"New" is "Old"
A few days ago the creator of this fine website threw me a bone and played the part of provocateur (something I needed since my brain is checking out more than usual as it decompresses from the long school year) regarding two related topics in the musical ministry. I thought I would share his questions/prodding and then follow with my somewhat inconclusive thoughts.
Kent: What's a popular praise chorus we often sing during the altar service that kind of epitomizes the times & the more upbeat Ap culture simultaneously? Would it be an Israel song or something else?
When I first read this question, the song “Here I Am To Worship” immediately came to mind as well as “How Great Is Our God.” Both songs fit the altar service well – one places us in a posture of surrender and humility and the other leaves us rejoicing and in awe of God’s limitless nature, thus building our faith.
Kent: I can't help but think Israel has become our national (church) poet, the one we quote, share and excitedly anticipate when he comes out with a new CD. That said I do notice New Life [the church Kent, his family, and I attend]/Gateway thinks we're "contemporary" when we're basically singing his songs from 7 years ago (New Season) & few beyond that.
I suppose for me the irony is we eschew the hymns because they're old, but we're hardly singing new songs, though we pretend we are. We've just moved the songs to OUR [present generation] level of comfort from THEIR [older generation] level of comfort haven't we? Seems like there can be a healthier mix of songs & a greater acknowledgement of our own biases...
With regards to presenting “old” music as “new,” sometimes I think it just takes a while for us to let go of our current “new” music. I wonder if this is linked to what is often a defensive posture we assume when it comes to our doctrine? Also, as the style of music changes, depending on the particular congregation, it can be a slow process to accept new music. I wonder if this contributes to our thinking we’re contemporary when often we are not. I will say, however, that personally I think we do a pretty good job of keeping up. I’m not sure how to make this thought clear, but I wonder if, because we are apostolic, does that limit us in any way with regards to what we do/do not sing? I really do not know how to answer that question at this point. This may be an inflammatory statement, but I’m not so sure I want to be like/sound like much of what I hear in the most current music. I’m sure that’s just partly my own biases/preferences….I probably need to think that one through some more, so don’t quote me yet….!
Kent’s comments here brought to mind a conversation I had with Dr. James Littles, professor at Urshan Graduate School – one of my favorite “thinkers.” Dr. Littles and I were talking about the whole hymn/chorus debacle a few weeks ago and he commented something to the affect that he thinks it's a shame that we indirectly indicate (and often don't even realize it OR mean it) that we devalue the elders because we think we have to sing new, cutting edge things (or as our conversation indicates, we THINK we sing new, cutting edge things) to attract the youth. His point was: are youth the only age group we are trying to attract? I'm trying to witness to my 86 year-old neighbors and I can guarantee, they wouldn't get into some things we sing even at New Life.
As you can guess, this conversation went on a bit – in emails and in my mind! I really don’t mean to sound critical of Ap music – I really think we do a good job. And it heartens me to read/see/hear that we are thinking about what we do and how it specifically impacts the mission of the church….
To be continued…….
Kent: What's a popular praise chorus we often sing during the altar service that kind of epitomizes the times & the more upbeat Ap culture simultaneously? Would it be an Israel song or something else?
When I first read this question, the song “Here I Am To Worship” immediately came to mind as well as “How Great Is Our God.” Both songs fit the altar service well – one places us in a posture of surrender and humility and the other leaves us rejoicing and in awe of God’s limitless nature, thus building our faith.
Kent: I can't help but think Israel has become our national (church) poet, the one we quote, share and excitedly anticipate when he comes out with a new CD. That said I do notice New Life [the church Kent, his family, and I attend]/Gateway thinks we're "contemporary" when we're basically singing his songs from 7 years ago (New Season) & few beyond that.
I suppose for me the irony is we eschew the hymns because they're old, but we're hardly singing new songs, though we pretend we are. We've just moved the songs to OUR [present generation] level of comfort from THEIR [older generation] level of comfort haven't we? Seems like there can be a healthier mix of songs & a greater acknowledgement of our own biases...
With regards to presenting “old” music as “new,” sometimes I think it just takes a while for us to let go of our current “new” music. I wonder if this is linked to what is often a defensive posture we assume when it comes to our doctrine? Also, as the style of music changes, depending on the particular congregation, it can be a slow process to accept new music. I wonder if this contributes to our thinking we’re contemporary when often we are not. I will say, however, that personally I think we do a pretty good job of keeping up. I’m not sure how to make this thought clear, but I wonder if, because we are apostolic, does that limit us in any way with regards to what we do/do not sing? I really do not know how to answer that question at this point. This may be an inflammatory statement, but I’m not so sure I want to be like/sound like much of what I hear in the most current music. I’m sure that’s just partly my own biases/preferences….I probably need to think that one through some more, so don’t quote me yet….!
Kent’s comments here brought to mind a conversation I had with Dr. James Littles, professor at Urshan Graduate School – one of my favorite “thinkers.” Dr. Littles and I were talking about the whole hymn/chorus debacle a few weeks ago and he commented something to the affect that he thinks it's a shame that we indirectly indicate (and often don't even realize it OR mean it) that we devalue the elders because we think we have to sing new, cutting edge things (or as our conversation indicates, we THINK we sing new, cutting edge things) to attract the youth. His point was: are youth the only age group we are trying to attract? I'm trying to witness to my 86 year-old neighbors and I can guarantee, they wouldn't get into some things we sing even at New Life.
As you can guess, this conversation went on a bit – in emails and in my mind! I really don’t mean to sound critical of Ap music – I really think we do a good job. And it heartens me to read/see/hear that we are thinking about what we do and how it specifically impacts the mission of the church….
To be continued…….
posted by aahrens at
Friday, May 09, 2008
2 Comments:
Ann, I notice that the music culture existing outside of the church realm also likes music that fits in their comfort zones. Granted, we are dealing with more variety, but I believe human nature indicates we are hesitant to try anything that is really "new".
I also want to say that I am in total agreement with the statements about how we view the elderly. Again, I believe this is a cultural commentary that also exists outside the church realm. This is a subject far bigger than a comment, but has sparked much discussion in my little world.
You are quite right to point out that this issue exists outside the church as well. It then makes me wonder - who is influencing who? Or can influence be avoided, either way?
You're right- the elder/music issue is really indicative of a much larger "problem." I suppose we as musicians could make a pretty "loud" statement with our art/craft if we began to examine and be honest with ourselves on this. A much bigger subject than a comment, to be sure.
AA
Post a Comment
<< Home