My church is currently going through a serious issue regarding which worship songs are allow to sing during Sunday service. A while back our elder and deacon board made a ruling stating songs written by Matt Redmon can no longer be sung at church because he is from a charismatic background (our church believes the charismatic movement is heretical, which I do not agree with). They believe any worship songs written by anyone that are from charismatic movement should not be sung at our church. This decision has caused deep hurt among our younger congregation members and our youth pastor because he was never consulted with this decision. How do I lovingly address this with the leadership without accusing them of being 'an old man sitting in front of his house, yelling at the kids to get off his lawn' ?
Hyper-charismaticism (not mainstream, traditional Pentecostalism) is gradually overtaking North American Protestant evangelical churches under the guise of the New Apostolic Reformation. Many of the associated doctrines of this movement are starkly false and destructive both to individuals and churches.
www.hollypivec.com
And so, I think the Elders of your church do right in guarding the "flock," over which they stand as spiritual protectors and defenders, from these doctrines that may be subtly insinuated through the worship music coming from the movement. As well, to use music associated with hyper-charismaticism is to tacitly acknowledge some good in hyper-charismaticism and thus to soften the legitimate and serious concerns that there are about it.
On a purely spiritual level, many modern worship songs divert the attention that ought to be given to God to the one singing. Many "worship" songs are fixed on the what
the worshiper feels, or thinks, or does relative to God, rather than on just God Himself, on His attributes, His wisdom, His saving and transforming work, His power demonstrated in Creation, etc.. Subtly, these songs insinuate the worshiper into what ought to be an entirely God-focused activity, orienting the worshiper upon
themselves. Of course, some older hymns suffered from this problem, too. I cringe often, though, at some of the doctrinally-awful, and spiritually-juvenile lyrics, of modern "worship" choruses.
If the Elders/deacons are putting their foot down on modern choruses, they ought to be able to offer a good, biblical justification for doing so. They lead, not by unchallengeable fiat, but by well-reasoned and soundly scriptural teaching that is intended to move believers into a deeper spiritual (as opposed to merely emotional) experience of God. Everything an Elder does ought to be aimed at helping their spiritual family enjoy God more and be increasingly transformed, and used, by Him. This is the ultimate responsibility of any Elder, not to lord it over their brothers and sisters in Christ, "laying down the law" to them out of knee-jerk opposition to things "modern," or "untraditional," or misaligned with the preferences and personality of the Elders.
Elders are to
lead, though, not move by edict of the majority. Even if their congregation is not in wholehearted agreement, so long as their chosen course is soundly biblical (that is, both reasoned, careful and well-informed in the handling of God's word), they must carry on regardless, sometimes enduring the censure and resistance of those they lead as a consequence. With young people in particular it is vital that they not be permitted to dictate to the Elders what ought to be allowed in a worship service. Both by virtue of their youthfulness (brashness, incontinency, poorly-regulated desire for excitement), and an often corresponding spiritual immaturity (born in no small part from a lack of long experience with God), they are the least suited to offer direction on spiritual matters to a church community. This isn't to say that they ought to be ignored, or marginalized, only that looking to them for leadership is a deeply foolish idea spiritually.
