Why don't teens like "traditional" worship?

14 Comments

1. Angie wrote on March 10, 2008 at 7:56 PM:

   My views, as a college student are varied. Before college, I had no idea that you could use contemporary Christian songs to worship God as we didn't use them in our worship...except for something minor that you might use a drum in...and that was a big stretch for the choir to do that. :) However, when I started my third year in college at UW-Whitewater, my eyes were opened up to using contemporary Christian music in the form of worshipping God.
   For worship in general, I wasn't brought up thinking that I could clap or raise our hands to God or kneel before him in prayer or really express myself before God. It was only this last week that I first prayed to God on bended knee...this was a big step for me in the area of submission, which I think is a big deal for a lot of people. Another thing I wanted to mention was the concept of dancing in the worship of God. If you read the story about David in 2 Samuel 6, David danced before the Lord as praise for him. In fact, it is mentioned several times in the bible that we should dance before the Lord. Now, I realize this style of worship probably won't be adopted into the Lutheran church. Even I have a hard time thinking about if I could do that. It just doesn't feel comfortable to me. However, just because you dance and get naked before the Lord to worship him for all the awesomeness that he is doesn't make you any less of a child of God. I think God likes it when people are excited about him. But, that's just worship in general...about the songs...
   I agree with many that some contemporary music lyrics aren't appropriate for our Lutheran beliefs. However, there are some songs that God has brought to me that make me cry because they just emote that response in me. For example, one of them is "From the Inside Out" by Hillsong. I also love listening to Casting Crowns, MercyMe, and many other Christian artists. However, I do believe that God has lead me to appreciate my church's traditional hymns also. For example, I love the hymn, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand". I also love many other hymns in our hymnal.
   I think a healthy balance is good for most people. I like the emotional response I get from contemporary as well as traditional songs and worship.
   After all, aren't our lives supposed to be a worship to God? I don't know about other people, but I live my life in the present contemporary world. Why worry about Sunday worship in God's house when there are 6 other days out of the week we spend worshipping God with our thoughts, words, and deeds. God belongs everywhere, not boxed up in church. The gospel is supposed to reach the ends of the Earth.

2. kn wrote on February 17, 2008 at 3:11 PM:

   I like Lutheran (=traditional or liturgical) worship. So-called "contemporary worship" is an anti-lutheran, neo-evangelical thing.

   It is sad to see that the WELS seems to be more and more watered-down (though it is not as watered-down as LCMS or ELCA).

   Lutherans has tp look for other churches if they want a clear Lutheran message.

3. Hester wrote on February 13, 2008 at 9:18 AM:

   James: Be patient with the oldsters. Respectfully keep advocating for worship changes that will create win, win and best advance your congregation's mission with its members and in your community. It is awesome that you are in worship! In your daily, personal worship, include prayers for your congregation and its worship issues. Also pray that everyone be given an open mind and loving spirit to disuss these kinds of things.

4. James Spence wrote on February 13, 2008 at 7:42 AM:

   I say this...Let's ask God what he thinks. Every kid in my high school would rather listen to something new and go to a church that does not involve fighting. I like blended worship, but I don't like ging to a church where an elder barks up my back about what I listen to...I mean I'm there right? Worshipping God right? I am Saved and I believe that If you want to you can get a person in church in newer ways than just one way, to change worship around just a little. I promise more teens would walk throught hose doors o Sunday Morning Service. But hey old folks, don't want to say anything that would discourage you...you might get mad at me!

5. jenny wrote on February 5, 2008 at 1:31 PM:

   i don't think it is boring..well maybe that is just me but anyway it shouldn't matter what kind of worship..traditional or not as long as i get the chance to that is what counts

6. Emily Berkevich wrote on December 31, 2007 at 10:29 AM:

   I agree that traditional worship gets boring but what i do when i find that i can't stand the monotone i pray to God asking him to help me either concentrate or gain something out of the sermon. This last week it was really cool because my pastor preached on redemption. It was refreshing in that in made me relize that God sent Jesus to save me and buy me back from the devil. Who cares how we find that out? If it is either contemporary or traditional we still get the same message.

7. Stephen wrote on November 14, 2007 at 7:40 PM:

   I agree Rex.

8. RexG wrote on November 13, 2007 at 10:33 AM:

   According to Philip Graham Ryken in "City on a Hill" (Moody Publishers, 2003) there are more than 2 billion people in the world under the age of 15. What a vast mission field that could potentially be reached if we'd rethink our worship styles a bit.

9. Stephen wrote on November 12, 2007 at 5:25 PM:

   I think it's important to remember that the world is changing around the wels and we need to catch-up... How? however we can. when? as soon as we can. The wels is getting older but our "field" missions are getting younger. I have seen the age difference here in Florida and it's because we have reached a younger demographic... I'm not saying i hate the hymnals but how long can we keep singing durges? If you want any information on how to bring a more contemporary rythm to your church, feel free to email me at finn1016@lycos.com...

