Comments on: True or False – Generations and Their Music

By: Randy

Randy — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:20:13 +0000

I can’t think of a way to answer this without making generalizations that are just too big of a stretch. For one thing it depends upon whether we’re talking about musicians/singers who are constantly listening to the latest in Christian music. That group ( including me ) won’t mind more new songs and fewer of the oldies.

I’m 60 and grew up on rock and roll ( and never “outgrew” that to develop much interest in jazz or classical ) so I like contemporary Christian. As a worship leader I do make use of hymns occasionally. Partly because our older crowd likes them and partly because they are so rich in content. I’m now using a few of the modernized hymns such as those I found on Bart Millard’s recent albums ( Hymned Again etc ).

As far as teenagers, I’m not sure they respond too well to any worship band/team where the members are over 30. As an “oldster” I must admit I just don’t get Rap and basically consider it something other than music. Other than that I’m tolerant of everything from hymns to Gaither/Gospel to contemporary. I wish I could do some of the more aggressive Rock tunes in church ( 3rd Day etc ) , but must constantly keep my Pastor’s vision in mind. He says “don’t stamped the sheep” and play songs that will be comfortable to everyone who comes in the door.

That last statement seems impossible, actually. Well I’ve rambled around — tough question that just depends on your congregation I guess. Paul Baloche always mentions “Preferring One Another” in guiding worship teams. This has wider application.

By: Harold

Harold — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:23:03 +0000

It is true for both Gospel oand other music genres

By: Harold

Harold — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:17:26 +0000

It is true. Its true for both gospel music and other music types.

By: Peter Park

Peter Park — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:41:48 +0000

I don’t think it matters either way. Whether someone is closed minded or open minded is a matter of the person, not their generation.

By: Kelli

Kelli — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:17:44 +0000

Ive gotta agree. Alot of older people seem to have a hard time learning in general from younger people, whether its music, financial advice or even spiritual issues. as a 30 year old, I tend to like the oldies, the contemporary adult stuff, as well as the alternative and rock the younger kids like. I just love music. Kellis last blog post..Good Man, Great God (Part 2)

By: brent(inWorship)

brent(inWorship) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:56:28 +0000

Geez, I am getting in on this way late. Didn't read through all the comments, but I'll give you my thoughts. In our community, I am seeing the opposite. the older generation knows we are changing. They know times are different. They also know that their idea of church is limited to almost being unavailable. There is a changing of the wind that I see. Older are more apt to "deal" with the new. I am more inclined to see an older person visit a newer more contemporary church than I am to see a younger person visit an older traditional church. The people serving in our church, giving in our church and generally participating in our church are the older people. I don't get asked to do hymns anymore. I'm told by younger people that they don't like the hymns. I am sure there are those in both camps that are different than what i am saying. but for our church which is contemporary, modern and aggressive in music. I see the older generation flexing...not the younger. brent(inWorship)s last blog post..The Best and Worst of Halloween

By: Shawn

Shawn — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:29:53 +0000

False. In my experience, they are equally as unaccepting to the other's musical styles. We have a blended service at our church, Which to us means we do a hymn or two mixed with mostly praise songs that the older generation defines as contemporary. One way I've found to bridge the gap is to find common ground. From time to time we'll sing the old southern hymn "Wonderful Grace Of Jesus". It's gets everyone smiling. The older generation is happy because they grew up with the song and enjoy celebrating God's grace through it. The younger generation is smiling because they say it sounds like music on a carousel and they're mostly making fun of it. Either way, it makes everyone happy. Now, having said that, I realize making everyone smile is not the objective. We discuss a lot in our services how whatever song we're singing might not be meant for you. If you're not connecting with God through a certain song, maybe someone else is. It's a good idea to look around the room and see if someone else is enjoying it. Maybe you can then worship the Lord simply because of what he's doing for that other person. I'm thankful that both of these generations at our church are tolerant of the others styles, but I do still hear about it from time to time. Shawns last blog post..Just an observation

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:26:29 +0000

I think it’s all a matter of the heart! If you love the Lord, you’ll listen to the words of the song, and as they minister to you, then it doesn’t matter if it’s an old hymn or contemporary praise song. Although I agree that we all have “style” preferences. In my church I think the older people (65 – 80) really enjoy the contemporary praise, but the younger (teens – 30 something) don’t care for the older music or hymns. Our praise team has a violinist, and he is 87 years young and he keeps right up with our contemporary praise!!

