CCM vs. Hymns

[deewee]

I found this to be an interesting article. It is a little long, but quite insightful. The reason I found it a good read: I have been a member of the same church since I was 15. I love my home church, I love my family there, and nothing could replace that for me. However, living where we do, it's just not possible for me to be as involved in my home church as I used to be (it's almost an hour away). While I'll never cut my home church out of my life, I've been feeling the need to find a place to worship, and get involved, closer to home. I've been kind of floating around since we moved to Polk county in 2011. Feeling at home, but feeling in a foreign land at the same time. I've prayed and prayed for somewhere out here to call home. After 3 years, the Lord led us to that place. It began with us being invited to rent the parsonage for a small church in Aragon. Yes, I live in a parsonage...and I love it. I feel safe, at home, protected, and loved there. Something I haven't felt in a loooooong time. Of course, after we moved there, the members (many of which I knew already...the small town thing, ya know) started asking me to come to church. I had a few reservations: feeling like I was "cheating" on my home church & family (yes, that was silly), and the fact that I knew they only sang from the hymn book. I like hymns, but had been in a church where CCM was the way we worshiped for so long, that I wasn't sure I'd get the same "feeling" from the music. I asked the Lord to please help me get beyond that road bump in my worship of Him at our new church.

I went, sang the hymns, was spiritually fed by the sermon. Decided to go again. I did. It was about my 3rd time there, that I began feeling MORE engaged by the hymns than I have ever felt by CCM. Engaged by my mind, soul, heart, just fully engaged. The words of the hymns jumped up from the pages and spoke to me. I realized then, that while CCM has it's place, the hymns can not be forgotten. They are much deeper than today's worship music. They hold more time tested truths than today's worship music. They actually envelope a heart and soul in worship, quietly, and without the "show". Worship isn't about "feelings", it's about God, and his truths permeating our very being. :love

And here's the article.
http://www.dancogan.com/my-journey-away-from-contemporary-worship-music
I thought this might be worthy of dialog, and wondered how others felt.

 

[Grey Colson]

I don't have anything against CCM other than it's just not my taste since I grew up with more traditional church music. I know many churches now have a mix and I think that's great! A little bit for everyone. The only problem I have is when churches refuse to allow ANY traditional music. Actually, it's not so much a "problem", I just will not attend.

Like I've mentioned to a few die-hard, "we won't have anything to do with traditional music" folks. Just remember...one day you will be older and would like to hear some of the music you grew up singing. Just hope that the young crowd with their even more contemporary music don't leave you out in the cold.

I'm just sayin' :dunno

 

[Guard Dad]

We have a bit of this struggle going on at our church right now.

I have no problem with CCM in concept; but it doesn't speak to me. And a lot of it I find theologically shallow. CCM was all the rage for awhile, but some of the newer studies are indicating that many churches have gone too far with the contemporary style of worship and some are starting to pull back to include more traditional elements in their worship services.

 

[ShoeDiva]

I am thinking from the three posts above that CCM means Contemporary Christian Music? (I will read the article later, just wanted to confirm the CCM)

 

[Guard Dad]

I am thinking from the three posts above that CCM means Contemporary Christian Music? (I will read the article later, just wanted to confirm the CCM)

You ain't as slow as we though you were.

 

[J-man]

I read that same article last week. I'm not "anti-CCM" but can only tolerate a smidgen of it. I love old hymns and prefer them over any other style but I concede the fact that a church should spiritually feed all within her congregation, not just a few or a certain group. The traditional hymns have stood the test of time but even they can be ineffective if not sung with enthusiasm. I just couldn't be part of a CCM only church, just as many others could not be part of a hymnal only church. Which reminds me, I had a blast at our Gospel Jam at church Friday night. It's one of the best outreach programs in which I've ever been involved. Everyone is invited and you have to choice of just enjoying the music or taking part either singing or playing an instrument. We take a break half way through for a meal of course (we're Baptist) then we start the 2nd half by singing a few hymns out of the "Red Book."

 

[deewee]

I am thinking from the three posts above that CCM means Contemporary Christian Music? (I will read the article later, just wanted to confirm the CCM)

Yes, that's correct.

 

[Guard Dad]

I read that same article last week. I'm not "anti-CCM" but can only tolerate a smidgen of it. I love old hymns and prefer them over any other style but I concede the fact that a church should spiritually feed all within her congregation, not just a few or a certain group. The traditional hymns have stood the test of time but even they can be ineffective if not sung with enthusiasm. I just couldn't be part of a CCM only church, just as many others could not be part of a hymnal only church. Which reminds me, I had a blast at our Gospel Jam at church Friday night. It's one of the best outreach programs in which I've ever been involved. Everyone is invited and you have to choice of just enjoying the music or taking part either singing or playing an instrument. We take a break half way through for a meal of course (we're Baptist) then we start the 2nd half by singing a few hymns out of the "Red Book."

I, too, am fine with a reasonable blend of music. I even like some of the modern music.

As for traditional hymms...a gifted worship leader can do them in a way that they are anything but boring. Same with the Red Book. A quartet I was in years ago used to take the old Redbook stuff and jazz them up. Good stuff!!

 

[ShoeDiva]

I am thinking from the three posts above that CCM means Contemporary Christian Music? (I will read the article later, just wanted to confirm the CCM)

You ain't as slow as we though you were.

Yes, that's correct.

;D
I have never attended a church that has contemporary music as its main music, it is not just in addition to the hymns? I guess I just never realized that.

 

[deewee]

I am thinking from the three posts above that CCM means Contemporary Christian Music? (I will read the article later, just wanted to confirm the CCM)

You ain't as slow as we though you were.

Yes, that's correct.

