they always usher in the presence of God it seems;

1. For Every Mountain
2. Revelation Song
3. Mercy Seat
4. Surely the Presence
5. Jesus - There's just something about That Name
6. Awesome God
7. Healer In The House
8. I Can Only Imagine
9. Shout To The Lord
10. How Great Is Our God

There are a bunch more but I am brain dead today and I will post more as I think of them.

[KeptByTheWord]

Some other songs that are timeless are Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art.. there are more still trying to think of the names...