What to do when your pastor had horrible taste in music?

Fellow church musicians, what can you do if your pastor has horrible taste in music? My pastor really likes these very "dated" hymns that are simplistic and banal. Now, I'm not dissing old hymns here -- I LOVE the old masters and use them regularly in ministry (Luther, Wesleyes, Isaac Watts, etc.) -- but my pastor loves the old gospel/baptist type hymns that, to me, are boring, not theologically deep, and musically uninteresting. It's not like he doesn't like the hymns I pick, but he doesn't gravitate to those and would rather sing these others.

God any suggestions on how to handle this?

Articles in professional journals and workshops used to cover this problem all the time. But you know, i can't seem to remember any one of the solutions. I have lived quite nicely with "I don't tell you what to preach, so...."

Reruns of of the police show Adam12 returned about 6 weeks ago. in one memorable episode, the two officers needed to break up a fist fight on the church grass between the organist and the choir director. "Your choir may sing whatever you want, but the organ will be playing 'Onward, Christian Soldiers'". Officer Malloy's suggestion of "A Mighty Fortress" was ignored by both.

Many will have suggestions. Experience says there are no good ones.

Well, I'd vote for "A Mighty Fortress" but I can see why Officer Malloy's suggestion was ignored!

Thanks so much for adding humor to this conundrum! There probably isn't a good solution. Fortunately, the pastor only chooses the hymn after his message, so his damage is limited. However, I still have to PLAY it!

You realize he is choosing text, not music, I'm sure. Have you thought of cross-referencing through the metrical index, to find a more musical tune to sing the text to? It's not terribly practical on many of the old gospel tunes, like "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot", but it might help enough to make a difference at least once in a while.

Actually, in some respects, I think he is choosing text and music -- he remembers the "old hymns" from his childhood. I think he sees a text he likes, then remembers the tune, so I'm sure he'll want them both. But, you know, since he CAN'T read music, I might be able to get a way with it and say, innocently, "Oh, I'm sorry, that's the tune that's in the hymnal for that hymn!" But that would be lying, wouldn't it?!

The hymn he chose last week is irregular, so I couldn't change it out if I wanted to... *sigh*

Ever thought of introducing him to some of the newer praise an worrship music its very up lifting an great for youth.

If the pastor pleases himself, he is not being a servant. Perhaps he thinks he is pleasing the congregation. Have you discussed it with him? Many denominations have a worship/music committee to determine such issues. you do not need to lie to change the hymn, just let him know that is what you want to do, and tell him why.

allaboutlove, I choose the music for the rest of the service, and we do a blended service. He actually likes the newer hymns that I introduce to the congregation (really LOVES "Speak, O Lord"), so he KNOWS those pieces, but he gravitates to the old hymns -- it's his default.

ken, I truly think he thinks he is pleasing the congregation -- and I'm sure there are people in the congregation who actually like these pieces. No, I haven't spoken directly about this -- part of the reason for this thread -- how to broach the subject.

But another issue is this: the pastor keeps talking about wanting the church to grow spiritually, but he chooses these vapid hymns. IMHO, if you want the church to grow, you need to do it on all fronts, including music/worship.

IDK, I'm really starting to think of leaving. I just don't know if the church wants to be challenged and grow. And if they don't want to grow, I don't really want to be banging my head against the wall.

"vapid" "banal" "simplistic" "dated .... " "but i'm not dissing" Would you feel dissed if someone used those terms about you? Your family? Anything you cared about?

So.. you've considered being deceptive. You haven't even tried to discuss the issue with him. You're assuming that the church doesn't want to grow, essentially deciding for them. And from these two reasons you're considering quitting?
All i've seen in this post is grumbling, rather than communication. And assumptions of what other people think and feel. I know this isn't what you came here to hear, but it doesn't make the points any less valid. Perhaps it's time to do a little inward growth before expecting growth outside of you.

If you disagree, fine. This isn't an insult, but an observation. Its not something i'm going to debate. If you feel these observations aren't accurate, then just ignore this.

These are the three important considerations. In Lutheran and Methodist especially, the music minister is almost co-equal with the pastor. Broach the subject by pointing out that in many ways a service is a joint ministry, not only you and him but every congregational member, is there to minister to the Lord by what and how they sing, by voicing the prayers, by choosing to listen and consider the thoughts in his sermon, etc. You, as music leader are selected (at least passively, even if you are not paid) by the congregation, and God will work through you as well. Suggest that some sort of collaborative effort be mounted, maybe establish a worship committee that can pray about and discuss such issues, that you can both be a part of.

The simple fact is that you are capable of playing the organ, precisely because God has gifted you with a heightened musical perception. You choose to do it for worship because that perception you are gifted with, applies easily to the spiritual dimension of music. Your pastor is more likely gifted with an equivalent perception of the effects of the spoken word and/or administrative offices or counselling; that's part of how God led him to his calling. He can no more hear what you hear in the music, than you can hear what he hears in the power of the spoken sermon.

Some organists, like some pastors, spend a lifetime in one church. Others spend 5 years here and 5 years there. Both plans have long been recognized as different types of callings, both are needed in the Body. It's time to find out which one is yours. Take the risk, tell the pastor how you feel. Then, in not too many weeks, you and your congregation will all know whether it's time to leave or if you should stay. (Warning, expect to spend some time in tears after it's over. But, then look what Jesus went through to follow His calling.)

Ugly -- first of all, I never seriously considered deception! That was a joke, and unfortunately, humor doesn't always translate over these threads. I would NEVER deceive the pastor in any of this. Secondly, I'm not calling all old hymns vapid, banal, simplistic and dated -- only a certain genre of hymns. Thirdly, it seems clear my church doesn't want to grow because I've been there two years now, and I see how most folks do not want to commit to serious study of the Bible (there are only 5 people who regularly attend the adult Sunday School hour!). The pastor and I have been united in trying to push them and challenge them spiritually with the ultimate goal of a real spiritual fire being born there. Finally, I do need to talk to him about this -- you are right in that. But it's tough to broach the subject.

Ken -- thanks for your thoughtful reply. Our church is SO small, I just don't know if a committee is workable. You are completely correct that I may not pick up on the subtleties of the pastor's sermon just as he doesn't pick up on the subtleties of the music/worship. That is a perspective that I need to maintain -- he is simply not the learned musician I am (as I am not the learned theologian he is)!

I simply need to suck it up and talk to him. Or I need to suck it up and simply let him continue to choose the final hymn of the service. Either way, I need to continue to pray about this and ask for Divine Guidance! Thanks for all the help here!

It sounds like the OP goes to a small church. This is one of the reasons I like larger churches - churches that have at least several people on staff. Multiple leaders bring about balance and, I believe, a deeper experience for the members/attendees overall.

You know, with a really small church (say 20), why not try letting them pick the hymns and contemporary selections sometimes? Everyone might learn something about what people want. Sort of midway between a service and a hymn sing, at least for the opening or final hymn maybe.

I do substitute organ at a church of about 50. Last year, they put together a favorite hymns book, which the pastor conceded to use over the summer. That's in intermeditate church idea.

Actually, I did just that last month! We had a hymn sing, and all the selections were from the congregation!