;D
I have never attended a church that has contemporary music as its main music, it is not just in addition to the hymns? I guess I just never realized that.

I remember plenty of services where the only music was contemporary, at my home church. Every once in a while they'd bring out a hymn.

I do want to add that I'm not against CCM, just not dependent on it to bring me to worship.

 

[Grey Colson]

I am thinking from the three posts above that CCM means Contemporary Christian Music? (I will read the article later, just wanted to confirm the CCM)

You ain't as slow as we though you were.

Yes, that's correct.

;D
I have never attended a church that has contemporary music as its main music, it is not just in addition to the hymns? I guess I just never realized that.

It was very difficult for us to find a home church a couple of years ago. I either felt like I was attending a youth rally or a funeral. Many of the nondenominational churches in our area are strictly CCM. Whatever floats their boat

 

[ShoeDiva]

I am thinking from the three posts above that CCM means Contemporary Christian Music? (I will read the article later, just wanted to confirm the CCM)

You ain't as slow as we though you were.

Yes, that's correct.

;D
I have never attended a church that has contemporary music as its main music, it is not just in addition to the hymns? I guess I just never realized that.

It was very difficult for us to find a home church a couple of years ago. I either felt like I was attending a youth rally or a funeral. Many of the nondenominational churches in our area are strictly CCM. Whatever floats their boat

) Speaking of nondenominational......I have heard people state that of churches around here, yet when I ask about things most sound Baptist to me. (Or like Lutheran's, Catholic light. :laugh )

 

[Grey Colson]

I am thinking from the three posts above that CCM means Contemporary Christian Music? (I will read the article later, just wanted to confirm the CCM)

You ain't as slow as we though you were.

Yes, that's correct.

;D
I have never attended a church that has contemporary music as its main music, it is not just in addition to the hymns? I guess I just never realized that.

It was very difficult for us to find a home church a couple of years ago. I either felt like I was attending a youth rally or a funeral. Many of the nondenominational churches in our area are strictly CCM. Whatever floats their boat

) Speaking of nondenominational......I have heard people state that of churches around here, yet when I ask about things most sound Baptist to me. (Or like Lutheran's, Catholic light. :laugh )

We visited a few that I had no idea what they were and you sure couldn't determine what their core beliefs were by listening to the preacher....if you want to call him that. There was one or two where I wasn't aware any preaching even took place. :dunno

 

[Guard Dad]

I am thinking from the three posts above that CCM means Contemporary Christian Music? (I will read the article later, just wanted to confirm the CCM)

You ain't as slow as we though you were.

Yes, that's correct.

;D
I have never attended a church that has contemporary music as its main music, it is not just in addition to the hymns? I guess I just never realized that.

It was very difficult for us to find a home church a couple of years ago. I either felt like I was attending a youth rally or a funeral. Many of the nondenominational churches in our area are strictly CCM. Whatever floats their boat

All it took was you sitting in my pew.

 

[Grey Colson]

I am thinking from the three posts above that CCM means Contemporary Christian Music? (I will read the article later, just wanted to confirm the CCM)

You ain't as slow as we though you were.

Yes, that's correct.

;D
I have never attended a church that has contemporary music as its main music, it is not just in addition to the hymns? I guess I just never realized that.

It was very difficult for us to find a home church a couple of years ago. I either felt like I was attending a youth rally or a funeral. Many of the nondenominational churches in our area are strictly CCM. Whatever floats their boat

All it took was you sitting in my pew.

It was in spite of your phew

 

[mei lan]

I am thinking from the three posts above that CCM means Contemporary Christian Music? (I will read the article later, just wanted to confirm the CCM)

You ain't as slow as we though you were.

Yes, that's correct.

;D
I have never attended a church that has contemporary music as its main music, it is not just in addition to the hymns? I guess I just never realized that.

It was very difficult for us to find a home church a couple of years ago. I either felt like I was attending a youth rally or a funeral. Many of the nondenominational churches in our area are strictly CCM. Whatever floats their boat

All it took was you sitting in my pew.

Oh, come on! Even turning a thread on worship music gay? :Stick

 

[mei lan]

DW - will come back and comment at length (I'll try to keep it under 5,000 words... ). Very good article. Very good. And I liked your comments as well.

SD - I have heard of a good number of RC churches going completely contemporary in their music.

 

[ShoeDiva]

DW - will come back and comment at length (I'll try to keep it under 5,000 words... ). Very good article. Very good. And I liked your comments as well.

SD - I have heard of a good number of RC churches going completely contemporary in their music.

:wut Where? I have not heard of that. (not that I have looked for it, just did not know it) They are not using a hymnal? That is just ....odd.

 

[mei lan]

DW - will come back and comment at length (I'll try to keep it under 5,000 words... ). Very good article. Very good. And I liked your comments as well.

SD - I have heard of a good number of RC churches going completely contemporary in their music.

:wut Where? I have not heard of that. (not that I have looked for it, just did not know it) They are not using a hymnal? That is just ....odd.

I want to say I've heard of one (or more) in Atlanta when I was living in Vinings. But that's been awhile, and I really can't remember. I do recall hearing about them in places like NYC as well.

 

[ShoeDiva]

DW - will come back and comment at length (I'll try to keep it under 5,000 words... ). Very good article. Very good. And I liked your comments as well.

SD - I have heard of a good number of RC churches going completely contemporary in their music.

:wut Where? I have not heard of that. (not that I have looked for it, just did not know it) They are not using a hymnal? That is just ....odd.

I want to say I've heard of one (or more) in Atlanta when I was living in Vinings. But that's been awhile, and I really can't remember. I do recall hearing about them in places like NYC as well.

I will check it out. (Well I will message someone and let them do the work for us. ) ) It will be interesting to know what they are using.