I'm in Memphis today and tomorrow for the taping of a live hymns concert at Hope Presbyterian for The Worship Network. Bruce Carroll is the worship minister here, and he and three others (including Greg Allen from Southeast and Tim Foot from Lifebridge) are leading the event. (Click here to learn more.)
I've mentioned several times on this blog that hymns are making a comeback. This morning I read an article which attributed much of this resurgence to the millennials' craving for a deeper theology than many of today's worship songs provide.
A friend of mine, the worship leader at an influential church, has a different perspective. "Young people like hymns because, to them, they're new," he says. "It's another worship fad."
As much as I'd like to think my young friends seek out hymns because of spiritual depth, I tend to agree with the worship leader--today's high school and college students grew up with the "contemporary" worship services considered so revolutionary years ago, and now they're looking for the next thing. After years of bouncy, largely happy choruses in services with slick production values, they now hunger for "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" in candlelight.
What do you think? Is this phenomenon an indicator of significant spiritual growth among the next generation, or just a predictable pendulum swing?
posted by Jen @ 3:09 PM
3 Comments:
As a 20something reared on rock worship with accompanying light shows.. i tend to agree. Solemn worship is such a giant change- but I like it. If you can do such a service in an old church with stained glass, its even better.
KB
While this phenomenon may be a predictable pendulum swing, I think it will cause significant spiritual growth among the next generation. In this thirty something’s opinion, hymns express reverence and an awe inspired level of respect that is missing in today's rocked out choruses. Bring ‘um on!
As a 40s-something with 3 adult children, I look forward to the time when my kids will yearn for hymns as my husband and I do in worship at church and at home. I played them often at home and hope some of the words soaked into my children’s minds before they moved out.
Hymns are like meat of spirituality – they fill me in the depths of my being. Almost the minute I hear the beginning chords of a hymn, my spirit starts to soar, my heart constricts and tears rush to my eyes as I think of my sin and unworthiness when standing before God. Then a verse comes up that tells how God saved us and I’m at peace again.
I’m sorry, but few modern-day songs have that effect on me.
Most contemporary Christian songs are God-filled, but the repetition and simple lyrics seem like whipped cream – light and fluffy.
Yet, more churches seem to be catering to young people by conducting separate worship services with contemporary choruses. We attended a church recently that had 2 worship services going on simultaneously – one was hymns, another contemporary choruses.
Music should not be used to separate believers, but bring them together.
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