Comments on: How I deal with people leaving the church because of the music

By: John

John — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:38:34 +0000

Hello, I attend a church that I like for the teaching. However the preaching and especially the christian rock?? music on videos is getting untolerable. I find that the church is very weak in its music presentation and the Pastor weak in his musical tastes. I may leave this church or at least take other "evasive" measures to avoid listening to one song (very popular with the younger generation). Unfortunately, the questionable music (not all bad either) has started my examination of other unscriptual practices of the church. I would no longer consider inviting some of my friends (as the Pastor requests) to this church until at least the music problem is addressed satisfactorily. Sorry, but Christian Rock doesn't make it for me.

By: Cyndi

Cyndi — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:50:07 +0000

For years I've met weekly with our pastor, I want to always be sure to be representing our leaders vision for the style of our church, submitting myself to them for me is safe. Anyways thanks for your post, it's encouraging and something I always want to be talking with the Lord about, so it's a good reminder!
P.S.- isn't it so weird that we're worship consumers, I mean I get it, I like what I like, but it is kinda weird and maybe sad… I'd love to see you write a post on that:)
My recent post Some good and some bad news…

By: Cyndi

Cyndi — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:49:38 +0000

I'm so thankful to be blissfully unaware if anyone has left because of me or our band's style, I don't doubt it, I have been slightly shaken for not playing enough hymns by an x-CIA agent in his 80's, but he hasn't left yet. haha. I've really thought a lot about how and why we do music the way we do too, and I never want my style to be my top agenda, I want to be flexible, but not out of my depth either. 2 really encouraging for me on this topic: There is one mediator between God and man, a favorite song or style of music isn't your mediator, so whether or not we like a style or song, we are individually responsible to engage with God. I never want to make it harder for people, but this freed me up from worring too much about trying to be someone I'm not. The other is the support of your pastor and elders, which it sounds like you have…
My recent post Some good and some bad news…

By: Kyle Campos

Kyle Campos — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:03:24 +0000

that's a great quote, thanks for that,

By: Kyle Campos

Kyle Campos — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:03:01 +0000

Thanks Jarrod. Yes, becoming comfortable in our uncomfortableness is a good and Godly thing.

By: @AZChurchLaw

@AZChurchLaw — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:20:20 +0000

Kyle, Thanks. I'm encouraged by two things in this regard 1. a small group of those "advanced in years" that have weathered some of the changes in worship over the past many years. Sure they love old hymns and don't like new rhythms, etc. But seeing them continue to sing and worship in new ways is always encouraging to me when someone leaves or takes issue with what goes on in our gathering. Recently, I've also been studying Genesis with my life group and reading a new (posthumously published) Martyn Lloyd Jones book on the same. In it, he had this great quote "We do not gather in church simply to sing and persuade ourselves that all is well and feel a little happier." Those wise and senior saints have long lived that in being part of a church. Their discomfort is not enough to push them away, but pushes me to find new and better ways to help lead them to the cross in worship. Thanks for your post and encouragement. My recent post Carefully Choosing the Pronouns of Our Worship

By: @gruvsmith

@gruvsmith — Sun, 30 May 2010 11:17:08 +0000

It's really good to know you're in good company…
In an obscure LETTER (found in the book "God In The Dock"), CS Lewis wrote to those who would leave church over such trivial matters: "If we cannot lay down our tastes, along with other carnal baggage at the church door, surely we should at least bring them in to be humbled and, if necessary, modified, not to be indulged?"
My recent post Opposites…

By: Jarrod Kinman

Jarrod Kinman — Fri, 28 May 2010 22:55:58 +0000

Great stuff Kyle. If the team is praying & seeking God’s direction, then we are confident in Him. I pray God helps more of us become comfortable with our uncomfortableness!

By: david lee king

david lee king — Fri, 28 May 2010 22:35:06 +0000

I think you're right on with the whole thing about constantly praying, seeking God, listening for the direction He wants to point you towards, then doing that. If you're doing that, plus the leadership is doing the same thing .... then it's really easy to commiserate with the individual, but still be able to say "here's what we do, and here's why." My recent post Pennsylvania on Foursquare