Music Mondays - In defense of Contemporary Worship

I'm a pastor, so my world is unique. The people I meet, the conversations I have, the routine of my job - all unique. And one part of the uniqueness of my calling is that from time-to-time, I will encounter people who still want to fight a war that's already been lost. 

Ultimately, in the larger American Christian culture, this issue is settled. The worship wars were waged and the "contemporary side" gained the most ground and is the most favored form of worship music in (American) Christendom. The traditional side still staunchly continues and those of us who prefer a blended approach still hold pockets here and there. But contemporary worship that involves bands and soft-rock music and lights and visual presentations has won the day.

They will lob snarky criticism at contemporary worship, creating straw-man arguments and generalizations about how nobody writes with any theological depth anymore. All the new music is simply sensual love songs repackaged and rewritten with "God", "Jesus", and "the Lord" edited in. The classic hymns passed down throughout history, resplendent with all of their progressive verses and rousing choruses are far superior than the repetitive and shallow songs of this generation. 

And I understand their comments and to an extent they have a point. 

However they are completely fixated on the mediocre while ignoring the large quantity of evidence that contradicts their assertions. 

Well, let's add more to the growing list of modern worship songs that reflect the popular cultural styles but include strong biblical theology:

I'm sure some curmudgeonly nit-picker will find fault with a word or phrase or other detail. 
But wow is this creative and comprehensive. And the best part in my opinion is that it's not merely a feel-good song, but a song of commitment. 

It enlarges our vision of God and pledges to faithfully follow Him.

So Will I, indeed.

Music Mondays

I recently taught our Sunday School class about Old Testament prophets and how to read and interpret those books of the Bible. 

One of they key principles we considered was how the prophets were less about predicting the future and more about prosecuting and persuading God's people in the present. Prophets went to great lengths to wake people out of their spiritual slumber and/or encourage them with the future glory that was in store for God's faithful followers.
 
Those things came to mind as I thought about how today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He was very much a modern-day prophet who passionately pointed out the injustices in our nation. 

The rapper/hip-hop artist Lecrae, an outspoken Christian, echos MLK's message in his song "Welcome to America", which he recently performed on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon".

The rap/hip-hop nature of the song may not connect with everyone, but the lyrics are pointed and provoking:

(Last half of the last verse)
And y’all don’t know a thing about that
You was made in America
I’m trying to find me a ticket
Where the sky is the limit catch a plane to America
It should be plain to America
Y’all blessed and you got it made
Heard y’all don’t pray no more
Y’all ain’t saved no more
Y’all looking for another way
Well, I hope it ain’t true
But I’m packing my suit
Farewell to my motherland
Said bye to my loved ones
Fate here I come, I’m going to another land

I done made it to America
I’m amazed at America
But I couldn’t get approval to stay so they sent me away from America

Music Mondays

I must admit the holidays have disrupted my regular blogging. But I'm back at it today with another long-lost contemporary worship song:

I actually can't categorically say how 'long-lost' this song is. But it certainly deserves to be used consistently in the Church at large because of its expressions of humility, brokenness, commitment, and desire for Jesus.

While much of our American church culture has adopted standing and various forms of hand-raising, this song reminds us of the oft-avoided physical posture of kneeling before the Lord in worship. For some, kneeling may be physically difficult, but what is the excuse for the rest of us able-bodied. Do we neglect the consistent biblical presentation that describes bowing as the proper reaction when encountering our Sovereign God?

Maybe we are missing out on more than just singing a song...

Sermon Snippets - Philippians 1:12-18a

I grew up in the first generation to experience cultural concern for self-esteem. Our teachers and parents had an elevated sensitivity about how we viewed ourselves. It was a positive development in the area of young people's mental health. Obviously it's not good to have an elevated sense of one's self-importance, but to have a poor view of one's value and worth can be even more damaging. A low self-esteem can lead to depression, self-injury, and suicide. What is needed to avoid those destructive consequences is a proper view of one's intrinsic value.

This is relevant to this week's passage in Philippians because I believe the American Church has a self-esteem problem. No doubt some American churches have a problem with an elevated sense of self-worth. But there is a growing perspective that is just the opposite. Many are becoming concerned that the American Church is dying.

I am of the opinion that the demise of the American Church is greatly exaggerated. Articles like this one by Ed Stetzer provide perspective and balance to the hysteria that believes the sky is falling. I am also of the opinion that Jesus' words to Peter and the other disciples in Matthew 16:18 serve as a promise:

¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

The American Church could die and this promise could still be fulfilled - since it is describing the worldwide Church. But it's not dead yet, and as long as there is life in the American Church, God's Spirit and Power still exist in it. And those are the ingredients that make the Church unstoppable. Jesus is describing it as an invading force overwhelming the Gates of Hades. Satan cannot stop it. Death cannot hold the Church back from advancing. Success is guaranteed!

Paul understood this, which is why he could be so resolute about otherwise adverse conditions (Phil. 1:12-14). The Gospel was going forth and that's all that mattered. Even when it was spreading because of impure motives, Paul was joyful (1:15-18a). The Gospel was advancing - nothing could stop it. The Gospel is still advancing - and nothing will stop it.