MULL WITH ME..... When we all insist upon MY kind of music, others invariably are 'turned off', even to the point of animosities and church splintering. A fair BLENDED FORMAT seems best.
A blended approach includes in equal proportions the 'oldie-goldies' with their substantive expressions of truth (may the Church ever value them) along with newer styles with meaningful LYRICS , not just frothy empty and worn expressions. And there exists a growing body of such. May the Church welcome them.
It doesn't take a genius to put such an agenda together. It does take leadership that values ALL the gathering saints, refusing to cater to just one segment of a congregation. Such an approach allows ALL the saints to gather at any stated service. This makes for cohesiveness and oneness among God's people. And such is what Holy Scripture enjoins. Ephesians 4:1 - 4:6 states it clearly. The Apostle declared....
"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
In keeping with the above passage, the divisive tactic of different services for different tastes can happily be laid to rest, and hopefully, a many measured long rest. (Pun intended).
- Dick Christen
