Hi Chris....You know I still can not get use to seeing you with all that hair.

Hi all,
Currently, I attend the Alpena, MI church and we use the hymnal. Usually, when someone does special music, tho, it is not from the hymnal. There is one gentleman who plays guitar and sings and he has a kind of old style country/bluegrass flair to his music. I love it!@ Of course, that is what I grew up with. I have told this man that he should record some songs. He said he has thought about it, but it costs $$$$$ to be able to do it. Well, at least I can enjoy his voice for a couple more months anyway.

My only problem with people playing the piano or organ during church service is that they slow the songs down so bad that it feels like you are trudging thru it. I almost fall asleep halfway thru it! Think about #337, the faster moving version of "Redeemed." Now, at the right tempo, it should take about 1.5 minutes to sing the whole song (give or take about 15 seconds). Unfortunately, most of the time, we have people play it at a tempo that stretches the song to 2.5-3 minutes. So, it isn't just the songs we sing, it is how they are played.Singing the song too slow can be just as bad as singing it with a syncopated rhythm.

Now, since we are talking about the music sung/played in church, does anyone know what the Hinsdale, IL church is like? I have contacted one of the Hinsdale pastors and received a reply. This pastor forwarded my email the the Glen Ellyn, IL pastor, but I have yet to hear from him. Any info about the Hinsdale church would be greatly appreciated.

The music at Hinsdale is mixed, so it is hard to categorize. I'd say it is mostly traditional, with piano, organ, and a mix of hymns and praise songs. There are elements of the present day also such as video projector screens, some modern praise music with the words on the screens, etc. Music is very professional. Several piano players are career musicians, and a Rodgers organ rep? comes in as a guest and plays from time to time, etc. We have everything from occasional classical performances with a chamber orchestra to modern contemporary specials with a sound track. Oh, and I forgot to mention the choir & men's chorus who perform occasionally also. I suppose this is somewhat typical of bigger churches. Basically, were spoiled! Or really blessed, to be more politically correct.

There is also an afternoon service in the smaller chapel called 180 that is more contemporary, with a band including guitars, piano, a bass, & drums oriented somewhat more to the younger & seeker crowd. Several baptisms have occured as a result of this ministry over the past few years.

Susan wrote: "Singing the song too slow can be just as bad as singing it with a syncopated rhythm."

Susan, can you give us an example of what you mean by singing the song (you were referring to songs out of the SDA Hymnal) with a syncopated rhythm?

I'm curious whether contributors to this forum are dismayed by contemporary renditions of traditonal worship songs.

How about when Junior screeches out "Jesus Loves Me" on his pint-sized violin? Does that bother anyone?

I'm I "dismayed by contemporary renditions of traditonal worship songs"?

Not at all, I think whenever we can get people singing the old songs with their messages we are all blessed. New renditions will someday be the old traditional songs for our kids and grand kids.

It might bother my ears when junior screeches out Jesus Loves Me on a violin but it warms my heart to see him praising the Creator.

Redfog

I believe there should be a balance here concerning Junior "screeching" on his violin for the church service. The Spirit of Prophecy outlines basic principles for good music in our churches.

To "screech" is not one of them. Mrs. White speaks of learning how to sing and play instruments properly and nicely in the services. If junior has learned how to play his violin well and makes a small mistake, this can be overlooked.

One of the basic purposes of singing or playing an instrument well is to touch hearts so that they are more open to the influence of the Holy Spirit. This is why so often the special music is just before the Pastor gets up to preach. The music is to prepare hearts to be open to what God wants them to hear from His Word.

Karl,
First off, my name is not Susan, it is STEPHANIE. Big difference.

Second, I was commenting on something stated on page one about syncopated rhythms. One person said they are bad (not a direct quote, just paraphrasing) and I was just saying that singing too slow can have an undesirable effect as well. However, I have heard a song played on piano and drums, during a music seminar presented by my (then) pastor, Karl Tsatalbasidis. I believe the song was "Redeemed" and you would not have recognized it as the same song. However, I have heard three versions of that same song, sung. Two are in the hymnal, one I learned at a retreat. While most of the older generation (the people I know anyway) prefers the faster version in the hymnal (#337), I prefer the other two versions. The third one is a cross between the other two. It is hard to explain it. I hope there are some people on here who know what I'm saying. It would be so nice to have someone sing it & put it online so I could explain it better. Actually, it would be nice to have that for all the versions of the song...hehe

Anyway, I think I have rambled enough.... I hope you understand what I am trying to say.....

Stephanie, if you were quoting (paraphrasing) me about what I said about syncopation, I don't believe I said it was "bad." What I said was that "highly syncopated music" isn't the best for the church services. Maybe you were quoting someone else.??

If the music makes you want to move/dance, then it is best to leave it out of the church services. Some of the hymns have some syncopation but not the kind that makes you want to dance.

There are several types of syncopation and if a song has enough to make you desire to move to the beat or dance, then that is the type of music not appropriate to have in the church services. If one wants to listen to it at home, in the car or other places, that is a personal decision.

By the way Stephanie, sounds like you are feeling better after your surgery! Nice to hear you on here!!

To be honest, I don't feel like dancing or moving to the beat with a lot of songs...... even those that others believe should not be in worship service.....I guess it's just the way I am made up...However, there are some types that just should not be in the church service. I acknowledge that readily. I mean, if someone sings a song, and the background music is so loud, and I don't mean just that the PA system is turned up too high, that it detracts from the message of the lyrics, then it shouldn't be sung in church service. I admit, I listen to such groups as Petra, DC Talk, MercyMe, FFH, Point of Grace, Casting Crowns, etc. Some songs by each are suitable to sing as special music, but others should not be sung in worship service. I mean, I might sing "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns as special music, but I wouldn't sing their song "If We Are the Body" Why? Because I feel that the background music would not set the mind to the message the pastor has prepared. If you check out their website, you will know what I mean. Now, if I am cleaning the house, or driving down the road, yeah, I'll play the other song. It helps me stay busy and keeps me awake

About the comment on being "bad" music, I guess I didn't really mean bad, necessarily. I just meant that they are maybe, bad for the church service...... sound a little better? Just that too much of a beat, etc. doesn't belong in worship service... usually gives me a headache anyway.... hehehe

Thanks for the welcome back, Debbie! I AM feeling better!

Wow, Steph

I think we corporately need "If We Are the Body" a lot more than we do "Who am I?"

Our religion is far too self-centered.