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As a guitar player and musician I must admit that Christian rock just makes me wince. They even have some fairly hard rock Christian bands but the religious lyrics combined with loud rock guitar just don't go together. I also hate the arm waving thing that the people in the audience get into at a concert but I guess that's just me.
I suppose you can put whatever lyrics you want to rock music, but it's hard for me to make the connection between christianity and rock n' roll. But alot of people do make that connection, because alot of mega churches have soft rock type music. Like anything else, it's really supply and demand. People want more contemporary music in church, so the churches give it to them, and the churches grow and you have alot of mega churches with rock style music.
So yeah, in a way I have a hard time not thinking of Christian rock as corny, but they give the people what they want and I can't really fault them for that.
Interesting to note, 500 years ago, the organ was controversial in the church.
Christians in the early church originally protested the bringing in of the organ into the church saying it was a "worldly" instrument. The organ at that time was used to signal praise in the emperor's court, like trumpets are used when someone of royalty was formally entering. Around 500 AD the church began to adopt the usage of the organ from culture and used it to signal the entering of the Pope. So there was protest from Christians who felt there was compromise happening and that the church was allowing a worldly instrument into the church.
Vintage Faith: The controversial organ (http://www.dankimball.com/vintage_faith/2008/07/the-controverci.html - broken link)
I like to sing...so going to a church where there is plenty of music and they provide lyrics (either on the screen, in a little booklet, or something) is nice.
I attended church with a friend of mine a few years ago and I liked that the church displayed the lyrics via Powerpoint. They didn't sing long enough for my tastes....I like at least 30 minutes...but I can always sing at home or in the car.
If I had to attend church, I would like a church with no more than 200 people, people don't seem fake or materialistic, there is lots of music (fast paced and slow paced), and you feel welcomed no matter what, even if you're a homeless 5'2 transgendered purple-haired beauty queen.
I still listen to some music that is considered Christian. I like some of Superchick's earlier music, Rachel Lampa... I don't really pay attention to the verses that mention "god," "his grace," "your mercy," etc.
If I had to chose, I believe I would go with the smaller church. More personal, more of a family feeling. The mega churches are just too loud with a false sense of being at a rock concert - with the preacher being the star.
Really, I think I would prefer a small Quaker church where everyone sits still until they felt 'moved' to speak.
I agree, I am not really a frequent church goer, but when I do attend it is almost exclusively at small Quaker meeting. There is something about the silence and the occasional messages from someone I really enjoy.
There is more than one way to church people and hard rock is not a bad way to go.
If the people you are approaching are street dwellers, teens, on the edge, people, GUTS Church in Tulsa is taking the Gospel to where those people live.
As a guitar player and musician I must admit that Christian rock just makes me wince. They even have some fairly hard rock Christian bands but the religious lyrics combined with loud rock guitar just don't go together. I also hate the arm waving thing that the people in the audience get into at a concert but I guess that's just me.
Montana Guy, I agree about the hands in the air thing at church. I don't get it. I guess it brings people 6 inches closer ot heaven, or something. But I digress...
Montana Guy, I agree about the hands in the air thing at church. I don't get it. I guess it brings people 6 inches closer ot heaven, or something. But I digress...
It's basically to symbolize submission. By placing your hands in the air we are submitting to God, and declaring his sovereignty and holiness. It's an act of worship.
I don't go to a "holy roller" church where I'm constantly waving my hands around...but I do raise a hand or two on a song or two each week.
Interesting to note, 500 years ago, the organ was controversial in the church.
Christians in the early church originally protested the bringing in of the organ into the church saying it was a "worldly" instrument. The organ at that time was used to signal praise in the emperor's court, like trumpets are used when someone of royalty was formally entering. Around 500 AD the church began to adopt the usage of the organ from culture and used it to signal the entering of the Pope. So there was protest from Christians who felt there was compromise happening and that the church was allowing a worldly instrument into the church.
Vintage Faith: The controversial organ (http://www.dankimball.com/vintage_faith/2008/07/the-controverci.html - broken link)
jimmiej,
Though I am not a Christian, it was always interesting to me that there were/are those who so adamantly opposed the use of instruments in worship music, especially on the "worldly" charge. I could not see how they could stand by that tenet when considering Psalm 150, especially verses 3 - 5.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Though I am not a Christian, it was always interesting to me that there were/are those who so adamantly opposed the use of instruments in worship music, especially on the "worldly" charge. I could not see how they could stand by that tenet when considering Psalm 150, especially verses 3 - 5.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
I guess it's a question of who the focus is on.
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