Contemporary Worship

We’re looking. Finding a new church isn’t as easy as it once was. The Kansas Woman and I grew up in Baptist churches separated by half a continent. The name “Baptist” was about all Southern and American Baptist Churches had in common.

The church we attended for decades was not a Baptist church but close. It is now in waning days, a stagnant congregation.

Churches need families to grow another generation of worshipers and leadership. All the young people who grew up in that church are now leaders somewhere else.

We had been thinking along the same lines. When we needed a new church, it would be a Baptist church because we were comfortable there in the past.

I am a “PK,” a “Preacher’s Kid.” My father was a Baptist minister.

We have been visiting Baptist churches looking for a comfortable fit. We were attracted to the “blended” style of worship of contemporary and traditional music, but that church was not a good geographical fit.

Each congregation’s worship service had one thing in common — a purely contemporary style of worship. There was no blend.

Music should prepare us to be in a state of awe of God, quiet worship.

Most services started with “worship leaders” perched on stools while we stood. The service starts with congregational singing until the senior pastor delivers a sermon.

Young people are attracted to contemporary music and more informal order of worship, but senior adults are the demographic with resources and generosity. Many seniors long for the familiar.

I asked several seniors how they enjoyed a purely contemporary service. Not one preferred it. One woman didn’t want to be “a bother,” another said, “it is what it is.”

My sense is that many seniors feel pushed aside in favor of something new and shiny. They continue to financially support their church and attend faithfully.

At one church we were on our feet for 19 minutes singing one song segued into another. After that we sang for 7 more minutes just repeating the same phrase.

Many senior adults tire quickly and don’t tolerate standing for long periods of time. Some knees and hips are not original equipment.

Singing aloud requires more effort and energy than speaking aloud. It also puts demands on the respiratory system, is tiring.

Sure, senior adults could sit, maybe be invited to sit, but they also don’t want to be singled out.

Contemporary Christian music has had its critics. Some called it “holy rock and roll” and other names, but it is here to stay.

Seniors are not.

joenphillips@yahoo.com