Funny but not so funny parody of modern worship. It gave me flashbacks.

[AThornquist]

I know who the video was made by. I also know that there often comes a "new, better way" every so often in the church, whether it be The Prayer of Jabez or The Purpose Driven Life, so the fact that a contemporary church is making fun of itself is of no importance to me. Those who I have seen comment on the video have largely NOT been accepting of contemporary worship. The problem is that this video becomes the stereotype for contemporary worship but it is not representative of much of what is being done today.

You say you enjoy how accurate it is...how often do you attend contemporary worship services? How many different church services of that kind have you attended? So when you say it's accurate, accurate of what?

See, you folks laugh and mock, but what specifically are you mocking? You are painting with broad strokes.

I grew up with contemporary worship services and was a part of them until just a few years ago. You asked what it is accurate of, and so I will answer by saying that it is accurate of the standard church that seeks to be "relevant" and "contemporary," which are the very words used in the video. That isn't to say that every detail is accurate of each and every church that seeks to be relevant and contemporary, but this is in many ways a compilation of what happens, whether its the types of songs used, the types of transitions, the types of speakers, etc. I have seen at least a few of these things in many so-called relevant and contemporary churches, and thus I say it is accurate.

Also, in what way does saying, "you folks laugh and mock" promote unity? Aren't you against divisiveness? Fires of controversy are often kept aflame by unnoticed (eye) logs.

 

[jayce475]

I despise this video. I despise how those who are against contemporary worship get such a kick out of it, how they laugh and ridicule. How easy it would be to make a parody of a traditional worship service and mock elements and stereotypes that exist in some churches. Yet I don't see that done. What I see is the continuation of the worship wars. I see hate and divisiveness.

This video was made by a church with contemporary worship and was making a caricature of itself. So, do I sit back and soberly say, "I won't laugh at you because I don't want to agree with the hate for yourself"? It was in fun, and I personally enjoy how accurate it is. And further, contrary to many others here, I think acceptable worship music includes Psalms, old hymns, new contemporary songs, whatever. If the lyrics are biblically sound and the songs are sang/performed for the glory of God in the Holy Spirit, I'm all for it. Of course, I don't think the majority of modern/contemporary worship qualifies in that . . .

I know who the video was made by. I also know that there often comes a "new, better way" every so often in the church, whether it be The Prayer of Jabez or The Purpose Driven Life, so the fact that a contemporary church is making fun of itself is of no importance to me. Those who I have seen comment on the video have largely NOT been accepting of contemporary worship. The problem is that this video becomes the stereotype for contemporary worship but it is not representative of much of what is being done today.

You say you enjoy how accurate it is...how often do you attend contemporary worship services? How many different church services of that kind have you attended? So when you say it's accurate, accurate of what?

See, you folks laugh and mock, but what specifically are you mocking? You are painting with broad strokes.

Would the "world renowned" Hillsongs qualify? I've attended many of their services for reference and yes they do actually look like this. Exactly like this in fact. Yes the contemporary worship taking place Reformed churches may look rather different, which is good. That however doesn't make contemporary worship necessarily right in itself. If you wish to discuss contemporary worship properly, I am sure many here will be willing to engage, and many do take different positions, but you coming out and saying that you despise others is hardly charitable or helpful.

 

[louis]

My saying "You folks laugh and mock" was a clear statement of fact. Do you dispute that?

Whatever, I'll move on...you guys have fun embracing the RPW.

 

[Augusta]

Louis, did you read the whole thread? I wonder because all through this thread are people commenting who either sat under this type of worship for many years or participated in it. We recognize what we see which is why it resonated and struck us as funny. It's accuracy is why it is funny albiet also very sad as I said in the OP. I cannot count how many worship services I sat through that looked just like that. We mock what the video mocked, the formulaic concert atmosphere that is 100% will worship and has no place in any so-called "church" purporting to be worship of the true and living God. This kind of thing wouldn't have lasted 3 seconds in Moses day.

 

[Notthemama1984]

Whatever, I'll move on...you guys have fun embracing the RPW.

The RPW is confessional. To disregard it is to be unconfessional.

