I do not care for the use of “praise” music in congregational settings, with the projection of the words on a screen, like a Mitch Miller sing-along. This has become prevalent even in the Church of Christ with the New Testament, non-instrumental approach to songs. Some CoC congregations have added “praise bands” in the auditorium. My main objection to the “praise” music is it is repetitious and doesn’t really “praise,” IMO.
Give me some Southern gospel shaped-note singing any day. Most any Stamps-Baxter songbook selection will do.
My main objection to a lot of praise music is that while MUCH OF IT IN FACT DOES “praise God”, especially scripturally derived.(Such as the song of Miriam and the prophetesses...known as Horse and Rider)....some praise and worship teams repeat each song about 10 times, making the message of the song sound like a repetitive mind control cultic rant! Twice is enough for some of these songs then they should move on to other songs, testimonies, scriptures, ect.!
I am a shape note singer and although Southern Gospel developed from shape note the two are very different. Shape note is polyphonic (from the Baroque think 1650 AD) but Southern Gospel is not, it is organized as chords which are presented in sequence.
Shape note is sung is at very loud levels and can be very raw even with great singers. The polyphony is not particularly predictable and you have to be attentive to the written music.
Southern Gospel is simplification of shape note and is really predictable. For many voice parts you can phone it in.
I dislike Southern Gospel although it gets much more interesting if you disregard the written harmonies and create melodies which enhance the main melody.
I also think that contemporary Christian music is terrific. I came to Jesus through CCM and we know that many others have had the same experience because we many, many emails which testify to that fact.
Now let me put on my flame suit and wait for the Southern Gospel Beserkers to attack. Lol.
Our very conservative congregation sings traditional-style shape-note hymns. We just recently started projecting both the music notation & words on the screen, in addition to having bound hymnals available, because it makes it easier to visually follow the song leader.