Church Music – Hymns or Praise Songs? One Woman’s View

Does your church sing praise music or hymns? Perhaps, like ours, it does a bit of both, but it is heavy on the hymns. We chose this church not only for its solid Biblical preaching, excellent Sunday school teaching, but also because they don’t leave out those of us who prefer hymns to praise music.

Hubby and I are of the generation that only sang hymns in church. He was reared Baptist, I Methodist. After our marriage, we joined the Presbyterian church where we both sang in the choir. Neither of us was familiar with many of the Presbyterian hymns. We had fun learning them. My favorite was Whate’er My God Ordains is Right.

This wasn’t just any ordinary church choir. It was a coveted choir in which to sing in Birmingham, Alabama. There was room for only forty-five seats, each one filled with someone who had auditioned and passed a rigorous test. Some people were paid to sing, most were not.  This was common at the time. It helped college students like me, who devoted a lot of time to church music. I’m thankful.

 

WHERE WE WORSHIP NOW

The church in which we have our membership now has an all-volunteer choir and an orchestra. They are very good and add a lot to our worship experience. For the first time in our almost fifty-three-year marriage, we aren’t in the choir, but we’re enjoying getting to sit beside one another in worship.

Like us, our music director is from Alabama. So is our pastor. How in the world did we all wind up in the same town in western North Carolina, at the same time, and in the same church? All I can say is it is a God-incidence. For whatever reason, God chose this time, in this place to have us all meet one another. I consider that a blessing.

Church Music - Hymns or Praise Songs - One Woman's View #music #faith #ChurchMusic Share on X

AN OBSERVATION

I’ve observed over the years all denominations, and non-denominational churches, have their own worship style and music of choice. For me, I couldn’t attend a church that only does praise music. But that is just me. I’m not knocking it, I’m only saying I love my hymns, and I would miss them greatly. Thankful hearts that our church does a combo.

This post came about as I thought about all the churches of which I’ve been a member or have sung in during my lifetime. Here are some churches or places I have sung: Christmas Eve services in Catholic churches as well as many Protestant churches; extremely small choirs at revivals in the tiny Methodist church in which my mother grew up; morning mass in The Cathedral de Notre Dame in Paris;  St. Giles Cathedral and Paisely Abbey in Scotland; a youth gathering at Blue Lake Methodist Church camp when I was a teen (yes, it’s the home of the Blue Lake Christian Writing Conference in Andalusia, Alabama); funerals and weddings in all manner of settings.

THEIR COMMON BOND

One thing all of these churches or places have in common is the presence of Jesus Christ. I am content as long as the lyrics point to Jesus and not the glorification of man no matter what kind of music is sung.

What music does your church have? What is your preference?  I would love to hear your comments. Sing your heart out wherever you are and however you worship. Soli Deo Gloria.

Blessings, y’all!

This is one of my all-time favorite hymns! I learned all the words when I was just a child. I’m sure I had no idea what they all meant, but I loved the tune. Thank you, Martin Luther! We recently attended the funeral for one of the members of my husband’s Bible Study group. He was Lutheran and we sang this glorious hymn.