Christian Music

[bboop]

I’m with OhioBob – I like my sacred music sacred. There is awesome Christian Rock out here in LA, with the studio musicians etc. But honestly, it is like going to a Rock Concert. Not very reverential, to me, and quite on the emotional end of things. I LOVE the Old Hymns, but cannot seem to find them at any church. OK, the churches that ‘do’ the Old Hymns mix the mediocre with the Wesley ones. PromiseKeepers has done some great Old Hymns in guitar mode, which are wonderful. I have such a hard time, tho, with Rock and Roll worship, jeans and tshirts, the whole Rock Concert mentality. And, as a musician, I find only about 5% of the music really well written, complex, interesting musically.

I thot I was the only one on the planet…

 

[ppolz]

christian rock is great. i dont think any of it though belongs in a church. its very distracting.

 

[Cat]

Ppolz, you have made one of the wisest comments I have heard in a long time about Christian rock music! Hooray for you!

I think one of the biggest problems churches have is with “appropriateness.”

I agree that any music that tells people about Jesus or helps them draw closer to Him is probably worthy of respect.

But it is not all appropriate for church, especially a Catholic Mass!

I think that if a music minister or director is worried that a certain piece of music or performer will “disturb” some of the church members just because of the style of the music or the appearance of the musician, than he or she should avoid using that piece or performer in a church setting. Save it for the appropriate time.

After all, why be a rabble-rouser? Why do it just because you have the freedom to do it? Why make a statement at someone else’s expense? It’s not caving in to pressure from weak Christians–it’s showing love to weak Christians. If that person who was disturbed by the music was your grandma, you would probably stop playing it while she was around, hopefully. Then why not consider all the people who might get “offended” as “your grandma,” and be considerate of their feelings?

Frankly, the last thing I want to hear in church, especially Mass, is more of the same kind of music that I can hear (very loudly) while driving down the street. I don’t care if Jesus is mentioned in every other sentence. Save it for the rock concert or the music festival.

 

[parishminister]

Well, it depends. I am not a fan of heavy metal, rap or hip-hop music, regardless of lyrical content. Other than that, I am a huge fan of CCM. Take my youth group to Christian music concerts and shows at least twice a year (we just went to a Christian music event in June at the Six Flags amusement park near here). Not sure I understand the post about the music being trite, I guess that would mean you don’t like any kind of music (as CCM embraces all genres). And on July 17, I will be in the 4th row for Michael W. Smith, Mercy Me and the David Crowder Band!
If you have the choice between a secular radio station and one that plays Christian music, why would you ever choose the former? Listening to CCM in the car certainly helps ease the mood caused by sitting in traffic jams and inconsiderate drivers . And if the lyrics aren’t always directly talking about God and Jesus, at least it will never make you think twice about “what did they just say?”

I agree that it isn’t always appropriate for Mass (or any church service for that matter). It is, however, always more appropriate than say, hearing Nelly’s “HOT in Herre” being played at a Catholic middle school dance .

Peace…

 

[SwissGuard]

Unfortunately, I can’t say I’m a big fan in general. Don’t get me wrong, there are various songs, artists, etc. that I enjoy when I happen to hear it…but I have to be in the right mood to truly appreciate it. It definitely doesn’t work for me all of the time.

 

[kayla]

Charolet Church …“Voice of an Angel” my very favorite song “Ava Maria” second to The Lord is my Shepard…her voice takes my breath away.

God Bless,
Kayla

 

[A.Pelliccio]

I reall dont like Christian music, I love the hymns but thats mass. Hope no one looks down on me but I love Metal. Metallica, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead, AC/DC, things like that.

 

[bwv_1080]

I find it amusing that Evangelicals, having rid themselves of all “vain repetition” in their prayer have put it back in their music in spades.

 

[mango_2003]

A.Pelliccio:

I reall dont like Christian music, I love the hymns but thats mass. Hope no one looks down on me but I love Metal. Metallica, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead, AC/DC, things like that.

Oh…don’t get me wrong…I LOVE metal. Metal rocks.

Actually…I like almost all music. Music is a passion of mine.

~mango~