THERE'S ENOUGH BLAME TO GO AROUND

There usually is you know. So what does this old picture of Lucille Ball have to do with a Christian blog? Well, you see it's all about music in churches today.

The two camps are Traditional Hymns versus Praise Songs. It is a very serious debate, causing long time members to leave their home churches because of the selection of music in the worship service. In addition, it has caused numerous churches to hold two services on Sunday morning to please churchgoers' preference in music.

You might think I'd prefer the traditional. You're right, for the most part. But I love some of the praise songs and have my car radio set on KLOV and other stations promoting the newer Christian music artists. For Father's Day I received a Mercy Me CD featuring "I Can Only Imagine", simply one of the greatest songs ever. So I guess I'm more of a blend type guy, because I really like how our 200 men in BSF sound when singing the traditional hymns.

While not blessed with the greatest singing voices, my wife and I sing every Sunday in church regardless of the type of music. We're about praising God and making a joyful noise. Certainly we have our preferences, but the music is all good, so why the hassle?

And now we get to Lucille Ball. She was of my generation; actually prior to my generation. A generation that never had praise songs. She's still popular in syndication, along with a bevy of others. Classics, do wop, the 60's, all are still very popular and played in malls and other places as an almost mood music type thing. While the Top Forty was important, at least popular, in my generation, it's non-existent for today's listeners. So my theory is that younger listeners want something that was their own. They turned to gospel, or Christian music. Amy Grant, Casting Crowns, et. al., sprung up and were highly successful. Finally, the generation after me had a voice. And it's a great voice. Unfortunately, it's also divisive.

Praise song artists are booming. So much in fact that I'm afraid that it's hurting its audience by over producing. What I mean is, in order to stay current, worship leaders present/teach new songs during worship services to an overly saturated audience. And that may be where part of the problem is. We like repetition whether in praise songs or hymns. The younger ones want new material and tire of repetition.

There are no answers here, just opinions based on hypothesis, offered to smooth the rift. Tomorrow I'll have yet another theory about church music. But for now, please pray about how you can support your music program at church, keeping God at the center of worship.