By: Fred McKinnon

Fred McKinnon — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:59:17 +0000

JonWesley -
So, rearrange the hymns!

By: JonWesley

JonWesley — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:57:45 +0000

I would say that both groups are equally as likely to not accept the other group's music. We have a blended style, and get oppostion about the use of hymns from the youth involved in leading with me. However, it is mostly because so many hymns seem to be "country-fied." You know, that 3/4 to 6/8 feel. Even our bassist complains about the constant "1... 5... 1... 5..." JonWesleys last blog post..Living Worship: TRUST

By: Eyrline Morgan

Eyrline Morgan — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:53:07 +0000

At our church the older generation is prone to try to ignore the younger generation’s music, particularly Christian rap. There is a lot of crossover type contemporary music liked by all generations, if it isn’t too loud with CD backups. Most of the older generation wear hearing aides and CD music is distorted to them. They would rather have live accompaniments. When the praise bands, with guitar, keyboard, etc. accompany, it is too loud for comfort. We use piano and pipe organ to accompany singing, some of which is contemporary and the older generation is learning to like. Some of the younger generation is going back to traditional hymns along with contemporary songs. The praise choruses have been around since the 70′s.

By: RS

RS — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:41:16 +0000

True! The older generation (40+) ALWAYS has a hard time with the “new music”, mainly because the chord patterns are so complicated, the melodies are all over the place, and access to the music too expensive or complicated. As a singer and guitar player, I cannot play half the stuff because it’s so complicated. This is also one of the biggest challenge our piano player finds too – finding the new music, figuring out the melody (if there is one), and then testing if the congregation can actually sing it. If you drop into a church that plays only contemporary music you will just have to notice this: most people are not singing. They are trying, but they are having a really hard time. If you polled them after service, 90% would say, yah, we are having difficulty with the new music, but we are giving the young people a chance. I personally find that sad. If the worship team is sensitive, they will not introduce too many new songs at once, and they will balance old with occassional new until new becomes familiar. You will notice that if the worship suddenly drops into a more traditional song, the old people are singing and having a good time. The atmospher changes, everyone is singing and the young people are singing too.

By: Mike Carter

Mike Carter — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:48:21 +0000

False in our part of the country.
Its a balanced blend of age and musical choice. Todays music is uplifting, cheerful and brave! The old Hymns are uplifting, cheerful and brave! (mostly)

By: Bobby Gilles

Bobby Gilles — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:40:58 +0000

"What the experience seems to be is that older people are vocal and younger people just don’t come back." Great comment, Rich. As to the question, I don't think you can absolutely answer it one way or the other. Too much depends on each person, church family and regional culture. The key thing is that we have to cultivate an openness in Christians, whether young or old, to accept musical plurality as a good thing. In fact, more than a good thing. It's a reflection of the doctrine of imago dei -- we are created in the image of God. Look at all the variety in His creation: the limitless unique sights, sounds and textures that He put on this earth and beyond. And when we look at Paul's "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs" we see variety. Scholars can't say exactly what the differences must have been in each song, but whatever they were, we clearly see that Paul mentions three different kinds of songs through which we must "speak to each other." Bobby Gilless last blog post..Songwriting Workshop Focuses On Children’s Worship Songs

By: Herb Stucky

Herb Stucky — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:22:05 +0000

I have found the young to be tolerant of the old and the old tolerant of the young, However the median adults (30 – 50) want it there way or the highway. The bad thing was the median adults were devided between Contemporary,P/W; or Southern Gospel and they are not tolerant of each other. Senior adults can sometimes be very vocal about there likes and dislikes, but if they have a heart for people and reaching them, they tend to be tolerant. Young people just want the old stuff to be done in a relavent way, some extra instruments and a little more rhythmic interest.

By: Sandy Day

Sandy Day — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:30:59 +0000

I would have to say false. The younger group always want to attend the contemporary services. Being a senior, I believe that we as a group have a wider range of experiences and are more prone to enjoy all music. I actually prefer the contemporary worship and love to go to concerts.