 

[louis]

I despise this video. I despise how those who are against contemporary worship get such a kick out of it, how they laugh and ridicule. How easy it would be to make a parody of a traditional worship service and mock elements and stereotypes that exist in some churches. Yet I don't see that done. What I see is the continuation of the worship wars. I see hate and divisiveness.

This video was made by a church with contemporary worship and was making a caricature of itself. So, do I sit back and soberly say, "I won't laugh at you because I don't want to agree with the hate for yourself"? It was in fun, and I personally enjoy how accurate it is. And further, contrary to many others here, I think acceptable worship music includes Psalms, old hymns, new contemporary songs, whatever. If the lyrics are biblically sound and the songs are sang/performed for the glory of God in the Holy Spirit, I'm all for it. Of course, I don't think the majority of modern/contemporary worship qualifies in that . . .

I know who the video was made by. I also know that there often comes a "new, better way" every so often in the church, whether it be The Prayer of Jabez or The Purpose Driven Life, so the fact that a contemporary church is making fun of itself is of no importance to me. Those who I have seen comment on the video have largely NOT been accepting of contemporary worship. The problem is that this video becomes the stereotype for contemporary worship but it is not representative of much of what is being done today.

You say you enjoy how accurate it is...how often do you attend contemporary worship services? How many different church services of that kind have you attended? So when you say it's accurate, accurate of what?

See, you folks laugh and mock, but what specifically are you mocking? You are painting with broad strokes.

Would the "world renowned" Hillsongs qualify? I've attended many of their services for reference and yes they do actually look like this. Exactly like this in fact. Yes the contemporary worship taking place Reformed churches may look rather different, which is good. That however doesn't make contemporary worship necessarily right in itself. If you wish to discuss contemporary worship properly, I am sure many here will be willing to engage, and many do take different positions, but you coming out and saying that you despise others is hardly charitable or helpful.

Please show me where I said I despise anyone.

 

[jayce475]

I despise this video. I despise how those who are against contemporary worship get such a kick out of it, how they laugh and ridicule. How easy it would be to make a parody of a traditional worship service and mock elements and stereotypes that exist in some churches. Yet I don't see that done. What I see is the continuation of the worship wars. I see hate and divisiveness.

Here. And read it in conjunction with Traci's post.

---------- Post added at 12:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:46 PM ----------

I despise this video. I despise how those who are against contemporary worship get such a kick out of it, how they laugh and ridicule. How easy it would be to make a parody of a traditional worship service and mock elements and stereotypes that exist in some churches. Yet I don't see that done. What I see is the continuation of the worship wars. I see hate and divisiveness.

This video was made by a church with contemporary worship and was making a caricature of itself. So, do I sit back and soberly say, "I won't laugh at you because I don't want to agree with the hate for yourself"? It was in fun, and I personally enjoy how accurate it is. And further, contrary to many others here, I think acceptable worship music includes Psalms, old hymns, new contemporary songs, whatever. If the lyrics are biblically sound and the songs are sang/performed for the glory of God in the Holy Spirit, I'm all for it. Of course, I don't think the majority of modern/contemporary worship qualifies in that . . .

I know who the video was made by. I also know that there often comes a "new, better way" every so often in the church, whether it be The Prayer of Jabez or The Purpose Driven Life, so the fact that a contemporary church is making fun of itself is of no importance to me. Those who I have seen comment on the video have largely NOT been accepting of contemporary worship. The problem is that this video becomes the stereotype for contemporary worship but it is not representative of much of what is being done today.

You say you enjoy how accurate it is...how often do you attend contemporary worship services? How many different church services of that kind have you attended? So when you say it's accurate, accurate of what?

See, you folks laugh and mock, but what specifically are you mocking? You are painting with broad strokes.

And here. You are specifically referring to the participants of this thread as those who laugh and mock.

 

[louis]

Louis, did you read the whole thread? I wonder because all through this thread are people commenting who either sat under this type of worship for many years or participated in it. We recognize what we see which is why it resonated and struck us as funny. It's accuracy is why it is funny albiet also very sad as I said in the OP. I cannot count how many worship services I sat through that looked just like that. We mock what the video mocked, the formulaic concert atmosphere that is 100% will worship and has no place in any so-called "church" purporting to be worship of the true and living God. This kind of thing wouldn't have lasted 3 seconds in Moses day.

