To the editor,
Part 1 Recap: I've been visiting many area churches in the Tri-State Area. "Karaoke churches" are those taking contemporary music to the extreme and making congregational participation difficult. An organ purchased new was given away. This made way for "karaoke". Members are upset. Giving an organ away that members voted on and purchased is unacceptable. In conclusion:
"Entertainers" (song leaders), please, at least sit down more with the congregation and glorify Jesus from the pew. I experienced a lengthy "concert", then more of the same after the sermon of one of these karaoke churches. One person told me that they like the minister's messages, but arrive late to avoid the music at the beginning. Members are afraid to complain, so it's tolerated. I pray and read my bible while the entertainers are performing. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't keep the spiritual connection that I need.
How is this affecting the congregation? Perhaps they mean well, but if song leaders stumble along and are out of sync at times themselves, what makes them think that this is singable music for the average worshiper? What's the point if we're unable to participate?
Did this situation get out of hand or does leadership want a lengthy, amateur concert every week? Special music (one song) and cantatas are nice occasionally, but are welcomed in small doses. Karaoke is special music. What happened to 4-part choir? The leadership needs to address this or they may end up with 16 people on Sunday like one karaoke church that I visited. Another karaoke church had over 80 in attendance regularly. Now the report is 42!
We are losing something vital by not singing the traditional sacred hymns of faith. The kids, who are not being taught them, instead are being overwhelmed by choruses and "feel-good" songs. Eventually, these beautiful, bible-based sacred hymns will be forgotten. Etched into memories will be this disjointed and choppy new contemporary music that resembles modern secular music. The lyrics are okay, but most of the time the music feels like a sacrilege and is very difficult to sing — if we are welcomed to sing. It's wrong to make worship a show!There should be a clear distinction between God's music and the world's!
We are commanded to worship God through singing — Colossians 3: 16, Ephesians 5: 19. Singing scripture-based sacred hymns is one of the elements of worship that connects us to God. Leaders, please pray and listen to the Holy Spirit. Please bring back sacred hymns and the organ.
I appreciate those churches preserving the organ, sacred hymns and hymnals in the pews. It's worked for countless generations.
Not everyone sings, but Christians who do should not be forgotten. Make no mistake, the majority of Christians want traditional sacred hymns of faith and using hymnals that can be adjusted to their length of focus. It's spirit-filled, flowing music that everyone can easily sing, sing harmony if desired, and feel a part! Blessings to all this Easter season!
Mark Dougherty
Wintersville