1. The whole purpose of gathering together in a corporate style is...to redirect our attention and thoughts to God Himself, and to focus on His purpose and desire for us. It is a time for us as a community of believers to give to Him...all of our attention.
2. This includes the format of the service itself: announcements, Scriptures read, prayers, ministering of God's Word, creeds, and any sacraments that may be conducted. It can also be of time of encouragement through even prophetic utterances when done in an orderly way, a time of sharing peace with one another, and one other factor...the music!
3. I think songs we sing in our worship services are designed to: 1) glorify this God who loves us so, and 2) to meet and encourage the various needs of the believers and visitors who have come to participate in the worship service itself.
So, the question then for me becomes: "Is it important as to the selection of music that is to be used in our present day worship services?"
My answer?..."Well, do the songs we sing assist in turning our attention to Him?...and do these songs we sing minister to the hearts of those attending?"
And there for me...lies the crux of the matter.
As I ponder how many of our great older hymns have been passed down to us from ages past, it certainly can serve to us reminders of the sacrifice and the strong stands believers made in the the passing on...of our faith in Him.
Yet, just as those hymns have been an inspiration for many, songs like: "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name, Blessed Assurance, Crown Him with Many Crowns, Faith of Our Fathers, His Eye is on the Sparrow, Nearer my God, to Thee, Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling, The Old Rugged Cross, and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"...they seem almost timeless...able to minister the joy of knowing Him and giving a sense of security and encouragement to those who sing these dynamic and powerful songs...and at the same time...do not the more contemporary type of songs equally give our attention to Him and help soothe the depth of a participant's heart?
Contemporary songs include: " As the Deer Panteth for the Water, Awesome God, Better is One Day, Here I am to Worship, Majesty, How Great is our God, Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart, Shine Jesus Shine, Open the Eyes of My Heart, Trading my Sorrows, and Breath".
Do not these songs share an equal status to the hymns of old?
I think the real motive behind any song we might sing in a corporate setting...is the unselfishness of one another. It really isn't about which type of song we like to sing...or not sing. The real question is: Do what we sing give Glory to Him? And furthermore, do the songs we sing uplift one another as well?
The age old problem it appears to me...is not the type of songs we sing...rather...if our hearts in the right place? If we as a congregation need the personal type format that evolves from contemporary songs, or if we need to sing of the valiant courage of those who have stood in faith throughout the centuries, and are selfless in our motives...to sing these songs as an act of worship that comes from our hearts...than are we not doing the very thing God is really after...our hearts that are giving all their attention...to Him?
Along with that, are the songs we sing...encouraging those around us...to embrace and continue in the Christian faith...that has been purchased...at such a great price?Personally, I love both...but am given to the contemporary songs because I can identify with them a little easier....yet, sprinkling of the older hymns...certainly does my heart good...and above all... may all...all...all the glory...be given to Him!
Psalm 150 is a psalm that is considered special by both the Christian and Jewish communities...mainly because of its instruction on worship.
This psalm instructs us that we MUST shout to God, we MUST sing to Him, and we MUST make music to Him.
Praising God is a vital part of a Christian's lifestyle, and has been performed throughout centuries past. The key to this particular requirement is we do so from genuine and contrite hearts...and not do it in the form of "lip service"...giving no thought or concern as to what we are doing.
A Gleaning from Psalm 150: 1-2
" Hallelujah! The time has come for us to praise our God...together!...in His very sanctuary! Praise Him whether you meet under the open skies or in a church building! The important thing to do when you meet...praise Him from your hearts for His acts of power!...and praise Him for His unequaled greatness...toward you as well!"
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