10. Stepfanie wrote on October 14, 2007 at 9:51 PM:

    There is nothing wrong with traditional worship. I have been to so many different churches because of beingin involved in a traveling band and choir--I think that perhaps ther are other things that we need to think about at church than the form of service.

    Most churches are traditional because most of the people at the churches are older. Let's just face it, they can't please everybody. Everyone will always have their own personal opinion, and that's perfectly fine. HOWEVER, might I remind you that churches aren't really necessarily something you go shoppping for.

    We go to church to hear God's Word and we don't go according to how it is presented. Granted, some sermons are easier to follow than others, but then I believe that it is our turn to dig deep inside ourselves, and really take those words to heart. And as for the music, it's the words not the melodies. don't get me wrong, I love singing, but when you get goosebumps, it's because the words are touching you, not the melody is so beautiful. But sometimes the two can coincide.

    Obviously there's nothing wrong with either form of worship and both should be readily accepted among the churches. However, I just find it amazing that people think of this topic so often. To me, I believe we should switch it up every so often because we can, not because we have to. I like new music, and instruments, and tradition. However, I cannot and will probably never understand why everyone thinks we NEED more modern music. It's the same words and as long as their His Word, then I don't care how it's presented.

11. Sweetness wrote on October 10, 2007 at 4:07 PM:

    I found the results from the 2007 Survey of WELS Teens(www.wels.net/youthdiscipleship). It said that 72% of the 430 respondents preferred public/group worship that was described in these two ways: a) creative worship using the hymnal along with a variety of other resources, led often by an organ but also regularly involving other instruments-51%, and b) contemporary worship, informal, with nothing from the hymnal, with praise choruses and a praise band of various instruments-21%. Only 12% preferred historic worship using only the orders of service and hymns from the hymnal, led by an organ. 16% were unsure. That's pretty compelling.

12. Jeremy wrote on October 5, 2007 at 8:50 AM:

    I like a mix of traditional and contemporary. I couldn't take a steady diet of contemporary worship (I've been to Crosswalk...it was a nice change of pace, but definitely not what I would want every Sunday). It's important to remember that worship is something WE give to God, and since we're SINFUL, we'll NEVER do it perfectly (or be completely right) when we plan and execute it. Thankfully, God's grace covers our inadequacies, and Jesus' blood makes our worship acceptable to the Father, even when we don't get it "right."

    Here's another thought...it's basic human reasoning that when presented with two options (traditional vs. contemporary), if one is right, the other must be wrong. Could it be that both styles are right, when planned around the Word of God and done with the proper motivation? You won't find the words "traditional" and "contemporary" in the pages of Scripture. If you like/prefer traditional, does that mean contemporary is wrong? And vice versa? Can both be done to the glory of God for the benefit of His people? Is there a happy medium? Does it have less to do with the what and more to do with the why (motivation behind the way we worship more important than the way of worship itself)?

    Thanks for the great discussion so far...keep wrestling with this one!

13. Lana Dittbenner wrote on October 3, 2007 at 4:55 PM:

    I really like traditional worship. My pastor makes worship fun. Maybe Eric's church needs a new pastor with some fresh ideas. To me traditional worship helps me concentrate on what is being preached. I don't mind have comtemporary hymns but I still like the hymns in the red hymnal. In fact I have two hymnals. I also like the old version of the Lord's Prayer.

    In my church we use the hymns from the hymnal and the liturgy that I think the pastors wrote, maybe they have gotten permission from somewhere.

    I really don't like contemporary worship because it distracts me from worshipping the way I was brought up to worship.

14. Eric Berge wrote on October 3, 2007 at 11:24 AM:

    Isn't that the truth for most teens though? It seems, for we teens at least, that worship in a traditional church is boring. Theres almost always constant motion what with constantly standing and sitting, the songs we sing are all boring slow songs that have no life to them, and I've got the dryest pastor ever! That may be how it seems to you, but what is all this stuff really about? Think about it, even if you may have a dry pastor, he still is proclaiming God's word in his sermons. The hymns have got the best themes ever, God's love for us.

    But if you think that this is still way to boring, talk to your pastor/ youth group leader about getting a worship band together and play for church sometimes, or doing concerts for church events. The church I previously attended had a band like this, and it was amazing. I currently am in the Worship band at Crosswalk Church, a contemporary WELS church, and it is amazing, knowing that I am spreading the gospel to many people that are just learning about Christ and many older Christians that have known God for their entire lives!

    Think about why you worship how you do, and remember that worship is just the way that we go about praising God. If you have questions about why your church worships how they do, ask your pastor or an Elder. Let them explain to you why they do what they do, and maybe even talk to them about getting a praise band. Its a good outreach tool on top of being a way to have fun praising God.