I want to thank James Shull (“Your Views,” June 24) for suggesting reading “Why I Left Christian Contemporary Music,” by Dan Lucarini. After reading this book, I (who would be considered traditional) had to take a long look at my own praise and worship and repent.
Most of us traditionalists don’t mind new music (if it is biblically sound) or a change in routine as long as it honors God and his Son. But, unfortunately, many are intimidated into a “style” change by people who may honestly think they are doing God’s work and his way. We need to remember that pushing a style of music or worship may injure a brother or sister or become a stumbling block to a weaker Christian. The world is watching how we treat each other and how we present ourselves.
It has often bothered me how a church will choose a path that is often injurious and divisive to fill its pews. Style does matter. Teaching that “anything goes so long as they come” has severely distressed the church and its mission. I have a diverse musical background. While this training doesn’t make me a great authority, I know, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the difference between inspired music and commercial music used to produce “good feelings.” We owe a great debt to the pastors, music directors and respected leaders of the past who guarded our eyes, ears and hearts by electing to pray and be leaders through the Holy Spirit, teaching us to worship and praise “in spirit and truth.”
John 15:12 states it best: “This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you” – even if we have to give up our ideas for the sake of unity. The concept of sacrificial giving may include giving up what is popular and should send us to our knees seeking God’s will and his way.
I hope we will really return to “the heart of worship” and focus on Jesus, the only audience, and remember who it is we praise – and start presenting the light of the world to the world.
Change the culture – don’t allow the politically correct culture to change us.
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