I had an epiphany this weekend.
I visited a church where I was music director from the late 70's to late 80's. I really helped the church by starting a choir and bringing the music quality level up! We brought in drums, bass guitar to go along with the piano and organ.
We were suddenly attracting a younger crowd because we had music that they liked. The older folks didn't like it at first, in fact some of them left.
The bottom line is that the Lord blessed and moved in our congregation in a new way.
When I visited the church again for the first time in twenty years, things had changed. They no longer had a choir, and (gasp!) the acoustic piano was traded in on two keyboards! They had taken the pews out of the choir loft to add a drum cage and space for the different guitars. I was thinking that the music had gone to pot after I left!
When church started it sounded like a rock concert with songs on the screen that I was not familiar with. But.......the spirit of worship was extremely strong with praising and dancing before the Lord. It used to take a really good black choir song to get people that exciting in worship!
As I looked around, I noticed that 3/4ths of the congregation were probably under the age of 30! They had found a way to connect to the younger generations. I was impressed with the way the youth were on fire and worshiping God.
I asked about the church attendance, and they told me that attendance had doubled in the last two years since they changed the worship type and format! They are now running about 800 in two Sunday services. (400 each)
I realize that the style of church music that I like usually attracts folks that are my age. My daughter (age 27) that was with me loved their music!
Maybe it's time to let our young leaders (age 30) take the lead in reaching this new generation. As long as our older preachers are leading, nothing will change! Please let our younger leaders take the reigns before we lose a generation and get closer to extension.
Folks my age may not be comfortable at first, but they'll get used to it once the power of God starts moving in the church like never before!
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