Do We Sing All Five Worship Hymn Preferences?

Recently Dr. Bob shared the following article with me from the “Presbyterian News”.

The title above is the title of an article published by those who know churches and the struggles they have – especially when it comes to music. They have learned that our likes and dislikes with regard to church music depends on when we were born.

Most people born before 1927 prefer what are called the old gospel hymns (those written between 1870 and 1935). Authors Herb Miller and David Bales explain that we “bond” to music (sacred and secular alike) between the ages of 16 and 24. People in this age category prefer hymns such as “Blessed Assurance” and “In the Garden”.

Three-fourths of American Protestants born from 1927 through 1945 prefer the great classic hymns (written between 1520 and 1870). They love pipe organs, classic hymns and choirs. Examples of classics are: “Holy, Holy Holy”, “A Mighty Fortress” and “The Church’s One Foundation”.

Our challenge: Most people born since 1960 view most of these hymns as boring and devoid of meaning. They prefer what is now described as “non-traditional,” “contemporary” or “praise songs.”

David Bales and Herb Miller write: “To avoid gradually shrinking in membership over the next decade. Congregations must consciously decide to provide worship experiences that match the spiritual preferences of young-adult age groups. Music may not determine the people a church effectively reaches, but music choices determine the people a church cannot reach.”

The biggest reason to include all types of music is that worship attendance, Christian conversions and offerings increase. By including all types of music we are likely to increase that possibility of being a healthy church twenty five years from now. Without these changes we will continue to see the church decline in numbers and vitality.

In His Name,
Jerry Westerman
Director of Music Ministry
First Presbyterian Church

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