What Music Should Be Used in Worship Part II
In the last Mainspring I cited an article from The Parish Paper on the issue of hymn preferences. Below is the concluding part that will hopefully bring further light on the issue of church music. The article continues, and I quote: "90% of non-declining Protestant congregations report three hymn-type preferences among worshipers born after 1945. Finding names that communicate these three hymn-types…is difficult.
The following at least attempts that feat:
- 1st Generation Contemporary: Modern Praise Songs, written in the 1960-1978 era. Examples: "They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love" (1966); "Father, I Adore You" (1972); "He Has Made Me Glad" (1976).
- 2nd Generation Contemporary: Restorational Praise & Worship Songs, written in the 1978-1995 era. Examples: "I Love You,Lord" (1978); "Majesty, Worship His Majesty" (1981); "Shine Jesus Shine" (1987).
- 3rd Generation Contemporary: Missional Worship Songs, written 1995-present. Examples: "Lord Reign in Me" (1998); "Here I Am to Worship" (2000); "How Great Is Our God" (2004).
Some 75% of mainline Protestant worshipers born since 1946 prefer 2nd Generation & 3rd Generation Contemporary. For most worshipers born after 1964, 2nd & 3rd Generation Contemporary (written from 1978-present) are as integral to their worship experience as were the old gospel hymns to worshipers born before 1927.
So, should mainline churches sing all three types of praise songs? To avoid gradually declining membership over the next decade, congregations must consciously decide to provide worship experiences that match the spiritual preferences of young-adult age groups. Music may not determine the people a church effectively reaches, but music choices determine the people a church CAN NOT reach. Churches that sing 3rd Generation Contemporary may still fail to reach age-14 to age-40 young adults. But churches that refuse to include the music that most effectively connects with people of that age guarantee that the will NOT see many of them in worship each week."
Well, all this has the feeling of nuts 'n bolts, doesn't it. But these are important considerations -- every church must consider them as they address/develop their respective music programs. It's no different for us at FUMC. The issues raised by The Parish Paper need our consideration. Addressing them is an unenviable task. Yet we must try.
The bottom line is this. Martin Luther said, "Next to the Word of God, music is most high in the kingdom of heaven." Music enlivens the congregation, is brings community together. Yet to do that, as effectively as possible, we must consider a wide variety of music types which have emerged from and through each generation. If we do that worship will be more meaningful for all, worship attendance will increase with its attendant conversions and, by considering more carefully the music tastes of those between ages 18-44 young adults, we will increase the likelihood of health and strength over the next 25 years.
So you see it is a tight-rope to walk -- carefully. But walk it we must. If you would like the entire article I invite you to contact the Church Office and request a copy -- or go to http://www.theparishpaper.com/webfm_send/58.
See you Sunday,
E. Taveirne