Anyone Else Here Weary Of Church Gear/Style Controversy?

[David Barnett]

Originally Posted by Trimmed&Burnin

I was immediatly invited to join the worship team but I declined as they were playing mostly what I call informational/doctrinal hymns and I wanted to get know folks. They had a lot of good voclists but the rest of the team as musicans were still entry level with the exception of a piano player who can stand with anybody. I did'nt see what I would call worship happening, the music was basicly doctrine put to a tune and was really not a good vehicle for worship but they all felt that it was sacred music.

Can you explain, to a layperson, in Cliff's Notes style, the difference between Worship music, Praise music, and, well, whatever other genres of music may exist in a modern worship service?

The way I've heard people talk, it seems that "Praise" and "Worship" styles seem to polarize certain members of the flock.

[Jorge]

I am not a beliver but I don't see what the big problem is as long as it's nothing offensive to the religion, like a BC Rich with the devil paintjob etc. I don't see any ban's on FX and tele's in the bible.

[Guitar_Ninja]

Originally Posted by Jorge

I am not a beliver but I don't see what the big problem is as long as it's nothing offensive to the religion, like a BC Rich with the devil paintjob etc. I don't see any ban's on FX and tele's in the bible.

Thou shall not flange?

[Trimmed&Burnin]

Originally Posted by David Barnett

Can you explain, to a layperson, in Cliff's Notes style, the difference between Worship music, Praise music, and, well, whatever other genres of music may exist in a modern worship service?

The way I've heard people talk, it seems that "Praise" and "Worship" styles seem to polarize certain members of the flock.

Praise and worship are two facets of the same diamond. Regretably to many things seem to polarize the the Christian community. Having said that I detest much of the "Christian" music that was written particularly in the 80's. I would not subject myself to a church that insists on that type of music but I would not start a new denomination of it. I would allow them them to walk in Liberty and I would find a church that I fit into better.

Praise (seems to me) is usually more upbeat, the content being that of Gods attributes. Rather like cheer leading. I have to admit that much of it is poorly written, simplistic, and even cheesey IMO. But it does have it's place,,,, I stay away from the songs that I think are poorly written, simplistic, cheesey,,and lacking depth. It can lighten the mood, energize, and uplift us. I find that most people kinda do it for themselves as much as for God. Sometimes it reminds me of a singalong that builds a sense of community,,, again just my opinion.

Worship,,of which praise is an integrel part,, is usually a deeper expression of how we feel about God. Expessing to God our love, appreciation, and awe of who He is and what He has done in a personal way.. I would hope that it is written from and expressed from a real experiance of Gods presence in ones life. The music can be mellower to dramatic, to extemely intense.
I believe that we were created to worship God (with a Tele) and the lack thereof can result in living a life short of our potential. When entering into worship God can communicate with us on a deeper level and we with Him. I believe that He designed us this way. I have been profoundly changed and redirected as the result of that communication experianced during time spent in worship (with a Tele).

There are many types of "Gospel" music. The music could be Gospel Blues which I love, to Gospel Polka God Forbid! The Gospel is in the content, not the style. I believe that when performed with respect all and any of it is appropriate in church but it may not be accepted. Not all of it is worship or praise music and although I know that some of it is. Much of it is what might fall under the label of outreach music. Particularly Gospel Blues (played on a Tele)
I know there's a number of guys here that can add to this.

[eyema_believer]

Originally Posted by Trimmed&Burnin

Expessing to God our love.

To me, this is the very essence of "worship" music. A love song sung to God, with no other audience in mind. Well said Shannon!

Cliff notes version...

1. Worship music: a "vertical" song, sung to express love and adoration to Him. Usually a slow, more reflective song.
2. Praise Music: more of a "horizontal" song....or a mixture of vertical and horizontal... sung to God, but mostly to ourselves and to/with others within earshot, subject matter is God, and His awesome attributes, and the awesome things He's done.
3. Oureach type music: songs sung to build up the congregation in thier faith, and to inspire.

Peace!

~Shawn

[Trimmed&Burnin]

Thanks for the Cliff notes Shawn,, I'm a essay kinds guy!

[popthree]

geez... sounds like poppycock to me.

praise and worship are synonymous as far as i'm concerned

[Trimmed&Burnin]

Originally Posted by popthree

geez... sounds like poppycock to me.

praise and worship are synonymous as far as i'm concerned

Two facets of the same diamond Bro, There are times when they are one and the same. I had hoped that I conveyed that clearly but go ahead and say what you really think about it.