I did read the whole thread. Why would you sit through so many worship services that were that way?

Also, formulaic is a word that is used as a pejorative against contemporary worship, but traditional worship can also be formulaic, can it not? Following a formula is not a bad thing, particularly if the formula is a good one, a biblical one.

---------- Post added at 10:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 PM ----------

I despise this video. I despise how those who are against contemporary worship get such a kick out of it, how they laugh and ridicule. How easy it would be to make a parody of a traditional worship service and mock elements and stereotypes that exist in some churches. Yet I don't see that done. What I see is the continuation of the worship wars. I see hate and divisiveness.

Here. And read it in conjunction with Traci's post.

---------- Post added at 12:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:46 PM ----------

I despise this video. I despise how those who are against contemporary worship get such a kick out of it, how they laugh and ridicule. How easy it would be to make a parody of a traditional worship service and mock elements and stereotypes that exist in some churches. Yet I don't see that done. What I see is the continuation of the worship wars. I see hate and divisiveness.

This video was made by a church with contemporary worship and was making a caricature of itself. So, do I sit back and soberly say, "I won't laugh at you because I don't want to agree with the hate for yourself"? It was in fun, and I personally enjoy how accurate it is. And further, contrary to many others here, I think acceptable worship music includes Psalms, old hymns, new contemporary songs, whatever. If the lyrics are biblically sound and the songs are sang/performed for the glory of God in the Holy Spirit, I'm all for it. Of course, I don't think the majority of modern/contemporary worship qualifies in that . . .

I know who the video was made by. I also know that there often comes a "new, better way" every so often in the church, whether it be The Prayer of Jabez or The Purpose Driven Life, so the fact that a contemporary church is making fun of itself is of no importance to me. Those who I have seen comment on the video have largely NOT been accepting of contemporary worship. The problem is that this video becomes the stereotype for contemporary worship but it is not representative of much of what is being done today.

You say you enjoy how accurate it is...how often do you attend contemporary worship services? How many different church services of that kind have you attended? So when you say it's accurate, accurate of what?

See, you folks laugh and mock, but what specifically are you mocking? You are painting with broad strokes.

And here. You are specifically referring to the participants of this thread as those who laugh and mock.

I never said I despise anyone. I said I despise the video and the actions of those who mock and laugh—much different.

 

[jayce475]

Louis, did you read the whole thread? I wonder because all through this thread are people commenting who either sat under this type of worship for many years or participated in it. We recognize what we see which is why it resonated and struck us as funny. It's accuracy is why it is funny albiet also very sad as I said in the OP. I cannot count how many worship services I sat through that looked just like that. We mock what the video mocked, the formulaic concert atmosphere that is 100% will worship and has no place in any so-called "church" purporting to be worship of the true and living God. This kind of thing wouldn't have lasted 3 seconds in Moses day.

I did read the whole thread. Why would you sit through so many worship services that were that way?

Also, formulaic is a word that is used as a pejorative against contemporary worship, but traditional worship can also be formulaic, can it not? Following a formula is not a bad thing, particularly if the formula is a good one, a biblical one.

---------- Post added at 10:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 PM ----------

I despise this video. I despise how those who are against contemporary worship get such a kick out of it, how they laugh and ridicule. How easy it would be to make a parody of a traditional worship service and mock elements and stereotypes that exist in some churches. Yet I don't see that done. What I see is the continuation of the worship wars. I see hate and divisiveness.

Here. And read it in conjunction with Traci's post.

---------- Post added at 12:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:46 PM ----------

I despise this video. I despise how those who are against contemporary worship get such a kick out of it, how they laugh and ridicule. How easy it would be to make a parody of a traditional worship service and mock elements and stereotypes that exist in some churches. Yet I don't see that done. What I see is the continuation of the worship wars. I see hate and divisiveness.

