Ah, music at church. It is a huge deal for me. When we first moved here and were trying to find a church, we ditched several because the music was terrible (upbeat songs turned into dirges, no one singing, etc.). When I was in college, I played flute with the musicians every week, so I came to expect a certain type of music. Sort of folksy but not too much. We're still having a hard time finding the right mix of music.

Your question about what do you prefer -- energetic, etc.? It sort of depends on what kind of mood I am in that day. Also, at a Catholic mass, certain sorts of songs go at certain places in the mass. For instance, energetic "sending" song at the end. Gathering song at the beginning that is usually up-tempo. Something contemplative at the Presentation of the Gifts. So, unless someone messed up, we get a little of everything every week and that really works for me.

One thing that gets me irritated is when there is a choir or other group singing songs that I consider to be too "high-falutin'" -- either in weird registers, or in another language, or something that keeps the congregation from singing along. To me, the songs are for worship and therefore we should be able to sing along.

The college I went to was run by Augustinian priests. Our music director at church said that Augustine said something like (poor paraphrase alert coming up) "When you sing, you praise God twice". That inspired us there and it continues to inspire me.

Great topic!

So many things, apart from legitimate theological questions raised by some songs (I think some well meaning but Biblically illiterate folks have written many songs both new and old), can serve to effectively hamper us from remembering that worship is not really about what we find personally satisfying. I too get caught-up in non-issues like "why is that irritating woman sceeching so loud!" or "why did that same person get a microphone?" or, "if we're singing about the joy we've found now that we are in Christ, why are we sounding so dejected?" Worship is supposed to be, by definition, an offering made to God. His pleasure is the thing that we should be seeking. Of course this depends greatly upon the condition of the heart of the worshipper, as well as the validity of the worship offered. I suppose that though it would irritate me a great deal, if some brother or sister is genuinely worshipping on our 16th time through some sappy theologically bankrupt chorus, that God would be pleased to receive it. It is these intangibles that make this a disagreement that will likely continue. I for one always try to direct people's focus to the Lord, and encourage my brethren to remember that worship is an offering made to God, and that His pleasure, not our perceived experience should be the target we keep before us.

For many reasons my worship doesn't include music. It's saved for after the worship, and if folks wish to sing they can stay and do so. I usually just leave.

I'm exactly where you are, Rach. I try to just focus on the Lord, but...I don't know. Very often I have serious questions about the songs (our church has an occasional old hymn, but mostly sings contemporary songs).

In November I posted on Music in the New Testament. I guess it's been on my mind for a while.

Well, if we're talking about my pleasure here...I prefer old time gospel. It's the only form of worship music that really gets into my soul. But we're not talking about my prefrences now are we? It doesn't matter what I think. I do understand that people make their offering in anyway they know, and it isn't for us to judge. For fear of feeling snippety when I hear contemporary Christian music or that hard metal stuff that the Christian kids are getting into nowadays, I just don't listen to it. If it comes on, I turn the station. I haven't been in a church for sometime now, but If I happen to be and I hear a song that makes me feel less than holy, I will simply excuse myself to the bathroom and pray to be more tolerating rather than sit there and give off my bad vibe.

Hello! I've been reading your site for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout
out from New Caney Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the good job!

I'm extremely impressed together with your writing skills
and also with the structure on your weblog. Is that this a paid subject or did you modify it yourself?

Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like
this one today.

Do you have a spam problem on this blog

Hiya! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I'd figured I'd ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or
maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa? My website addresses a lot of the
same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you happen to be interested feel free to shoot me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Superb blog by the
way!

It's wonderful that you are getting thoughts from this piece of writing as well
as from our argument made here.

Remarkable! Its truly awesome article, I have got much clear idea concerning from this post.

An outstanding share! I've just forwarded this onto a friend who had been conducting a little homework on this.
And he actually bought me breakfast due to the fact that I discovered it
for him... lol. So allow me to reword this....
Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this issue here
on your internet site.

It is really a great and helpful piece of info.
I am satisfied that you simply shared this helpful
info with us. Please keep us informed like
this. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all folks you actually know what you are talking approximately!

Bookmarked. Kindly additionally talk over with my website =).

We will have a link exchange arrangement among us