By: rene s. villamor sr.

rene s. villamor sr. — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 07:24:19 +0000

True, younger gen flow of music mostly is not appreciated by older gen except me. I belong to the older gen but I’m open to both kinds of music coz I too am a worship leader.

By: Jerry So

Jerry So — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:17:50 +0000

i would say True because (in a Christian setting), most kids get to hear a lot of these old songs played when they’re young. Quite a handful are being revived esp hymns that caters to todays style of music. So Young Gen kids can easily adapt n even admire them. But for the Oldies, it’s very very hard. Take my Church as a very good example!

By: Peter Thorp

Peter Thorp — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:14:33 +0000

Lots of thoughts and ideas… It probably depends on the church background. If the church has been very traditional then the old favorites will be popular with the oldies, if its a ‘Hillsong’ music type church then modern music is more acceptable. Folk sing louder if they know the tunes, and some of the newer tunes can be hard to learn, and as has already mentioned the music attitude comes from where the heart is. Our church has a good mix of old’s and new’s although we tend towards to more modern type of music and everybody seems to enjoy the worship.
As a PA operator the difference is noticable – sing an old traditional song and you can almost turn the PA off because the volume is so high, with some of the new songs you turn the choir up to fill in the silence. Overall I think there is a general acceptance of both styles of music

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:07:14 +0000

TRUE

True, generally,

My opinion,

I’d say it’s human nature to like/appreciate what is familiar. Also, a human will appreciate that which he/she associates with something meaningful in his/her life (such as one’s youth – if it was a good one).

Old school remains new school to the older generation, forever! Today’s new school is tomorrow’s old school.

Teach a young person what to listen to/appreciate and it’s goin to take EXTRA work for them to appreciate other modes when older.

Thanks and Stay blessed!

By: Randy Neufeld

Randy Neufeld — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:46:12 +0000

If I were to respond to music in general, I would have to say TRUE. However, if I were to answer from the perspective of what I have seen in our congregation, I would say FALSE. This wasn't always the case, however in the last 3 to 5 years, I have seen our older generations, become far more accepting of "non-hymns" as not only acceptable, but meaningful and engaging. It's very moving to see our seniors heartily singing Fuhrler's 'It is You"! We are also blessed with youth and young adults who also enjoy and want to sing the great hymns of our faith! Randy Neufelds last blog post..When You Smile

By: fmckinnon (fmckinnon)

fmckinnon (fmckinnon) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:33:18 +0000

True or False – Generations and Musical Preference, 37+ comments and rising. Join the discussion at http://is.gd/59MI

By: Travis Paulding

Travis Paulding — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:59:18 +0000

I say TRUE that they are more likely, but not always accept the music of other generations. I, as a former youth pastor and current sound guy, have had countless conversations with both young & old about music. There is definitely no "rule" to follow that applies to everyone, but there is a general idea. Teens and college age students, once they have a concept explained to them, are much more likely to say "not my style but I understand why we use this song/style." Older generations, in my experience, tend to understand the difference and then simply wish that it would take place somewhere else. As I type all that I can also think of plenty of "exceptions" to that rule. Maybe the options presented in the true/false question are really to broad to get a great answer. Travis Pauldings last blog post..Get In The Game Intro Video

By: Cynthia Campbell

Cynthia Campbell — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:15:58 +0000

I am amazed at the older people I see really worshipping to music geared to younger audiences. Older people are really wanting to accomodate the younger crowd and make them feel comfortable and accepted and not feel as though they have to leave the church . I do think that the younger crowds do not realize what older church goers went through (spiritual battles) to bring them to where their wishes for relevant music can be honored. There is an entire group of worshippers now middle aged who pioneered the kind of music you now hear in our churches.

By: Steve Cass

Steve Cass — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:54:10 +0000

Sorry! I forgot to finish my thought (yah, I’m long winded…).

So, I believe that true worshippers who are young are more accepting of older music when that music is presented in true worship. I believe older, and I consider myself older at 50 (although I’m more accepting because I’m a musician) generations look with disdain upon modern rock that is not of true worship. They are more accepting of the ‘noise’ if there’s a Godly ends to those means!

Steve