I was listening to a pastor explaining why additional Bible study classes were necessary for those looking to go beyond a surface understanding of the scripture. He said there were of many new people and new Christians in the Sunday morning services and they didn't have the preparation for some of deeper studies. This brought to mind Paul's admonition to the church at Corinth that they were still consuming the milk of the gospel and had not yet progressed to the meat of the Word.
Then my mind turned to the “worship music” heard so often in these same services. While some of this is actually good music, that does not seem to be a requirement as it is often one dimensional and relies on repetition rather than skillfully crafted lyrics and melodies. Having said that, repetition, in itself, is not necessarily bad given the target audience of new believers and seekers. It is the same programming principle used by many others for nefarious purposes.
Repetition does have a way working it's way into the minds of the singers and listeners. For a few weeks I even find some phrases stuck in my head from some song that I found wanting in many areas. Then another new song would come along to replace it and the memory is gone. Some songs sing of joy but hardly produce any – at least not in the range of a Sunday evening in a Pentecostal church.
There are many contributing factors to this musical migration. I guess a large part is the tendency of younger generation to assert its own style and values – this applies to both sacred and secular music. We've seen this in early fifties when boogie woogie replaced the big bands of the forties. Then Elvis brought the country into the rock'n roll era. Then the malaise brought on by the Vietnam war turned music from the unbridled joyful enthusiasm of Little Richard to the more somber efforts like Barry McGuire's Eve of Destruction. Then on to the “classic rock”... so it goes with tastes shifting every decade or so.
The same could be said within Christian music that went from hymn books in the pews to George Beverly Shea to the Imperials, to Carmen – and so on. Times change and tastes change – but there are forces pushing and accelerating these changes beyond the generational desire for something of their own.
The music business – both secular and sacred – requires a steady stream of new material to sell to the consuming public. If I am happy with my Linda Ronstadt music, which I am, then Taylor Swift comes as a nice try. Similarly, I am happy with the Cathedrals, Jordanaires and Keith Green, and many of the things they are peddling today that give me little inspiration? Yet they push and push – gotta make a buck. So it is also an institutional effort to replace the music that has comforted people for decades... centuries even.
Change is the only constant in our lives. If we are seeking our Creator, He won't let us get too far sidetracked by either the traditional or contemporary music we are led to sing. If today's guitar strumming worship leader leaves you cold, it's good to remember that he has a responsibility to the Creator and he may be doing exactly what he is supposed be doing for the new people in the congregation. If he is not, it is a much higher power he must answer to. This is why it is essential to keep the worship leaders in our prayers just as we do the pastors.
What this means is that, just like additional study being necessary for a more complete understanding of scripture, you may find the inspiration you need at other times from other sources. For instance, I usually prepare my breakfast to the sounds of Pandora's Southern Gospel station that features the greats of the past, to which I added a little Andre Crouch. If I want some of the newer artists, I play the Karen Peck station... or for something a little more radical: Larry Norman.
The thing to remember is that Sunday morning isn't the only time to hear, appreciate and learn from Christian music – or at least it shouldn't be.
PS: If you've never heard of some of these people mentioned, check them out. You may be surprised what is out there.