Worship Preferences

[chocoholic]

  My personal feeling is that I like a small church.  I’ve been in big churches to visit and felt totally out of place and left feeling thankful and anxious to go back to my small church.  Now I’m not saying that the people out in the world don’t need the Lord, or that I shouldn’t ask people to come to church, but what I am saying is that I do not feel comfortable in a larger church, and if we got too big, I’d probably look for a small church again.  

The other side of that is, right now, our church has a pretty good mix of some choruses in the beginning and then a prayer hymn and closing hymn.  I lean more to the old-fashioned hymns of the church—especially in a worship service--and I absolutely love the piano and organ.  I like the choruses, and I like orchestras and some bands—on the RADIO, tape, or CD, but NOT in church.  If they ever move towards a “worship team”, drums, guitars, etc., I’d be looking for another church.  That just is NOT my style.  I know that probably attracts some people to a church, and that’s great, but it’s not my style and I do not feel at all comfortable in a worship setting with that kind of stuff.  I’ve been in other churches where they had such things and I couldn’t wait to get out of there!

  I can’t reconcile my own desires and style versus “growing with the times” to reach others with things that completely turn me off.  In other words, if a more modern service/music would appeal to someone, but I don't want to go myself to that kind of atmosphere, and that person doesn't want to come to my comfortable older type atmosphere, how can I ask people to come to church and other functions?  I've tried going to some of the more modern things, and simply hated it.

What’s your take on these things?  Is it wrong or selfish of me to want to attend a church or activity where I feel comfortable and avoid the ones that make me uncomfortable?  If not, then, how can I invite someone to church if it's not their style?

In addition, what if a church has gained people because they like our small, "old fashioned" type church environment, and then pastor or some people want to change to newer ideas to attract people?  I believe that if people were attracted to us because we were small and because of the type of service we had, we should not change--let those who want a different type service and bigger church go to that kind of church.  I could go on, but I think you'll get the idea.

[energizerbunny]

Honestly, I like them both.  Modern Worship draws younger people to the church because when they buy a CD or something, it sounds almost exactly like what they hear at chuch.  Modern Worship is a great way to get others in church.  Modern Worship has a feel of intimacy (like Breathe and The Heart of Worship)  Whilest sometimes, it just makes you relate to the songs (This is Your Time, and I could Sing of Your Love Forever)  When the invitation comes, usually you don't have to worry about what others think because most of them go to the altar.
But the old-fashioned worship also fits.  The messages apply to all of the congregation.  Not just the teenagers. Afterall, I think the most important part of worship is the message.  But you do have to step out and be known unto those people when you go to the altar.  
Personally, I go to a old-fashioned type, but I would much rather enjoy a contemporary worship service because I can relate to much of the songs sung.  At an old-fashioned one, most of the words are all out of date and stuff.  That's just my opinion.

[Willowbirch]

I love the "old" hymns; so powerful and beautiful, and full of meat for the soul. They feel as though they've come from a flaming heart devoted to God; clean, heavenly, theological, and lovingly fearful. Often they move me to tears; they are precious gems, when sung from a worshipful heart, though many people seem to find them dull.

I attend a church (medium-size) where the song service consists of new and old music, and although I don't always like the style, it is so good to praise God with His children.

It is not the style that makes a song worthy. I am trying very, very hard to realize that, LOL! My preference in style must not overcome my need to worship God with my mouth.

I used to cry in church sometimes because I was depressed over the "new" stuff we had to sing all the time; even if we sang a great hymn, it was changed to a new rhythm (with added choruses!) so it would fit in with the rest of the service. It just wore me down, and burned my brain out. How could "they" rejoice in this mind-numbing fashion? And how could I let the praises of God affect me this way?

God is teaching me, even over the past month, that I shouldn't be offended at anything that is sung in His precious Name. As long as a song is doctrinally sound (I've heard some on Christian radio that just aren't) then that song can't hurt me, but my preference for style can! Not to say that I should give up my love for other music; when I sing by myself, I usually choose old hymns and Psalms.

I am thankful that the "modern" songs we sing at church are selected carefully to provide worship that is true and thoughtful. I may not love the style, but I can love the praises of God.