Christian Contemporary Music as an Ecumenical Tool

[Tannhauser_1509]

I often struggle with reckoning the value of contemporary Christian music. In my own former non-denominational culture, I did not find that profound theology and an electric guitar went well together. These days, I avoid listening to that style of worship altogether, mostly because it relies too heavily on an emotional engagement (of which I can offer little), and it is not very spiritually edifying for me.

That’s a little personal background, but now to my question: Is a transition to casual worship an ecumenical tool worth pursuing? I personally don’t think it is; I would be the first to endorse the prohibition of it in all Catholic worship settings. (It’s hard to qualify what I mean by “casual,” but the word, for me, strikes an image of a rock band; think Chris Tomlin, or Casting Crowns.) Thoughts? I hate to be so condemning; maybe someone can offer some gentler insight.

 

[Lily_Bernans]

I often struggle with reckoning the value of contemporary Christian music. In my own former non-denominational culture, I did not find that profound theology and an electric guitar went well together. These days, I avoid listening to that style of worship altogether, mostly because it relies too heavily on an emotional engagement (of which I can offer little), and it is not very spiritually edifying for me.

That’s a little personal background, but now to my question: Is a transition to casual worship an ecumenical tool worth pursuing? I personally don’t think it is; I would be the first to endorse the prohibition of it in all Catholic worship settings. (It’s hard to qualify what I mean by “casual,” but the word, for me, strikes an image of a rock band; think Chris Tomlin, or Casting Crowns.) Thoughts? I hate to be so condemning; maybe someone can offer some gentler insight.

I really don’t like it, either. I much prefer music that is more traditional. I, too, would endorse its prohibition at Mass, but it does draw the younger people in, so it’s not all bad.

 

[spedteacherita]

I often struggle with reckoning the value of contemporary Christian music. In my own former non-denominational culture, I did not find that profound theology and an electric guitar went well together. These days, I avoid listening to that style of worship altogether, mostly because it relies too heavily on an emotional engagement (of which I can offer little), and it is not very spiritually edifying for me.

That’s a little personal background, but now to my question: Is a transition to casual worship an ecumenical tool worth pursuing? I personally don’t think it is; I would be the first to endorse the prohibition of it in all Catholic worship settings. (It’s hard to qualify what I mean by “casual,” but the word, for me, strikes an image of a rock band; think Chris Tomlin, or Casting Crowns.) Thoughts? I hate to be so condemning; maybe someone can offer some gentler insight.

When I attended Concordia (Lutheran) College back in the 80’s I learned that initially churches did not use musical instruments and were considered secular in nature. What I remember was that the use of organs was generally for entertainment and the churches fought their use for worship.

I found this information:

churchmusic.ca/ORG3.html

I find the Lutheran hymns in our hymnals speak to my emotions, too. Music does that to me. I’ve spent the last couple of years attending a Lutheran church which used contemporary music pretty much exclusively because they were new and had not been able to buy hymnals. I’m fairly conservative in my worship and loved the use of this music during the services.

I also listen to contemporary music in my car and on Pandora in my house. It keeps my focus on Christ and many of the songs are based on Biblical scripture so I’m fed spiritually while I’m out on the road or working in my house.

I love our hymns in our hymnal and look forward to singing them as well.

God bless!

Rita

 

[Tannhauser_1509]

When I attended Concordia (Lutheran) College back in the 80’s I learned that initially churches did not use musical instruments and were considered secular in nature. What I remember was that the use of organs was generally for entertainment and the churches fought their use for worship.

That’s a neat fact. I never knew that. But now it makes sense why Gregorian chant has been so stringently developed and preserved in the Church: it takes us back to our roots. I have a feeling, however, that the Church did not assimilate the use of the organ in an effort to keep with the times. As the article said, the process of building and installing an organ was a large monetary investment as well as a rigorous endeavor to play it. It wasn’t the “music of the common man,” per se; so I note a difference there against what we see in casual evangelical services today. Would you agree? The Church exercised discernment when they began to use the organ, just as any community serious about the worship of their deity would do.

Thanks for bringing that piece of history to my attention.