"Silent Night"? "O Holy Night"? Those songs are all for old squares and fuddy-duddies. We need to replace them with disco, rap and "praise" music.
Instead of the Isaac Watts/Lowell Mason version of "Joy to the World," so beloved by old fogies and musical elitists, Christmas Eve services should from now on feature this version:
Instead of the Isaac Watts/Lowell Mason version of "Joy to the World," so beloved by old fogies and musical elitists, Christmas Eve services should from now on feature this version:
Joy to the World
I played for a long time in a mega-church. Actually was on staff in the music ministry scheduling musicians, training young musicians etc. We had rock the flock music... but we also played Silent Night and O Holy Night. We just used more instruments than a piano and organ to play them.
But when I read your post it reads as selfish. I'm sorry but it does. It's about the music you want to hear. Would you rather go to church and hear the songs you like, or would rather go to church and see the music ministry reach young couples with kids and help bring them into church where they can be discipled and raise Godly children? I'm not saying its either or... but I am saying we really make it difficult to reach young couples who need Christ in their lives when we insist on the music we grew up with in the 1960's performed like it was in the 1960's.
One can argue all day that music like that will still reach young people. And it will now and then. But what we're really saying, is I want it my way and I'm not worried about discipling others. That's my take on it.
I am not opposed to various venues of song and accompaniment...I am opposed when the affect clearly leaves Christ's Birth behind the scene as an afterthought. ..and it's totally about the rhythm and hype of the “lights, camera action” performance where the “show” supersedes the event being celebrated.
There is little "room" for the Spirit of God to move the hearts and minds when it's all about the stage show and those seeking their own Glory as was the case at the service I attended....with smoking floors, air splits by the worship team and "yelling" the song, with music so loud you could not begin to distinguish what was being sung. All of which was a huge distraction and did nothing to raise ones mind and heart to the things of God.
As my other posts reference...there is a difference between those leading a worship service and those simply performing for their own benefit and self glory....which is clearly evidenced.