I feel like worship music is becoming more self-focused. Does anyone feel the same way? Like it's becoming less about God and more about us as Christians?
Is this just me being too critical?
Is this just me being too critical?
Is it me?
- Thread starter JFSurvivor
- Start date
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So you see it too? I'm not crazy!??
No, I think you are on to something.
There isn't just a narcissistic focus in the individual sense, but also in the corporate sense. In many churches I have visited in the last few years (many, but not all), the worship minister or worship band holds a sort of starring role that they were never meant to have.
Not enough emphasis is placed on how worship exists in the context of the whole of the service and the whole of life. Instead it is a show before and after a sermon.
yeah and the lyrics...ugh....they just aren't Jesus-centered. It went from "God is great" to "I am great because God is great" see the subtle difference? While both true, they emphasize different people. I dunno if that's a good example or not.
I've noticed this too... 
First song that comes to my mind with several biblical errancies in this regard:
FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI LYRICS - This Is The Stuff
I'll admit I like some of the new musical styles that CCM is coming up with, but the lyrics are getting more and more degrading if you're only listening to K-Love's latest list. Not many people like Shai Linne or Trevor Baker get to make it to Christian Radio.
First song that comes to my mind with several biblical errancies in this regard:
FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI LYRICS - This Is The Stuff
I'll admit I like some of the new musical styles that CCM is coming up with, but the lyrics are getting more and more degrading if you're only listening to K-Love's latest list. Not many people like Shai Linne or Trevor Baker get to make it to Christian Radio.
Actually, you kinda make me think of something else I have been thinking about. I was thinking, couldnt Christian music be both about praising God, but also write about things like the struggles that we go through everyday? Too much Christian music I hear is praise alone. And Im not so against that, but it could really be thought provoking if they could sing about issues we face in this life in a faithful way. What do you guys think?
I think music can be praise God and talk about our daily struggles, yeah. However, for it to be praise music God has to be the MAIN focus.
I don't always listen to praise music because sometimes when I'm going through a difficult time it can make me feel almost worse (that is why I listen to metal) but I also think that praise music, TRUE praise music, should be able to comfort us by glorifying God. I think that's why I don't like to listen to most modern worship music. Does that make sense?
I can definitely understand the problem with a praise band singing about themselves, we are told not to boast on our own power but of Gods.
You kinda got me thinking though. Talking about praise music, and music that could be Christian based but not for praising God but talking about life. That kinda makes a big difference between praise music and Christian based music. Do you believe that musicians that are Christians and talk about it at times but also sing about other things in life could still be considered Christian?
I actually kinda think of song in particular, that song by Flyleaf about the girl who was asked if she believed in God and was shot for saying yes. That doesnt really praise God, but it does include Christian issues. So does that mean there is a difference between worship music and Christian music?
You kinda got me thinking though. Talking about praise music, and music that could be Christian based but not for praising God but talking about life. That kinda makes a big difference between praise music and Christian based music. Do you believe that musicians that are Christians and talk about it at times but also sing about other things in life could still be considered Christian?
I actually kinda think of song in particular, that song by Flyleaf about the girl who was asked if she believed in God and was shot for saying yes. That doesnt really praise God, but it does include Christian issues. So does that mean there is a difference between worship music and Christian music?
Well flyleaf isn't worship to begin with.....anyways the song ur thinking about is called "cassie" and it's about the columbine shooting.
So I would say, yes there is "Christian music" and then there is "worship music".
One song I HATE is Fanchesca Batestlies song "I don't need my name in lights".
So I would say, yes there is "Christian music" and then there is "worship music".
One song I HATE is Fanchesca Batestlies song "I don't need my name in lights".
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Siberian_Khatru
Guest
Hmm, that's an interesting way to put it. I'll have to dig around, scrutinize the music scene a bit before adding anything here.
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sigh33n
Guest
Although I see what you mean OP, in the end I think Willie-T hit the nail on the head. If you look for it, you'll find it. 2014 alone had great releases from bands like King's Kaleidoscope and Liz Vice whose albums declared the glory of God and praised him to the fullest. Just keep looking, I promise you there is much more to be uncovered!
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andypro
Guest
No, I don't think you're being too critical, that's been my experience as well.
What's happened over the last few decades is that we've eliminated the middle man. It goes something like this:
We enter worship with the proper heart to honor and to submit to God, to lay ourselves bare, to bring our burdens, to confess our sins, etc.
Then, when we do that, we find that afterwards we experience sort of a release from our burdens, and exhilaration, and even joy.
Because of our experience, the next time we come into worship, we go seeking the joy and happiness that we got from our previous worship experience, instead of going to seek and submit to God.
The modern worship of today is marketed to the needs of the happiness seekers, at the expense of the God seekers.
(all of which makes me a big hypocrite since I blog about the best worship songs).
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andypro
Guest
Back when I was a youth pastor, worship was a big deal, and the kids were into it. Whenever I thought we needed to slow down and reflect on what worship really is, I'd break out this song. KILLER lyrics, and pretty too:[video=youtube;p6MvZLDBFpU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6MvZLDBFpU[/video]