It seems just a few years ago that Southern Baptist churches worshiped basically the same way. Now we have not only traditional services (“traditional” referring to how far back in history one wants to go) but also contemporary services. This mixture is a good thing; it takes variety to reach as many people as possible.
But there are biblical guidelines on how worship should be carried out. Ephesians 5:19 has the template instruction for worship in New Testament-based churches: “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
Few churches sing the psalms anymore, but some do, such as the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, which owns Erskine College and Seminary, where many South Carolina Baptists have been educated and prepared for the ministry. The psalms should at least be read in worship.
Hymns are not as popular with younger generations, but they need to be used because they teach doctrine and how to live the Christian life, and they are uplifting.
Spiritual songs would include everything from Southern gospel to praise music to anthems to the old negro spirituals. Almost any kind of Christian music is allowed in the prescription for New Testament worship services. Anything from rock to pop to country to heavy metal is used in some churches alongside the recommended music from Ephesians.
I suppose there is nothing wrong with churches sometimes using secular music to add an element of fun to the services. But there is no hint of justification from the Bible for using secular music in churches. It is a modern invention, and churches should carefully consider how they are going to follow the Bible in their worship if they want to be considered a biblically based church.
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