Church Music: Contemporary or Traditional?

In order to accomodate people's varying music tastes, churches provide different services offering diverse styles of music. The two most common are the "contemporary" and the "traditional."

When a service hosts "traditional" music, old hymns are likely to be played accompanied by a piano, but many times, a pipe organ and a full on choir and orchestra. "Contemporary" worship is generally led by a few worship leaders, guitar (acoustic & bass) players, keyboarder, drummer. Old hymns are only present if the melody is changed or set more to an upbeat rhythm. Many of my favorite songs are so-called "contemporary" music.

However, much controversy has arisen in churches over what is the more "Biblical" type of worship style or whether one type is right, wrong, inappropriate for God's house of worship, etc. This issue came to my attention not only after having experienced some friction at a previous church between the two services with different music types, but also in a theology class I'm currently taking.

Complaints should arise, of course, if for example the words of a song are found to be unbiblical in the doctrine they express. But, God simply desires our worship in whatever musical taste He's given us. Psalm 150: 3-5 says:

"Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals."

God has given us different likes, talents, and gifts. We should use all of these things he has given us, including music, to worship Him. It's sad to see churches divide over the issue of different worship music.

1 Peter 4:10 states "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

Both of these verses are affirmations of God's desire of our worship as styles of music change.

Personally, I love it when services integrate contemporary AND traditional music. The rich melodies and reflection of Bible verses of the old hymns combine so nicely with the inspiring words and upbeat rhythm of new songs.

Let's turn to Psalm 98:4 for classic inspiration:

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music"