Re: [Worship] Recommendations for Churches Integrating Praise Style Worshipwith Traditional

[Sharon Warden <smarwar@yahoo.com>]

Hi:  I have been following this thread with interest
(having read Sally Morgenthaler's book, "Worship
Evangelism" and other works about "modern praise" and
how "we gotta get it right".  And I agree completely,
well ALMOST completely; however I would like to point
out something, which may not be true in every case
certainly, and our role as Christians, particularly in
the worship end, is to point the pathways to Our Lord,
but I have found that if the worshipper is reaching
out to Him, no matter what kind of song or dance
he/she is doing, if the heart is there and reaching
out to God, He will come, and more often than not,
like a flood.  

I am saying that because of something that happens to
me frequently - that if the Holy Spirit quickens the
lyrics and/or the tune, it can cause a terrific
response, even if the words are "moldy-oldy" packaged
in old, old tunes.  For instance, the last time we
sang Faith of Our Fathers, it brought tears to my eyes
as the Holy Spirit quickened those words to me - in
spite of dungeon, fire and sword.  This is so true
today of the persecuted church, so these words can be
relevant, if we just think on them.  

That said, I play piano for a nursing home service
(the residents' "church") that the local Seventh Day
Adventist church conducts every Tuesday, week in and
week out; these faithful people go, hold a service and
sing "hymns" right out of their hymnal, do special
music out of their hymnal, etc.  The church is mostly
older people, Carribean descent, most of them, but
very proper; but I'll you, when they sing those hymns,
it SURE DOES SOUND like praise and worship to me!  And
it inspires me to play with much more ability than I
have, truly, and even gives goosebumps (and I am a
died in the wool drumbeat, modern worship, Vineyard,
British Awakening, etc. fanatic).  They sing with such
heart and feeling that I'm sure it could even bring
tears to the eyes of Our Savior.  So I think the
praise and worship mode HAS to be a matter of the
heart first; then, let the music and instrumentalists,
dance, everything else come!  And it will.  Scripture
says if we don't praise Him, the stones will! 

Today, the Lord was there in that service, which
consisted of singing congregational hymns, one trio, 4
separate soloists (newest, Because He Lives), reading
poems and personal testimony.  It was beautiful.  My
point after this ramble - praise and worship is praise
and worship, no matter how packaged, and can be
relevant to all generations!  It is a matter of the
heart.  
Sharon 
Florida 



> 
> Here would be my recommendations learned the
> old-fashioned way -- by doing
> it wrong the first time!!!
> 
> #1 -- Identify the way your older members worship. 
> Often, they prefer quiet
> reverent reflection, and so cannot initially relate
> to celebration type
> worship.  In our blended service we actually have
> two times of worship:  we
> open with praise and worship, then in the middle of
> our service we sing
> hymns and have the more traditional aspects of our
> faith background.
> 
> #2 -- Identify the kinds of hymns to which your
> younger worshippers can
> relate.  Yes, there really are quite a few if you
> are open and creative.
> Also, contemporary has little to do with copyright
> date.  I have seen some
> older worship leaders who try to present modern
> hymns as praise and worship.
> A hymn is a hymn is a hymn no matter when it was
> written.
> 
> #3 -- Find ways to help your younger worshippers
> come back into the service
> after a stretch of "traditional liturgy."  My
> favorite way is the skit where
> I use my teenagers.  Other ways might be choir
> numbers that alternate
> between traditional and modern, worship dance,
> special music, or
> children's/youth presentations.
> 
> I hope this helps,
> 
> Pastor Dave Humpal ebedyah@elite.net
> First Christian Church, Merced, California



__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Send your FREE holiday greetings online!
http://greetings.yahoo.com
*******************************************************************
Looking for praise and worship music?  Visit our list sponsor at:
                   http://www.worshipmusic.com

Need help with your subscription? Contact worship-help@praise.net
*******************************************************************