Traditional Vs. Contemporary Worship
Driving into town I noticed a bright yellow banner draped over the conventional brick sign of the city’s oldest church announcing, "New Contemporary Worship at 11:00 AM." "Traditional" worship was held earlier. The church had developed a "two-track" system which preserved the old while accommodating the new.
Many churches adopt a similar arrangement. It appears to be the best of both worlds. Older people generally are more comfortable with traditional forms of worship. Younger people clamor for a church that is culturally relevant. Church leaders attribute the tension to a "generation gap" and reason, "We must be sensitive to the young, if the church is going to survive. Our music, ceremonies and preaching have to be attractive to the community; otherwise, we shall become a church of "gray heads" doomed to extinction." So, the traditional/contemporary discussion is frequently perceived as age-related. Those who denounce contemporary worship are 50+. Those who relish the "new ways" are under 50. But, is it simply a matter of age? Or, are there solid biblical reasons for rethinking the contemporary model?
What is Worship?
The traditional/contemporary division in the church is not primarily a product of the generation gap. Rather, it is an issue arising from a misunderstanding of the basic meaning of worship. Many see "worship" and "experience" as synonymous terms. Churches hire "worship leaders" to enhance the "worship experience." They plan everything in the morning service except the preaching. The worshiper is presented with a dual pattern. First, music, drama, dance, testimonies and prayer are introduced as essential elements of worship. Second, comes preaching which is considered the instructive part of the service. As such, it tends to fade into the background. Why? Because preaching is not interactive. Music involves the person in active participation. Preaching necessitates passive involvement. Music addresses the feelings. Preaching speaks to the mind. Our society would rather "feel" than "think." We are products of the "video age." Therefore, it is easier to attract and hold crowds with the fine arts. A definition of worship that makes "personal experience" the key factor plays into our cultural norm.
But, how is worship defined in the Bible? Solomon wrote, "Guard your steps when you go to the House of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools..."(Ecc.5:1). When Luke recorded the history of first century Christians, he described their worship service in the following way: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."(Acts 2:42) The Apostle Paul in writing to Titus about Church Elders declared, "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."(Ti.1:9) The central theme running through the Scriptures regarding worship is: biblical instruction is the core of true worship. It is the heart and foundation of what transpires when the church meets on Sunday. Music, prayer and testimonies are responses to God's biblical revelation. The more I learn of God, the better my response can be. The fine arts are important and are part of worship, but, they must be seen as secondary to God's revelation in His Word. My praise for Him in music can grow and deepen only as my understanding of the Bible increases.
What about Contemporary Worship?
Generally, the major change in a contemporary worship service is the style of music. Keyboards, drums, guitars, etc. replace the standard piano and organ. Hymnals give way to large screens and projectors. Historic hymns are exchanged for light and catchy choruses. Christian words are put to secular rhythms. If an objection is raised, advocates of this "new style" reply, "If the Church is going to reach the community, it must become user-friendly. Besides, musical styles are unimportant as long as the words are Christian." So, everything from "hard rock" to "rap" is sanitized by changing the words. In some strange way the music of the street has become the music of the Church. Supporters quickly point to the numbers flocking to contemporary churches to give further evidence of God's blessing, "We are reaching people who would never darken the door of the church. They feel comfortable with our contemporary tone and atmosphere."
But, there are some other considerations that cast a different light on contemporary worship. First, if music is a response to God and His revelation (and it is!), rhythmic patterns are as important as words. To borrow the world's music to reflect my heart response to the King of Kings is totally inappropriate. Rhythm sets a mood. Certain styles of music are appropriate for certain occasions. For example, when the President of the United States enters a room the band does not play "Rubber Ducky You’re the One." The bride at her wedding does not march down the aisle to "Taps." Nor, do you expect to hear "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" at a funeral. The Church's music must appropriately reflect the reverence and dignity due to our Lord. To use the music of the street associated with the lifestyles of the world to worship God is counterproductive. It is catering to the community while being disrespectful to our Creator.
Second, the thinking behind a contemporary model of worship is contrary to the biblical purpose of Sunday services. The corporate service is for the "equipping of the Saints"(Eph. 4:11-16). It is a time for God's people to grow in grace and knowledge of their Lord and to respond accordingly. Any attempt to make a service attractive to non-Christian people is to compromise God's design for the Church. The Bible describes the unregenerate as "dead in their trespasses and sins." The Apostle Paul declared, "There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God"(Rom. 3:11). How is it possible for a Church to construct a worship service for the purpose of attracting non-Christians without compromising biblical standards? How is it possible for a rebel against God to worship Him? The answer to both questions is obvious: it is not possible. Some will say, "If you are right, how do we reach out to those who desperately need the gospel?" The answer is both simple and profound. It is our responsibility to take the gospel to our families, our neighborhoods, our schools and workplaces. We are called to be the Lord's witnesses by our lifestyles and our communications.
Third, a contemporary structure of worship often removes a local assembly from the rich heritage of Church history. How so? When the hymnal is removed from the pew, many of the historic hymns are lost to the congregation. Hymns like "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" written by Martin Luther, the great Protestant reformer, are unknown to a new generation. The lessons of history become unimportant to a contemporary crowd. Consequently, doctrinal error can subtly infiltrate a sincere group of people just wanting a "worship experience."
Fourth, a traditional/contemporary division of services in the Church produces disunity. Nowhere in the Bible are God's people directed to divide on the basis of "worship preferences." In fact, the biblical pattern is for the young to learn from the old (Ti. 2:1-7). In a society that idolizes youth and deplores aging, the Church can mirror the same. How sad for a Church to cast aside the wisdom of age in an attempt to fill its pews. How devastating to the unity of the Church when leaders develop a "two-track" system.
The Right Questions
There are a wide range of worship styles that fit a biblical model. The major problem today is many leaders are not asking the right questions. What is the biblical purpose of a Sunday service? What styles of music best harmonize with that purpose? What can be used from the "fine arts" to enhance biblical worship? Unfortunately, the questions most asked are, "What can we do to bring people into our service? How can we be more accommodating? How can we be more attractive?" If you start with the wrong questions you inevitably develop wrong answers. God's Church is too important to be compromised by non-biblical thinking. The worship service should be defined by the Bible, not the street.