This video was made by a church with contemporary worship and was making a caricature of itself. So, do I sit back and soberly say, "I won't laugh at you because I don't want to agree with the hate for yourself"? It was in fun, and I personally enjoy how accurate it is. And further, contrary to many others here, I think acceptable worship music includes Psalms, old hymns, new contemporary songs, whatever. If the lyrics are biblically sound and the songs are sang/performed for the glory of God in the Holy Spirit, I'm all for it. Of course, I don't think the majority of modern/contemporary worship qualifies in that . . .

I know who the video was made by. I also know that there often comes a "new, better way" every so often in the church, whether it be The Prayer of Jabez or The Purpose Driven Life, so the fact that a contemporary church is making fun of itself is of no importance to me. Those who I have seen comment on the video have largely NOT been accepting of contemporary worship. The problem is that this video becomes the stereotype for contemporary worship but it is not representative of much of what is being done today.

You say you enjoy how accurate it is...how often do you attend contemporary worship services? How many different church services of that kind have you attended? So when you say it's accurate, accurate of what?

See, you folks laugh and mock, but what specifically are you mocking? You are painting with broad strokes.

And here. You are specifically referring to the participants of this thread as those who laugh and mock.

I never said I despise anyone. I said I despise the video and the actions of those who mock and laugh—much different.

Fair enough. And so now our brothers and sisters are sharing with you why what has been said in this thread is justifiable.

 

[louis]

Well, that's fine.

Just know that the video is not indicative of all contemporary worship, certainly not where I attend.

 

[jayce475]

Well, that's fine.

Just know that the video is not indicative of all contemporary worship, certainly not where I attend.

Well yes, and no one here has intimated otherwise.

 

[louis]

Well, that's fine.

Just know that the video is not indicative of all contemporary worship, certainly not where I attend.

Well yes, and no one here has intimated otherwise.

Ok.

 

[Augusta]

Louis, did you read the whole thread? I wonder because all through this thread are people commenting who either sat under this type of worship for many years or participated in it. We recognize what we see which is why it resonated and struck us as funny. It's accuracy is why it is funny albiet also very sad as I said in the OP. I cannot count how many worship services I sat through that looked just like that. We mock what the video mocked, the formulaic concert atmosphere that is 100% will worship and has no place in any so-called "church" purporting to be worship of the true and living God. This kind of thing wouldn't have lasted 3 seconds in Moses day.

I did read the whole thread. Why would you sit through so many worship services that were that way?

Also, formulaic is a word that is used as a pejorative against contemporary worship, but traditional worship can also be formulaic, can it not? Following a formula is not a bad thing, particularly if the formula is a good one, a biblical one.

I sat under that worship because I was a modern evangelical Christian who had never heard of the doctrines of grace and was quite possibly not even saved at the time. I didn't know any different because I was raised in that type of church from a child.

An order of worship is night and day different from a formula that is designed to massage your emotions and make you feel like something happened to you.

 

[louis]

Louis, did you read the whole thread? I wonder because all through this thread are people commenting who either sat under this type of worship for many years or participated in it. We recognize what we see which is why it resonated and struck us as funny. It's accuracy is why it is funny albiet also very sad as I said in the OP. I cannot count how many worship services I sat through that looked just like that. We mock what the video mocked, the formulaic concert atmosphere that is 100% will worship and has no place in any so-called "church" purporting to be worship of the true and living God. This kind of thing wouldn't have lasted 3 seconds in Moses day.

I did read the whole thread. Why would you sit through so many worship services that were that way?

Also, formulaic is a word that is used as a pejorative against contemporary worship, but traditional worship can also be formulaic, can it not? Following a formula is not a bad thing, particularly if the formula is a good one, a biblical one.

I sat under that worship because I was a modern evangelical Christian who had never heard of the doctrines of grace and was quite possibly not even saved at the time. I didn't know any different because I was raised in that type of church from a child.

An order of worship is night and day different from a formula that is designed to massage your emotions and make you feel like something happened to you.

Well, that is certainly a reasonable explanation as to why you would have done so.

Perhaps my objection has not been stated clearly. There is much good, proper contemporary worship today. The caricature of the video perpetuates a stereotype that many easily affix to all in the modern worship genre.