Phil Mahder is one of the foremost authorities on church technology issues in North America. He offers consultation through Training Resources, Inc., in Hillsboro, Missouri, helping churches understand the dynamics of technologies for worship. He helps churches incorporate video projection, sound systems, digital audio tools, and lighting into their worship. Before recommending any equipment, however, he always begins by having the church leadership define exactly what they are trying to accomplish. This way he is certain he is recommending what will best serve their needs.
Not long ago Mahder asked the pastor of a church why he thought they needed the equipment about which he was inquiring. The pastor said, “We are starting a contemporary worship service, and we want to have everything necessary to help us make it a success.”
Mahder asked, “What do you mean by ‘contemporary’?”
“Well,” replied the pastor, “we want to do songs like ‘Seek Ye First’ and ‘We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise’.”
Now, in case you don’t know, “Seek Ye First” was copyrighted over thirty years ago and “We Bring the Sacrifice” is more than twenty years old. These are not exactly what I would call “contemporary.” However, for a church accustomed to singing songs that are anywhere from 100 to 300 years old, these are pretty up to date.
The second story was told to me by a friend who was teaching at a Bible college. The event described took place in the early nineties. To make a point in a particular class, this instructor asked his students how many of them came from churches that had “traditional” worship. Many hands went up in the room. Before teaching at this Bible college, my friend had previously traveled extensively, ministering in various churches. He knew the churches from which some of the kids in the class had come. Because of this, he was quite surprised when they told him they had “traditional” worship at their church. He directed a question to one student whom he knew well “John, you have traditional worship in your church?”
“Yeah,” responded the nineteen-year-old.
“Okay,” said the prof, “define ‘traditional worship’ for me.”
“You know,” said the youth. “We sing songs like ‘We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise’ and ‘He Has Made Me Glad’.”
Both stories refer to the same genre of songs. One person says they are contemporary, and the other refers to them as traditional. It all depends on the perspective.
Clearly there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. It seems obvious, simply from a demographic perspective, that a church in the inner city of Los Angeles should use a very different style of music than a church in rural Montana. Every church will not be satisfied with a single type of music.
What needs to happen is for us to look honestly at our overall goals as a church. What are we trying to accomplish as the people of God in this particular place? Who are we trying to reach? What is the unique mission that the Lord has given to our congregation?
Once we’ve honestly answered these questions, we must then utilize musical styles that will help us achieve those goals. Keep in mind that this could even involve using quite a variety of styles. If there is a wide range of ages and backgrounds in your church, it probably will necessitate offering a more eclectic array.
Please don’t do what the church has been prone to do for generations: “This is the way we have always done things, now do them, and forever shall do them. Amen.” Instead, look honestly at what you are trying to accomplish as a congregation and whom you are trying to aid in worshiping God. Then use music that will help you accomplish those goals.