I also think the Organ is God’s gift to awesome, but that’s just me.

…Big Mac or Whopper ?

…Traditional or Contemporary…?

*Are our church services all about pleasing “us” and catering to “our” desires…???

~Just “Shouting Out” today !

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I know that’s not an option for a lot of churches, but it beats some situations in which “blended” worship tries to please everyone and ends up pleasing no one.

God created all music, didn’t he? We might not like it all, but as long as one’s heart is directed towards God and the lyrics are in line with Scripture, I believe it is ALL pleasing to Him.

Different worship services are only as divisive as we let them be.

Here’s my point in asking questions that give my opinions:
Adding services and lasers and other elements is always done in the name of “improving worship.” I know this is usually done in all sincerity…but the question is: is it necessary? Is it really improving our worship? And if we answer, “Yes,” then does that mean we have better worship than the first century church? We may not be trying to one-up our early brethren, but that’s basically what we are saying when we try to “improve” worship with stuff and styles.

We have begun to think that our quality of worship is determined by the feelings we come away with rather than by the sincerity and devotion to God we bring into it. We can only truly improve worship by improving our relationship with God. Stronger faith, deeper devotion, and greater knowledge of our Creator and His Will are better improvements than the stuff we dream up. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” [James 4:8]

Look, if you ever heard this pastor sing “Glorious” it takes the term “contemporary” back to the dark ages. I ran kicking and screaming like the place wasn’t going up in glorious holy smoke.

Speaking of smoke – do you know where we can get one of those machines? I’d like to start my own church and call it “Holy Smoke!” If we can’t find one of those machines, I know a group of guys that just hangs out and smokes cigars that play in a worship band so I guess we could use them instead.

If you love hymns (done right) then let me suggest Matt Boswell’s “Vintage” – a great CD! I still say box up the hard bounds and breathe some new life in them.

Great post Jon.

I understand your thought process here and at first glance it makes sense. The problem with that is that we live and serve multi-generational communities. If we focused on a “Traditional” style of service our church would die out within the next 20 or so years because no one is coming to it. I think the church needs to be on the forefront of recognizing the needs of it’s constituency and responding accordingly. In that case, I offer a “Traditional” service for my ages(approximately) 50+ and maybe something “contemporary” for my 30+ people. Then maybe I need to get a “young adult” type servcie for the 18+. Most churches have childrens and youth ministries that are totally different than “Big Church” and for reason. The different style services for adults is just an exapnsion of that concept. I think the LEADER should do what you have suggested and just focus on being what God has called him or her to be. So for one “style” you may have one leader and another for a different “style” of service. Am I makin any sense here?

-John Hall
Fresno, CA

Actually really the only reason I decided to comment is the fact that I was listening to Viva la Vida right when i read that line, and it made me laugh.. heh.

Other than that, I have to say, it’s a very “relevant” post.