[popthree]

i just don't see the point of overanalyzing something to death.

its a genre of music... like rock and roll, or country and western.

what polarizes congregations is the style of the praise and worship

some people like a big star spangled show with pearly gates and fairy dust

some like a simple, humble, meaningful and quiet low tech hymn

[Voodoo Child]

LOL, You guys.. when I was growing up, the only instrument you heard in a church was a pipe organ! You know what? I liked it that way. No offense intended. I guess I just had a different upbringing here in the northeast.

[blacklinefish]

Originally Posted by Voodoo Child

LOL, You guys.. when I was growing up, the only instrument you heard in a church was a pipe organ! You know what? I liked it that way. No offense intended. I guess I just had a different upbringing here in the northeast.

I appreciate that you admit your bias as well as explain where it came from. Churches need more honesty like that. Instead, people try to bring doctrine into it or something. (Bias is not a bad thing, we all have 'em.)

--gh

[Trimmed&Burnin]

Originally Posted by Voodoo Child

LOL, You guys.. when I was growing up, the only instrument you heard in a church was a pipe organ! You know what? I liked it that way. No offense intended. I guess I just had a different upbringing here in the northeast.

My wife and I attended a Church Of Christ where there were no instruments at all. Sometimes it was awsome but people kept leaving for churches that did have instruments so they adapted them,,,ever so slowly.
I think people fuss about a lot of things not worth fussing about, it all boils down to the attitude of heart (and a Tele).

[RodeoTex]

I've been a guitarist for years and the thought of bringing it to church just has never appealed to me. I wish others in my congregation felt the same. We've seen (and still see) hoardes of 'musicians' raising their praises with electric instruments. The congregation is held hostage to these episodes of out of tune instruments and the good brethren at the sound board who is a great guy but has not a clue how to mix anything other than a sngle speaking mic.
Just my rant, but that's not what I go to church for.

[David Barnett]

Originally Posted by eyema_believer

To me, this is the very essence of "worship" music. A love song sung to God, with no other audience in mind. Well said Shannon!

Cliff notes version...

1. Worship music: a "vertical" song, sung to express love and adoration to Him. Usually a slow, more reflective song.
2. Praise Music: more of a "horizontal" song....or a mixture of vertical and horizontal... sung to God, but mostly to ourselves and to/with others within earshot, subject matter is God, and His awesome attributes, and the awesome things He's done.
3. Oureach type music: songs sung to build up the congregation in thier faith, and to inspire.

Peace!

~Shawn

So the ones on the late night commercials, where they sell CDs and DVDs of inspirational music with pictures of the audience (or congregation, looks more like an audience to me...) all with their eyes closed and their arms in the air, with lyrics like "Our God is an awesome God he really really is..." would be Praise? And if the lyrics address God in the first person, that would be Worship?

[eyema_believer]

Originally Posted by David Barnett

And if the lyrics address God in the first person, that would be Worship?

Yep, you got it, but only if it was coming from your heart. These are generalities, of course. Words are simply containers to carry ideas from one person to the next. Lot's of times, they fall short.

~Shawn

[Pesty]

Originally Posted by Guitar_Ninja

Thou shall not flange?

I like my flange.....

Praise and Worship is to be our everyday life, not just the music. I've heard Goth Metal with Christian lyrics, sung by people who fully believed and accepted Christ with everything they were, I don't care for the music, but I admire them for sticking to their beliefs.

[refin]

Originally Posted by Jorge

I am not a beliver but I don't see what the big problem is as long as it's nothing offensive to the religion, like a BC Rich with the devil paintjob etc. I don't see any ban's on FX and tele's in the bible.

Everyone is a believer and worshipper of something....or someone....

[armybass]

I don't have a problem with the congregation because we have 4 distinctly different services musically speaking. Now church sound guys...that is another story, never mind anyway.

[Pesty]

Hey, I'm a church sound guy!

But I guess the fact I work as a sound tech for a local music company kinda balances it out.

I've only been warned once that I was pushing the volume a little too loud, to which I looked at the congregation and responded "But they're singing this time" No one cares about singing along if they think it's loud enough no one will hear if they're off tune. I just think that's paranoia, I love hearing a congregation singing moreso than hearing the vocalists on stage.

[David Barnett]

Originally Posted by armybass

Now church sound guys...that is another story, never mind anyway.

You get what you pay for.

[armybass]

Considering who the client is, it should be the best we have to offer. My only point was that in my experience, they are generally not nearly as knowledgeable as they think they are, at least some of them. But their heart is in the right place. Some folks may have a similar opinion of the players.

[refin]

Originally Posted by David Barnett

You get what you pay for.

We've had this discussion on this forum before,but church soundguys are usually volunteers who read a manual,and don't really mix or run sound---they babysit the volume.
I don't mean that in a cruel way,but that's what they're TOLD to do.