hi, i'd like to get peoples opinion on contemporary christian music.

as some of you might know, its become a big debate amongs the church now, at least where i come from. there are those conservatives who feel it has no place in the church, and there are the liberals who feel it should be welcome.

what do you think?

Hmm... personally, I'm not a big fan of CCM in a worship service. I prefer the old hymns and such. I'm not condemning CCM, though. The church I attend has CCM style worship every Sunday. I guess it depends on the church and the people who attend. If someone's not comfortable with the type of worship service, it's likely that they'll just find another one that they are comfortable with. It's the same thing with hand-raising during worship and such (but that's a whole 'nother debate! lol).

-Anonymous

I think that there are a few different types of music. (duh, but listen) There's music for pleasure and there's music for praise in the church. Like the time and place for everything, I think there is a time and place for CCM. I listen to it and I've recently been hooked on Plus One.

I agree.

-Anonymous

(like that's new!!! lol j/k j/k)

yeah, thats pretty much what i feel. but its sad to hear my friends say "hymns are boring/old fashioned"

have we lost our values?

QUOTE

have we lost our values?

No, just our sense of tradition. It's not necessarily a bad thing, though.

-Anonymous

Indeed. 'Tis true and right. It is tradition, and I don't know of any verse in the Bible that says CCM in the church is wrong...

QUOTE (mad max @ Oct 27 2004, 10:31 AM)

yeah, thats pretty much what i feel. but its sad to hear my friends say "hymns are boring/old fashioned"

This is our forefathers fault. I have been in some very passionate worship involving the hymns! Our parents and the leaders of that church generation before us didn't know how to show an exciting God through music. There are many just awesome hymns out there, but they are lead incorrectly. Take for instance "And Can It Be" an amazing heart pounding song if done correctly! But in our old laid back churches it is weak as a placenta! This is very saddening. I believe in our churches we need to have an understanding in music. We need to realize that not all CCM is wrong and not all the hymns are old and "boring/old fashioned"
My parents are always saying "It is sad that the younger generation is getting rid of the hymns." But this is mostly their own fault.
I would challenge any person on this board who is only into CCM to give the hymns a try. Notice the poetry and depth in them.
What has been a recent move in the hymns has been giving them new melodys. This has worked really well! The hymns have most CCM beat in doctorine, sorry to say. David Crowder has done this really well!

I have been noticing something in the Christian youth of our age. Tell me if you have noticed this also. We have a passionate worship of Christ. We are totally into Him. The problem is that we are only into him emotionally. We know very little about the "meat of the Word" Which is kinda scary.
Take for instance one of the guys said that "Isn't salvation the only thing that is really important?" -I think I quoted that right.- This is true salvation is the most important thing. But after that comes the need of getting into, as one of my favorite author says, -Mark Buchanan- "Getting into the Holy Wild"
We need to learn as much as we can about our Lord. Because if we do not know the "meat of the Word" we can easily be diverted by false teaching.
Which is so very dangerous!

I like CCM but not in a church service. I think drums ect. should be left for another place. I like to hear the old hymns in church and I love to play or sing them. I don't have anything against CCM - I listen to it at home all the time.

I don't think it is right either to bring in rock music or even heavy CCM music just so that you can attract that crowd. In youth group, we have two guitars and a piano. We sing hymns and choruses and we have attracted a big sized group.

I agree w/you totally...that's why we are IN the world and not OF it...

In my opinion, (i know a lot of people will most likely disagree) worship is worship, its not about us, its about God, and in his eyes, its all good. I personally wouldnt mind listening to hardcore in church, if it glorified God.

QUOTE (Levi4Christ @ Oct 27 2004, 05:00 PM)

In my opinion, (i know a lot of people will most likely disagree)  worship is worship, its not about us, its about God, and in his eyes, its all good.

thats exactly what i believe. To me, the bigger issue should be whether you are gloryfying God rather than what type of music you are playing. Now thats not to discredit either styles, i dont mind listening to either one of them. I think both are fine as long as God is always the most important thing.

QUOTE

thats exactly what i believe. To me, the bigger issue should be whether you are gloryfying God rather than what type of music you are playing. Now thats not to discredit either styles, i dont mind listening to either one of them. I think both are fine as long as God is always the most important thing.

I agree. The problem, though, is that sometimes (not always) the emphasis is on the music rather than God.

-Anonymous

QUOTE (Anonymous @ Oct 27 2004, 05:44 PM)

QUOTE thats exactly what i believe. To me, the bigger issue should be whether you are gloryfying God rather than what type of music you are playing. Now thats not to discredit either styles, i dont mind listening to either one of them. I think both are fine as long as God is always the most important thing. I agree. The problem, though, is that sometimes (not always) the emphasis is on the music rather than God. -Anonymous

ha hit the right button this time . I definitely agree with you Anon because our church was going through this issue, and a pastor ended up leaving(although he's now starting a new church which is cool), they've switched music directors one too many times, and even though the older members got their wish of going back to older styles now the younger members(not just teenagers, younger adults too) have an issue with it.

