I don't miss the hymns.
And it is not the reason that you think.
They never left me.
As a former senior pastor, I can tell you that people complained to me a lot about the lack of hymns during the worship services. Honestly, it was tiring. It was wearing. It was annoying. I don't miss it at all.
I now attend a church that sings songs that are consistently more recent. I don't mind it at all. As many of you know, I have always been a "next generation" type of guy and I am always in favor in doing what attracts the unbelieving 20-something into the church.
Since music is consistently an attractive mechanism, I like hearing music that the 20-something connects with. It is not necessarily because I like the music (though more often than not, I do), but because I like watching young people worship God with everything they've got. To me, that is exciting!
Don't misunderstand me though. I love the hymns. I grew up with them. Some I like because they bring back memories of when my faith was new. Some I like because they are powerful communicators of truth.
But, I don't miss them. I still have them. And I sing them. A lot. They are a part of my personal worship every day. Every day! I sing them out loud and boldly. Ask Dondra. She will tell you. On any given morning, you might hear me belting A Mighty Fortress Is Our God or Holy! Holy! Holy! or Blessed Assurance.
I will always have them, because I have disciplined myself to memorize the words. As a result, they are saturating my soul. Interestingly, I find them more powerful than ever.
Remember, the church is not about you. It is about mission. In that sense, I think we should always be looking of how to effectively reach the next generation and not get stuck on how we used to do it, or even worse, on the way I like it.
I will offer one word of encouragement to pastors and worship leaders. Throw a hymn (or a Christmas Carol) in there once in a while. The reason why is not to appease us older folks, but because of the phenomena it creates. I have noticed that it brings the seasoned saints alive during the worship and they sing with gusto because it is something they recognize.
Literally, I have observed a spark that we older folks need from time to time. It is our testimony! And it is worth the younger folks hearing it. They may even discover why we love our old hymns. I believe that you will find it adds to the worship, not detract from it, and it will add to the participation of all involved.
Please feel free to respond!
Paul J. Decker
I love the old hymns.
Let the Spirit reveal the new song!
Don't be an old fogie.
For me, I like the new worship songs. I spent fifteen years worshipping in a Messianic congregation, and a lot of the songs created space in my heart to glorify G-d. If a new song is introduced it should be played more than just one week, so as to allow familiarity and there it is again a space to worship. Not on the same level as communion which is really special, but kind of the same
ReplyDeleteLove this! As part of our Bible curriculum this year, I am introducing a hymn a week to my kiddos. We are studying the words and they are being giving the opportunity to add songs to their own collections. And how wonderful it is that so many new-er artists have taken the hymns and changed them up just a bit to make them more accessible to my 10 year olds. <3
ReplyDeleteWonderfully said and so true!!!
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