Loud is not a Melody

[eliskimo]

There was a beer commercial fairly recently which used the phrase "good as cold ever tasted". Critics pointed out that "cold is not a flavour." I think I could make a similar statement about why praise band style "contemporary" worship does not appeal to me: "loud" is not a melody

Comments

[tsuki_saera]

First off, you're not being difficult by not being able to "get into" the worship style of a particular church. You're allowed an opinion and preference. It's a style of music and presentation, and whether you find it appealing or not, like or dislike of such styles are completely subjective and opinion-based. The style of worship at that church just isn't one you can connect with, and that is far different from being difficult.

I'm not a fan of the praise band contemporary 'modern' service styles and music either. It just all seems like too much emphesis put on sound and movement, with very little for serenity and reflection. Personally I find that generally frustrating. It's one of the reasons I stopped going to the PYPS (Presbyterian Young Peoples Society) retreats, and most of the Christian Fellowship meetings on campus.

[camillofan]

I've gone on the record (many times) with my feelings about contemporary worship (music in particular). Of course, lately I've been less dissatisfied with the music at my church, but that's probably because I'm back to being involved in song selection rather than because I've changed my attitude. I mean, now I've no one else to blame if I don't find the songs at least a bit more singable and textually strong

[aryanhwy]

I am totally sympathetic to your opinions about what passes as worship music in many churches nowadays. I go to church because I want to worship, not because I want to sing insipid and repetitive songs. I want the songs that I sing to be beautiful, and to have meaning. This was one thing that really made the service in Canterbury cathedral that I went to meaningful, that the focus of the music there was to glorify God, not to be easy to sing.

[forecast_eight]

wow. We've never talked about these things before to my recollection, but you have just listed most of the reasons why Amy and I attend an Episcopal church.

I've noticed the complaint of 'being tired of doing church' more frequently among people who attend non-liturgical churches. I think there might be some connection as the worship service is stripped of meaningful and interesting ritual and replace with something even more rote (as seasons are ignored) and also very lacking in richness.

[eliskimo]

No, we haven't talked about it I don't think.
I have blogged about it some before (for instance, here:
http://eliskimo.livejournal.com/108601.html ), but it's taken me three years and going through birth to talk you into an LJ ;)

[florentinescot]

raises hand in silent witness.

Preach it sister. I don't think endless repetition of a few phrases is what God had in mind as worship. "Vain words" is the phrase that comes to my mind.

I like meat in my preaching -- and I want meat in my music. I visited several churches here in Tifton before I found the one that I attend. The first 3 had good preaching, but all they sang was Praise Choruses. When I went into First, the congregation was singing "How Great Thou Art" ... all of the verses too.

I knew I was "home."

and LOUD is so not a style. IMO, when you alienate a segment of the congregation (in particular, the elderly) there is NO way that it can be pleasing to God!

[camillofan]

"...endless repetition of a few words..."

I think there's plenty wrong with the way contemporary music is done in the churches that use it (and I speak as one who serves in those particular trenches), but I have to say that in my experience the "nothing but a few repeated phrases" criticism applies much less now than it used to. I certainly remember that back in college (20-some years ago) our Christian group's songbook seemed to have lots of very short songs (often settings of a single verse of Scripture!) which were typically sung through, say, three times when we used them in worship. But many of the songs I wrestle with now on Sundays are much more thoroughly composed, with multiple verses that might share only a common chorus (but even "How Great Thou Art" has that structure).

I'd still rather be singing "My Song is Love Unknown" or "Rejoice! The Lord is King" (to name two favorite hymns) but that's a post for my own journal, and I've already made it too many times. :-)

[florentinescot]

oh, yeah -- I'm not talking about things like refrains, I'm talking about things like "You are my King" for 5 minutes ..... I don't really mind singing the same short song 2 or 3 times. It's when you get up to 10 or 15 (or more) times that I draw the line.

I don't know "My Song is Love Unknown," but I do like Rejoice! The Lord is King!"

[camillofan]

My Song is Love Unknown