I'm a proponent of maintaining our connection with timeless hymns, but feel no obligation to present them in an old-fashioned way. I've adopted George Barna's position that these hymns are most effective in our target culture when presented in a fresh, contemporary setting. In that sense, I think blended worship is ideal. I like to see songs, hymns and spiritual songs (Col. 3:16) in every worship service, along with prayers, readings and dramas. (Perhaps it goes without saying, but this assumes that the full counsel of God's Word be preached boldly and without apology. We can't worship a God we don't know.)
I've seen this approach bring personal and corporate renewal to the lives of God's People. It attracts a broad spectrum of people, particularly couples with young children, and gives the church a platform from which to help men and women build their homes on the Solid Rock of God's Word. As a corollary benefit, the music seems to attract more seekers to visit our churches; accordingly, there are more salvations and baptisms.
I could stop here, but I cannot keep silent about what I've observed in the past couple of decades. I've served in two evangelical churches, been a worship development missionary to dozens of traditional ministries and have interviewed hundreds of worship leaders. I know all about the worship wars. Over the years, I've had astonishing levels of outrage poured out upon me and the musicians I've worked with. My wife has been shunned. I've received anonymous, vicious notes. People have cornered my children and berated them for what I do, and shamed them for taking part in it.
One woman actually said, "I don't care about unity, and I don't care about reaching the community! I just want my hymns done MY WAY!"
The stories are unbelievable.
But I've also had dear Saints wrap their arms around me and thank me - weeping - for finally providing a place where they could truly worship God the way they've longed to do. I have wonderful stories of children who no longer argue about going to church, but actually run ahead to the sanctuary so they won't miss the worship. A mom told me about her rebellious teen who kept singing, "Yes Lord!" all week long. People recognize praise song lyrics while reading their Bibles and suddenly realize they've memorized huge amounts of God's Word! I keep a wall festooned with encouraging notes and E-mails to remind me of these things...because when the critics come, they are so cotton pickin' nasty.
Clearly, one response is biblically better than the other, and the difference is not subtle.
The older I get, the more I delight in the noisy, messy joy of changed lives! Revival and emotional healing often leaves behind a trail of crumpled Kleenex. Passionate praises, running children, crashing cymbals and unbridled enthusiasm tell me that Our King is very likely in residence, and bringing abundant life, just as He promised.
