As an Anglican I have always prided myself in being part of a Christian denomination marbleized with lenience and forgiveness. Growing up attending a Roman Catholic school, I was fully aware of the differences between these two branches of Christian faith.
Most importantly, at the time, I knew that in my denomination, anyone was welcome to eat at the Lord's table, whereas in the Roman Catholic church I was forced only to be blessed (of course, myself the rebel, I simply didn't tell the Father I was Anglican and took the Body anyways...)
It was much to my surprise then, when I was 14, when I discovered a Roman Catholic youth group that inspired me so much, I almost converted.
Music. It's a big part of my life, and therefore, a big part of my fellowship. While my respect for the classic Anglican hymns is above and beyond, when I was growing up in church, the closest I ever got to being enlightened by a piece of spiritual music was "Draw the Circle Wide" by
Flashback. Sitting in the mezzanine of the only Roman Catholic church in
Better is one day in your courts,
Better is one day in your house,
Better is one day in your courts
Than thousands elsewhere.
Not only did I feel these lyrics, but I heard them, accompanied by acoustic guitars, keyboards, a drum set, and a microphone.
My heart and flesh cry out
For You the living God;
Your Spirit's water to my soul.
I've tasted and I've seen,
Come once again to me;
I will draw near to You...
The numbers at this service were through the roof - maybe 300 youth. All of them were singing, all of them wanted to be there. I went to my church service the next Sunday and we sang an upbeat version of the Lord's Prayer, not to mention we had a whopping 15 under 20s in attendance.
Let's not beat around the bush. In an age when church is optional but change is inevitable it is necessary to decide not which age group to cater to, but which steps to take to make sure all are accommodated.
Our parishes want youth. They want to survive, to flourish, but it seems we are unwilling to go the distance. "New music is insulting" and "this music is too evangelical" are the favorite excuses I hear.
Those who have had their music and their way for sixty years need to realize that if the church is going to grow, the tastes of the alumni need to be sacrificed. So what's a little guitar going to do at the foot of the Lord?
"How lovely is Your dwelling place (Better is one day)" is by Matt Redman (c)1995 by Thankyou Music and available at Kingswaysongs.com.