I don't have a problem with the music itself. Christian rock, pop, alternative, rap, whatever. God bless these people and may their lyrics and music touch people and get them high on Jesus. I'd rather them be high on Jesus than high on something else and making a grave mistake.
Just to prove I'm not just saying this to sound good and accepting, I'm a fan of Sixpense None The Richer and have been since they came out years back. While they haven't produced that many albums their songs and lyrics are as good as gold as far as I'm concerned.
But back to the music in the church. See, I don't know how things are in a protestant church, but in a catholic church theres respect for the residing priest, the decon, and whomever else may be there. A priest has worked hard and studied hard for many years to get where he is. He has made a sacrifice not many can make. In fact, I'm sure you're aware of the world-wide shortage of priests and clergymen and women. Anyways, most priests are old. Thats a fact. The average priest in America is like 50-55 years of age. They were born and raised in a time where this disprespect and nonsense didn't exist in the church.
Now, alot of these priests aren't stiffs. Alot of them are really funny and crack jokes when they can. Father John for example makes it a point to tell a joke after every mass, but before we leave.
Anyways, I mention that to make it known that these priests aren't out to get anyone or have their own agenda or something. They keep with the times and accomodate however they can. They put up with alot, and thats putting it mildly.
My point is there should be a respect in the presense of a priest. For some unreverant music to be playing when he enters, as he sits, as he stands, as he TRYS to meditate over the altar and bless it and prepare the gifts, and after he leaves shows me that there no respect there for him and for God. The adult choir does a much better job of selecting appropriate music, obviously. They use proper instruments and nothing which takes attention off of the mass and on to them.
See, the music is meant to accompany worship. Thats true in all churches of all faiths and religions. The music is supposed to be calm and soothing. Its supposed to allow you to meditate and pray. You can't do that with an electric guitar or drums playing. And whats more, sometimes theres no room in the back for these churches to place these instruments and place the 'choir', so what do they do? They place them right next to the altar! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! THE ALTAR!
Anyways, another point I'm trying to make is it needs to be a choir, not a band. Unless that band can play as they should. I'd be fine with that. What I don't like is these kids calling themselves a 'choir' when they are clearly trying to be a band. I'm saying theres no place for that kind of sentiment in the church and yet these 'youth masses' are created and allowed anyway just to probably avoid any kid or parent crying that their freedom to praise God however they want is being trampled on. The only thing being trampled is the church! If these kids want to play their music, they can do it during their own time. That time is not your band's time, this isn't a concert, its a religious cermony for everyone! Not so a band can show off their skills and talent. If you want to do that, raise money and make an album. Thats how alot of today's christian musicians did it! Some of these youth bands or whatever are ok and are reverant. You can tell, you can feel it, you can see it, you experience it. Some of them play more mellow music that suits the environment. Its not designed to have a beat or to stand out. It compliments the service. These particular ones have the right idea, and they are far less of a nusance.
Whats so hard to understand about this? Its a simple request. Just like its requested that cellphones and pagers are turned off, that children are supervised at all times, that there is no talking during the mass and most of all, that you should participate instead of just sit there waiting for it to be over. How can you take anything in if your ears are plugged and you are deaf to the sermon? If you are only going out of some lame feeling of guilt or obligation nothing good can happen for you there, and its not the fault of the church for not keeping your attention and energies, its yours!
The church is a holy santuary. We need to start treating it like such again.
