Let me tell you a story about two churches that appear the same, from a similar socio-economic status, the pastors even went to the same seminary, and they preach in nearly identical ways. The service styles are so similar you could listen to a recording of each and be hard pressed to tell which church it came from. The similarities, though, are only on the surface.
The first church - for the sake of simplicity we'll call it First Church - came to a crossroads a while ago. The younger generation wanted the church to use songs that were more up-to-date. Three-hundred-year-old songs played on an instrument that seemed about the same age were just not their cup of tea. They wanted lively music with understandable lyrics. When archaic words (like "here I raise my Ebenezer" or "naught be all else to me") were sung, they would snicker. From their perspective, the "funeral dirge music" needed more than a face lift. A Botox injection would not help. This clearly would take major surgery.
The older folks, on the other hand, were perfectly content right where they were. "These songs were good enough for grandpa and for pa and for me. They'll be good enough for you. Don't rock the boat. The majority of us here at First Church are happy with the way we do things. It ain't broke. Don't try to fix it."
Quite the dilemma. Stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place. Not much in the way of options here.
Then something happened. The pastor - or some other silver-tongued orator - bartered a truce. Somehow he convinced both sides to give a little. If a compromise could be reached, he told them, everyone would eventually be satisfied. The negotiations weren't easy but the two sides finally agreed to meet half way. If it meant achieving some measure of peace, they would try to cooperate.
So they began using contemporary choruses along with the hymns. A praise band was assembled to lead the newer songs. They wanted a sound that was progressive but not too edgy. They actually found a good blend of instruments and voices. Hymns were still sung with the organ, but the newer songs had a newer sound. A couple of hymns, a couple of "now" songs, and everyone got what they wanted, right? Wrong!
It was a nightmare. No one - and I do mean no one - was happy. If there was unrest at First Church before, now it was worse. Far worse. Those who previously had been content were certainly not pleased with this new arrangement. At least before they used reverent songs. These new songs sounded like the stuff on the radio. "This is not church music," they said. "This sounds like something you'd hear in the lounge down the road."
Then, of course, those who had pushed for the updated music were not pleased either. Oh, they got to use some up-to-date music, but they still had to contend with the archaic stuff. "Why on earth do we want to sing songs where the music and the words often make little sense to us today?"
When the modern songs were used, the traditionalists stood stoically, refusing to participate. They were certainly not going to be a part of this new sound in church. "This was not my idea," they announced firmly. "I don't want anything to do with it."
Similarly, when the organ began, the younger folks rolled their eyes. "Here we go again," they would sigh. Further, they looked condescendingly toward any of their party who would dare to actually sing the hymns.
It was indeed a truce, but not unlike most modern cease-fire agreements. The slightest provocation could trigger an attack. An inopportune comment could easily cause members of either side to spring into rapid-fire offensive action. It was not pretty.
I did mention, though, that there was another church, Second Church. In many ways theirs was a similar story. The same crossroad was encountered. Some folks wanted change. Others clearly did not. But the way they handled the situation was completely different than First Church. There was no compromise. No truce was signed, no peace treaty rendered. Instead, they went forward in genuine love and concern for one another.
Those who loved the wonderful old hymns did not really want to change. Those songs were almost as much a part of their heritage as eating and breathing. The words and melodies rolled easily off their tongues. Those songs were a sacred part of their lives, but they realized that change was necessary. So rather than fighting about it, they embraced the idea of change. They willingly set aside their own preferences in order to help along the next generation of believers. New songs were sung with gusto by aged voices. Those who were mature in their faith welcomed the new words and melodies with open arms. It was nothing short of a miracle.
What happened as result of their wholehearted acceptance of the changes, though, was most unexpected and every bit as much a miracle. The younger folks, when they realized how much the older ones had given up to accommodate them, suggested that maybe some of the old hymns were still pretty good. The organ wasn't really such a bad instrument. "Let's still use hymns with an organ on a regular basis," suggested Ross Peterson, Second Church's most outspoken new-song advocate. Those who looked closely noticed that 83-year-old Ethel Burgmeier had tears in her eyes as she hugged Ross after his comment.
No, unlike First Church, there was no fighting and kicking and screaming at Second Church. Certainly, some folks handled the changes better than others, but they all chose to love one another in the midst of change and that made all the difference.
Although the services at First Church and Second Church seem very similar in style and content, there is a tangible difference. Unlike First Church, there is an amazing absence of hostility at Second Church. The people genuinely care for one another. They have chosen to display honest love and concern for each other, regardless of their differences.
Does your church resemble either of these stories? If you think the second one sounds like a better idea, but you're in the midst of the first one, I pray that you will help your people to learn to love one another - truly love one another as Jesus said - and then watch what can happen.
This article is adapted from the book, The Missing Element of Worship. When it comes to the topic of worship, Tom Kraeuter is one of the most respected teachers in the body of Christ today. His Worship Seminars are held all across North America. For more information on any of Tom's books or seminars, go to www.training-resources.org.
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