I like CCM but during a church service hymns are better. Guitars and drums are distracting.

QUOTE

ha hit the right button this time  . I definitely agree with you Anon because our church was going through this issue, and a pastor ended up leaving(although he's now starting a new church which is cool), they've switched music directors one too many times, and even though the older members got their wish of going back to older styles now the younger members(not just teenagers, younger adults too) have an issue with it.

Id suggest just splitting up and doing some of each songs, its just selfish of people to whine about worshipping God, its not like its about them.

QUOTE

I like CCM but during a church service hymns are better. Guitars and drums are distracting.

But, that is an opinion, personally, organs give me a headache.

Like I said, it's better to just find a church who's worship style is something you're comfortable with.

-Anonymous

QUOTE (Levi4Christ @ Oct 27 2004, 05:00 PM)

In my opinion, (i know a lot of people will most likely disagree) worship is worship, its not about us, its about God, and in his eyes, its all good. I personally wouldnt mind listening to hardcore in church, if it glorified God.

i agree!!! don't get me wrong, i grew up in a very traditional hymn singin church, and i loved it. but there were times when i felt a little akward too. i just wanted to throw my hands in the air and praise God with all i had. but i didn't feel like i could.

now i'm going to a church that has a ccm worship team, and is much bigger then our little church on a hill. i like it cause i feel like i can move, and praise however i want. it's just more relaxed. the one thing i would like is if they lowered the lights a little. it is sometimes distracting to see everyone arround you "dancin" and lifting their hands, but it's not enough to complain about.

i do have a hymnal from my old church, (i still go when i'm at home) and quite often i open it and worship from it if i feel i need, so all is fine with me. whatever makes my God smile!!!

QUOTE (Levi4Christ @ Oct 27 2004, 05:00 PM)

In my opinion, (i know a lot of people will most likely disagree)  worship is worship, its not about us, its about God, and in his eyes, its all good.  I personally wouldnt mind listening to hardcore in church, if it glorified God.

I couldn't agree more. It's all about God! If you are praising God through hymns, then go for it. If however, you prefer praising him with CCM, I'm sure he accepts it just the same. Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God!

On that note, I don't believe anyone or any church as a whole puts their emphasis on just the music. Every CCM worship service I've been to has been extremely hardcore for God, and God alone. Every musician is playing his/her heart out for God, and only for God.

Anyway... Just my 2 cents God bless!

-Gundam

QUOTE

Like I said, it's better to just find a church who's worship style is something you're comfortable with. -Anonymous

I disagree. Worship is not about comfort, it's about... worshipping. People are too wrapped up in making church comfortable and convenient rather than worshipful. It seems like the main reason church's have Christian contemporary music is because it draws more people to come to the church. But church isn't about numbers either. It's about worshipping God and learning what He tells us in His word. That's why I think CCM isn't good for a church service. The lyrics tend to be less worshipful and meaningful and it's seems like there is more focus on the music rather than the words. I find it much easier to pay attention to the words and to worship God when the only instrument is a piano or organ. I find it much harder to worship and pay attention when I hear guitars and drums.

That is an opinion, some people prefer the hymnals, but some people just CAN'T get into them (such as me). I love God with all my heart but I fall asleep during those. (May be because I grew up on hardcore *ponders*)

QUOTE

Worship is not about comfort, it's about... worshipping

Right, that's what I'm saying. If you're worried about what someone's playing, or you're not comfortable singing hymns, then it's a lot harder for you to concentrate on God. I'm not a big fan of CCM in the church, either by the way.

QUOTE

It seems like the main reason church's have Christian contemporary music is because it draws more people to come to the church.

That, and the "young" people seem to like it more...

Also, I think the problem is that many people have the wrong definition of the word "worship" - worship isn't just singing songs, it's your entire mindset and how you're approaching it. If you're not thinking about God, even a worshipful hymn just becomes a song. The same is true for CCM. What I'm trying to say, is, that when people worship, it's hard for them to concentrate on God, if they have a problem with the manner in which the worship is being carried out. I hope you know what I'm trying to say...

-Anonymous

I love CCM, but I also love some hyms too. Some of them I don't really care for, or I just don't understand. I prefer CCM because I find it's the way I like to praise God. Plus i know most of the words to the songs we frequently sing so i have more of an opportunity to make my worshiping more heartfelt and consentrate on God instead of having to consentrate on getting the words right. We have really deep spiritual monets and worship services, especially with our youth, but not only with our youth, that are CCM. i believe it's a wonderfull thing. And I am not set against hymns som ei like some I don't and every once in a while I really wish we'd sing somw that I like in church.

My respect for you grows with each post Anon