Jerry's Journal

Entry - April 16, 2008

"Thank you for addressing so eloquently the problem with music in most of our churches today. I think this is just the beginning for getting away from the gospel truths that were in the old hymns that have blessed our hearts for generations. Our church recently moved out of the city of Jackson, MS to the city of Madison, MS and our organ was left in the old church…they did not want it in the new church. They left all our hymnals…they did not want them in the new church. Even in what is supposed to be the traditional service for the older members who don't like the P&W junk, we sing maybe one or two hymns and the rest is the P & W junk all just words flashed on two huge screens at the front of the church while the praise team of 6 individuals stand behind the Minister of Music to lead us while someone plays a keyboard, drums, guitars, etc. I sometimes feel like I'm at a rock concert. We also had pew Bibles along with the hymnals at our old church and they gave those to some organization that gives Bibles to people who can't afford them. I'm like you, will they remove the Bible later and start just telling us stories, like some denominations do now? I get so hungry to hear good old hymns that until gasoline got so expensive, I was driving approximately 150 miles each weekend going back to my home church out in the country with my brother and sister in law. There are times when I feel like I need to apologize to God and ask His forgiveness for being part of such a "worship" service.

The only reason you haven't gotten a response from me sooner on this is because of the tornadoes that ripped through Jackson, MS on Friday, April 4th. I didn't have electricity until Tuesday night and have been so busy trying to get downed trees cut up and hauled away, etc. that tonight is the first chance I've had to check Singing News on line. I always enjoy your articles but this was by far my favorite. I say "Amen!!!" to everything you said! Keep up the good work!"


"I was raised on the "old" hymns however, I like all types of music. I cannot for the life of me get anything from chanting the same words over and over to a beat designed to excite "younger" people. My theory is that many people like these "songs" because of the beat and because they cannot "carry a tune in a bucket" much less sing harmony. I'm not sure they have anything to do with worship at all.
Praise and worship (in my opinion) is to be sung or spoken TO the Lord and not AT Him. It is not meant to be used as entertainment for an audience—but that's another story."


"I read your comments regarding church music with interest. I tend to agree with your sentiments. I am the music leader at a Nazarene church and am under pressure from some elements of the church but not the pastor to change the music style for the reasons that you point out.

QUESTION: Are you and I correct or are we just old and set in our ways?" J.K. Note: I am going to vote for: "You and I are correct." It's my blog.


"Thank you for stating so clearly the sentiments of many people regarding the music in the church today. What a thrill to have been raised on the "Old" hymns. I play piano and organ in church. We now have a new pastor (31 yrs. old.) He doesn't care for the organ and most of the music is contemporary. He doesn't think the organ sounds good playing contemporary music. I love Southern Gospel. Young people need to hear the hymns. They contain a message that gives strength for the day. God Bless."


"The Bible says "God inhabits the praises of his people." We say that is what God wants is us to praise him and worship so we do it with Praise and Worship music. But for the most part, and I am judging, the people who are singing P&W you can't tell from their actions if they are a Christian when you see them at work. They don't conduct themselves as Christian in their business and day to day activities. God don't live in our P&W songs. Inhabit means he lives or dwells in the praises of his people.

We worship Him and praise Him in the life that we live, because He lives in us, and the way we live brings Him praise and honor. If all your praise and worship is done in the church and none of your P&W is done outside the church, then the P&W is worthless in the church."


"Keep this BLOG going for a while as this is a good thing !!!"


"I agree with you 100%, I'm a native American and got saved at the age of 12, listening to the Creek hymns sung from the heart and listening to conviction preaching. I like the hymns I grew up with such as Amazing Grace. Songs on the wall does nothing for me. I wonder how Jesus feels about this. The Holy Sprit is still saves the young people. AMEN"


"I just wish people weren't so narrow minded to believe that church can't be fun and a worshipful, life-changing experience. Our congregation average age is 35. I have found that the people who like singing out of a hymnbook to a piano and organ usually consist of people over the age of 60 and all have their own churches that are full of "their" kind that don't want to reach out to the community, see people changed or grow at all. All they wanna do is get together every Sunday and sing songs they sang years ago. So, I have learned, if we want churches full of old people that are gonna die off and leave nothing behind, then we need to keep doing things the exact same way we've been doing them for 100 years. How many people have walked the aisles, made professions of faith, been baptized at your church lately? If your church isn't constantly growing and duplicating itself, what is it? Sounds like a social club where people get together and soothe their consciences every week. I get soooooo sick of people and their comments downing contemporary music. Most people who put it down are just scared to death of it because they can't play it or sing it. I have never performed a song that doesn't glorify my Savior and uplift the kingdom of God. My only request is that before we put down music because of its complexity, let's look at what we're trying to do. We are all on the same team trying to reach a lost world. Whether you choose the medium of awesome, complex praise and worship, or you choose simple mundane southern gospel that a 6 year old could play, it all does the same thing, glorifies our Savior. And I promise you one thing, nothing I do on Sunday morning with my band could be duplicated in any 7-11."

Posted by Jerry Kirksey at 1:26 PM - Send Comments - Email This Post