Mennonite Weekly Review

Comments

• Wilmer Swope is right on his concern about the desire for MC USA to adopt a new hymnal that will contain contemporary music replacing the many inspiring songs and hymns of the church.

  The following are comments why contemporary soft rock music is not suitable for Godly worship.

  First, contemporary music is also known as 7/11 music. Seven words sung eleven times.

  Second, it is evidence that rock type music of the world has invaded the church as soft rock. Eventually, soft rock will increasingly be replaced by harder rock. It is progressive.
  

  Third, churches who embrace contemporary soft rock music will eventually lose good harmonious four part singing.

  Fourth, contemporary music in church worship requires the use of instruments and amps to generate a high level of noise to elevate emotions generating a false sense of spiritually. It is used by Satan to deceive religious people in thinking the church must adopt this rock style music to keep the young people.

  Fifth, shallow preaching and poor ministerial leadership rely on contemporary soft rock music as a crutch to generate a false sense of enthusiasm in an effort to bump attendance.

  Sixth, what spiritual good can come from the Mennonite Binational Worship Council when one of the four members is a minister currently in a same sex covenant relationship?

  Seventh, should we believe that contemporary soft rock music is appropriate at an altar call or a funeral? Is this style of music inspiring and of comfort to residents in a hospital, nursing home or home shut ins by young people’s singing groups?

  I have compared the messages in contemporary praise and worship music with the messages in song in traditional songs and hymns we have sung for several centuries. The many repetitions of words and phrases in contemporary music can not begin to compare with the inspired messages in traditional hymns and songs. Is the spiritual progress of the Mennonite Church USA measured by the number of songs scrapped that were authored by Fannie Crosby, Isaac Watts and other Godly men and women? In my mind, the words and music of the songs many of us hold dear today were wedded under the inspiration of God at a time when revival and spiritual growth was moving across the U.S and certain European countries.

  - Dale Welty (jan 25 at 12:51 a.m.)

• I share Dale & Wilmer's dislike of praise & worship music, and lament the reduction of harmonious singing that the influx of newer music brings. I also dislike the shallowness of lyrics that much praise & worship style music shares. However, some of the newer music can be very worshipful.
  Moreover, there are several failures of logic here. First and foremost, remember that 230 years ago, "Amazing Grace" was "contemporary" music. Perhaps people then were lamenting the advent of this new music? Second, there is assumptions that all the old songs will be lost. True, some of them will not make it into a new hymnal. Many of them will. This is regrettable, but I'm sure, like me, you have copies of several of the older hymnals on your bookshelf at home & at church. As to Dale's point that one of the contributors is in a same-sex relationship, well, if no good can come from sinners, it's time to pitch the whole hymnal, since every hymn ever written was written by a person, and by definition, by a sinner. Finally, Randy is a very gifted musician - this is NOT affected by his sexual orientation.

  - Lyle Beidler (jan 25 at 5:15 p.m.)

• The commentary by Dale Welty addresses line by line the rationale for holding fast to traditional church hymns. The mindless repetition represented in much of "traditional" singing is a cheap dumbing down of a generation growing up in an era of pop music characterized by "loud is good" . Our schools have embraced a pep-rally approach in a desperate effort to communicate with an audience growing up in a world dominated by athletic competition. The church has caved in to populist methods to keep the pews full, too often led by ministers shedding coat, tie and robes to identify with their "customers". If all this sounds like "old fashioned" so be it. Just reserve me a place in a dusty corner with Handel's Messiah, The Old Rugged Cross and Joy to The World!

  - Eldon Janzen (jan 31 at 11:22 a.m.)

• I too appreciate the hymns. There is much wisdom and spiritual meat in them that seems to be lacking in some contemporary worship songs. I also dislike singing the same verse over and over.

  However, there are many contemporary worship songs that are very meaningful and that can help lead the singer into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

  The author seems to imply that only the old hymns were "the gift of the Holy Spirit". I wonder, how does the author know that the Holy Spirit stopped inspiring people to write music, unless it is a hymn. How does the author know that "God's angels" will be singing hymns in four part harmony? They may be singing something we don't even know about or can't imagine. It seems a bit presumptuous to me.

  - Chet Yoder (jan 31 at 10:04 p.m.)

• It is with deep sadness that I learned today that my friend, Wilmer Swope passed away yesterday. Both Wilmer and I had a deep love for the old time hymns which led to our friendship. He had an extensive collection of hymnals. Not only did Wilmer love the old time hymns, he also was gifted in writing Godly poetry.

  - Dale Welty (feb 2 at 3:28 p.m.)

• Come sing a new song of David Come sing the song of the Lord Praise Him with instruments Praise Him with music Praise to the one we adore He's the Lord.

  See also Psalm 150 where instruments are the order of the day.
  

  I believe that instruments in the church should be limited to those found in the Bible. Of course our instrumens in western civilization are slightly different than those used in David's time. But it means that some noise is okay! Cymbals are okay, stringed instruments (pianos, guitars, zithers), trumpets, lyres, and harps). Together it would make such a wonderful sound. And remember, the Lord has given many a talent of music. But also those who do not play an instrument can make a joyful noise, shout, sing, etc.

  The use of sound systems and microphones are a necessity in larger churches of over 50-75 people, or the people simply would not be able to hear. Musicians in the Bible led the people in victory to overcome difficult situations. The people followed behind, rejoicing and singing.

  We all struggle with the fact that worship seems to have become a performance and the congregation has sat down to listen to it, and forgotten or is unable to participate because the words and tunes are too complex. I urge all leaders of song services to blend old with some new, and always look to see how the congregation is responding to the song service. Are they singing, or are they bored?

  I love the simpleness of the mennonite churches I have visited, and yet I feel sad that the children and parents are limited in their musical expression at the church level. I believe with Godly leadership in the area of music (both singing and with instruments) that the church will be able to move as the Spirit of God moves. We should not fear the new song of the Lord (contemporary) but we must use discernment in the lyrics and the tunes that come forth from that, in the same way that music in the 1800's was also considered somewhat radical at times.
  

  - Northern musician (feb 10 at 3:09 a.m.)

• I too have little appreciation of some of the praise songs that repeat over and over again the same phrases (7/11). If that is what the younger generation prefers, I would not be against that as long as there is at least one of the hymns sung in four part harmony, during the worship service. Without that I always feel there is something lacking in my worship experience. Junia Schmidt

  - Junia Schmidt (feb 10 at 10:30 a.m.)

Comment on the article Keep old music

The purpose of comments is to engage in dialogue. We expect commenters to treat authors and each other as each would want to be treated. Respectful criticism is welcomed; offensive comments or parts of comments will be removed by the site administrator. Name and comment will be posted; email address is for follow-up only and will not be made public.