Jerry's Journal

Entry - April 8, 2008

"You are right on Jerry. Let them conform to our way of worship, not us to theirs. Maybe they could have their own service."

"Being a songwriter, I love new music. But in worship services, I am like you. I don't enjoy the "new" music. We are teaching an entire generation that "worship" is jamming with the band, chanting phrases and telling God who He is, over and over. I wonder if He likes it? He knows who He is, but I think He loves to hear who He is to us, personally. Random statements likely bounce off the ceiling, in my opinion. Hymns teach us theology, but also Music Theory. "Praise and Worship" teaches us that the music of our fathers is outdated. What is next? The faith of our fathers?"

"Mr. Kirksey said exactly what I feel. Granted I am 58 years old, but my grandchildren are 6 and 7 years old and I have taught them the words to as many hymns as I can and they LOVE it. Victory in Jesus is their very favorite!! They also love Gold City and their music. My 6 year old can sing every word to every Gold City song that they sing with them. In church when the praise and worship music starts that's when they want their pencils and paper to draw! "

"Amen!!!! Amen!!!!! Amen!!!!!!!! I love your thoughts on the whole attracting youth to church. Yes, parents need to get and take their children."

"Yes, you put it as simple as it can be, as far as what my mother and father did GET THEM UP, GET THEM DRESSED, AND TAKE THEM TO CHURCH. How much simpler can that be. As a young kid, sure I did not like getting ready to go, waiting on mom to get ready, but what I found out is…when I got there, and saw my friends, it was actually fun. Yes Church can be fun for a child…and you don't have to repeat the same verse 28 times, and my arms get tired also trying to hold them in the air that long…sorry…had to… thanks Jerry."

"I get so hungry to hear the hold hymns…Our children of this generation are missing so much."

"I'm 66 years old, the son of a Baptist preacher, so I have been in church all my life. Frankly, I find it refreshing to see Churches making an honest effort to reach young families. They are doing that through informal worship services and, yes, through contemporary music." J.K. Note: I did not address "contemporary music" in my blog. I referred only to P&W and 7-11 songs and music.

"Amen and amen! One of our pastors said we have to "compromise" but as I see it, the older folks are the ones doing all the compromising. We have a "traditional" and a "modern" service, but even in the traditional we have the choruses (I refuse to call them hymns) and the drums, guitars, etc…No organ anymore, no choir, just a worship team."

"Mr. Kirksey, Thank you so much for telling the truth. At our house we call it Bubble Gum Music. After the initial "pop" there is nothing left but to repeat the same phrases over and over again until the leader of the praise decides that they have exhausted that song and they can go to another. What is sad to me is that the children who are growing up with this music will not know these old hymns as words of encouragement that you can use throughout your day to lift yourself up as you go. Sometimes just humming a line or two from an old hymn can reaffirm in your mind that you are never walking alone, and that the sweet hour of prayer can be at anytime, and any place, facing any circumstance. I believe that the church has been sold a lie and too many are believing it about this music. I also believe the only way to keep your kids out of trouble is to keep them busy. My parents just like yours was, the way to stay out of trouble was get up and lets get to work. Being with your children is the best deterrent for keeping them out of trouble. We always took our children to Southern Gospel concerts and exposed them to music that would lift your spirit and give you something to shout to the Lord about. Thank you again to attempting to help us refocus our sights on what is eternal, not just another phase."

"A-men, brother—preach it!"

Posted by Jerry Kirksey at 8:05 AM - Send Comments - Email This Post