Day 1 - It's Not About the Style

[twc_admin]

Today's lesson starts Week 7 of the "Pure Praise" study. The overall topic this week is "The Means" - Using our Tools Wisely.

Today's discussion centers on "style" ... and the reality that true worship is not based on musical "style".

Here's a few questions I'd like to ask as we reveal our thoughts on today's lesson:

1 - how does style enhance or detract from your worship
2 - what musical styles to you prefer?
3 - what musical styles to you dislike?
4 - are you capable of moving past the "style"?

Please share your thoughts on today's lesson.

[yod1948]

Today's discussion centers on "style" ... and the reality that true worship is not based on musical "style".

big AMEN to that!

In my opinion, it does seem like the typical christian-youth audience is more concerned with style over substance and their churches are enabling that by giving them what they want instead of what they need.

Here's a few questions I'd like to ask as we reveal our thoughts on today's lesson:

1 - how does style enhance or detract from your worship
2 - what musical styles to you prefer?
3 - what musical styles to you dislike?
4 - are you capable of moving past the "style"?

I shake my head as saints fight each other over hymns vs contemporary. Why can't we submit one to another and have both if there are people being blessed by either? Why can't we celebrate our differences and diversity instead of demanding uniformity of style?

While there is such a thing as appropriate cultural sensitivity in a particular place which may determine what the general style of our individual congregations might be, there should always be room for honoring saints of a different cultural background who might also attend or be visiting.

I have preferences like anyone else but worship isn't about pleasing me so I have never understood why anyone would be excluded by "style"? Will heaven be one "style" of worship music?

[ErikaMichelle]

Hey Everyone. I am sorry I didn't post last week. My husband and I found out we are having a baby and we were swamped with doctor's appointments. But I have been keeping up and the posts have been wonderful and insightful. Anyway, here are my thoughts on today's devotion:


1 - How does style enhance or detract from your worship? Personally, I don't like hard rock music, the kind where you can't understand the words. It is just a personal taste. Being honest, if that were the style of a worship service I attentded, I may have a hard time entering in b/c I don't like the style. HOWEVER, if the hearts of the musicians and the lyrics of the song were all about Jesus, then I probably would enter in. I think Mr. Moore is right on - It's not about style. It is all about the heart!!!

2 - I personally like Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, Israel, Brooklyn Tab, Big Daddy Weave, and Rita Springer to name a few. That is mostly what I listen to. However, I like Steve Fee and Sanctus Real. I try to be eclectic. I just love Praise and Worship music.

3 - Again, I don't like Hard Rock, so I probably wouldn't have any hard rock type worship on my iPod.

4 - I hope that I am capable of moving past "style". We often sing some of the wonderful old hymns and we often jazz up some of the newer praise and worship standards. Flow with the Spirit, go with the flow, keep an open mind, and a pure heart and we will never go wrong in our services.

[yod1948]

Originally Posted by ErikaMichelle

My husband and I found out we are having a baby

Mazel tov! (congratulations)



So when did he find out that he was having a baby?

8-)

[Maggievt]

This is a funny one for me, for, when I went to my first Service at the Church I am now a member of, several years ago, I came from a very traditional - choir-in-the-choirloft - kind of thing and thought I was going straight to hell when I saw electric guitars! Then, they played a song that spoke to me and I knew that I was home.

1 - how does style enhance or detract from your worship I try not to let it - I try to sing/pray the lyrics. I must admit to being in the category of finding it hard to pray to God when the lyrics are being yelled at me....but I have been to SoulFest enough to know that there is a huge group of younger people that just LOVE it that way!

2 - what musical styles to you prefer? Paul Baloche, Matt Maher, Matt Redman, Jars of Clay, tobymac, Casting Crowns - tons of stuff

3 - what musical styles to you dislike? stuff that is so loud it hurts my ears

4 - are you capable of moving past the "style"? when it hurts my ears, no - otherwise, I try really hard to go for the words of the song.

this is an area where I am really lucky - while my training is classical, I have sung/played/directed TONS of styles and there aren't many I don't like.

I find it interesting that of all of the means of delivering the musical message of Our God's glory, that style is first. It has made me think of how many times I KNOW style is an issue at my church; How many times has the message been lost due to music we choose - my Pastor, bless him, has really committed us to the path of edgier, newer music, really does not want a blended sound. I have often wondered if we are throwing the baby out with the bath water.
Perhaps, after this study, it may be time to reopen that discussion!
Maggie in freshly snowed Vermont

[ErikaMichelle]

Very funny, Yod. You know, he hates when I say "We are pregnant". He's not, I am!!! Thanks for the Mazel!

[hisfirewithin]

Originally Posted by twc_admin

Today's discussion centers on "style" ... and the reality that true worship is not based on musical "style".

Here's a few questions I'd like to ask as we reveal our thoughts on today's lesson:

1 - how does style enhance or detract from your worship
2 - what musical styles to you prefer?
3 - what musical styles to you dislike?
4 - are you capable of moving past the "style"?

Please share your thoughts on today's lesson.

1. In some ways, the style can kill it for me. I like it when Worship Leaders take a lyric and melody, and take total liberties with arrangements. I struggle to get into it when Worship Leaders don't put the effort into doing a song to re-arrange it. So, style is a part of it for me.

2. I appreciate a pretty wide range of music. I like instrumental rock, Lincoln Brewster, Some country, classic rock, hip-hop, soul, some worship stuff(Israel and New Breed, New Life Worship, Misty Edwards)

3. I think I pretty much dislike most Christian music, and that includes a lot of the worship stuff as well, even though I'm a worship leader. Go figure, eh? I just get frustrated by the lack of art and inspiration on most of the stuff that comes out of Nashville. Not to mention garbage emergent lyrical content.

4. I'm capable of moving past styles, if there's a genuine sense of real inspiration behind them. But if it comes off as contrived in any way, it turns me way off.

[Smitty]

I am most definitely a "contemporary" kind of WL, But I love hymns, and see the value and beauty in them.

I will take substance over style ANY day.

Smitty

[Smitty]

Oh Yeah...Congrats Erika!

Smitty

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

I listened to a CD someone gave me of a very backwoods, Southern country bluegrass group. The harmony was dreadful; the guitar and banjo pickin' was pretty good. The song that stood out the most was a testimony song, "That night old Jack Daniels met John 3:16."
I don't know if the performers were worshipping as they recorded the CD or not. I didn't find much in the lyrics that led me to worship.

Enough for my critique. I have heard Christian RAP, which isn't my style, but the words were right on the money scripturally. And I have listened to lovely choir music that said practically nothing.
I think the point of today's lesson is that God doesn't care what it sounds like; he listens to our heart.

God, no matter what style of song I offer up to you, let me sing it from my heart; not for its musicality, but as an offering to the One I worship and adore.