Music in the church: Argument of the Ages

Insights and Questions from Inclusive Yet Discerning--Frank Burch Brown

Traditional or Contemporary? What does that even mean?

For a musician and someone that knows and music history, specifically in the church, knows that music has outraged and sparked conversations throughout time with the addition of the music of the time. 

What is deemed 'traditional' today was contemporary of the past. Music insights something in people and the style of music has spoken to people in ways that words have also effected others. No matter the style or genre there is something said about how music speaks to the soul of a person. 

Nicholas Wolterstoff said "to enjoy beauty and thereby to enjoy God and God's creation, is both a duty and a delight.(-p16) 

Are the arguments or 'worship wars' really worth it when most worshipping communities are no longer monocultural.
As we live in consumer culture we find a deep desire to please ourselves, please others, but at what expense. We take and we give what we have and might be ignoring the possibilities of artful worship.
Kim Long in class asked us to, "Reframe conversations and talk about what does it mean to love a brother and sister in Christ through music. I may not like the (insert song or genre here) but I love the sister or brother that worships through that expression."

We may not like certain music, or art but when we stifle certain forms or argue over style or genre we are neglecting those sitting around us that may be connecting with God in real and important ways.

In choosing music or forms of art in worship we must know our context, our congregation, and the appropriateness to the worship service. 

"Discernment is as necessary in art as it is in life." (p.25)

Should we keep singing hymns that, while familiar--

or even comforting--

may be theologically unsound? 

Is the music that is deemed 'contemporary' today be the 'traditional' of the future?
What instrument, style, or art form be the 'worship war' or tomorrow?


Music is the form of art in the church that has been a part of worship life. We know that the Psalms has musical form to it, and the writers of scripture talked about the songs, instruments, and dancing in response to God's loving mercy, grace, or even wrath. This long history of music in the life of communal worship has given the people their theology and their deep memories. Which is why when we push the boundaries of the community there will be push back. This is why our conversations need to be reframed from an us vs. them. It is not about either/or or this/vs/that but about the many ways the people of God express their love, devotion, questions, theology, praise, or lament. This may come from 'secular' music, praise music, organ and choir, chant, taize, or anything else.

Reframing the Conversation

1) Know your congregation. The stories, the people

2) Be open to the gifts of the people in your congregation

3) Talk about the music that you are singing in healthy ways.

4) Be sensitive to those who are angry at thing that are new while still helping them know how the music or art could be important to the worship of someone else in the room

5) Listen to what the Spirit is calling. Do not change the worship style because it will attract. Be the congregation that God is calling you to be now. If there are people that desire something different then the conversation is already reframed.