Are You Singing Any New Songs?

Pastor Randy Corbin, Transitional Lead Pastor

Each generation has always found a way to offend the older generation.

So do not think that it is just our generation that is disturbing the generation above us.  The generation above us offended the one above them as well. And, the generation following us will no doubt offend you and me too.  It comes with ever changing societal  adjustments.

Take music for example:  contemporary Christian music offended those who imported scripture choruses while those who brought in scripture choruses offended those who embraced the gospel songs; those who developed the gospel songs offended those who imported the classical hymns of the past; those who composed the classical hymns of the past offended those who sang unaccompanied psalms.  And, it could go on.

Most of us know the innovation of Dr. A. B. Simpson, founder of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.  He disturbed many in his day.  The traditionalists wanted nothing to do with him when he brought instrumentation into the church and created hymns and songs apart from the Psalms.  In Simpson’s day, the belief was that the only singing to be done was to be from the book of the Psalms.  Yet, he was never happy with the status quo and created novel ways to teach, instruct and bring praise to the Savior. 

The truth of it is:  we must be ever creating and singing new songs, musically, organizationally, and programmatically.  The truly alive congregation is not into finding a comfortable rut and staying in it.  The Church must be ever restless and never quite satisfied because it is continually exegeting itself and its culture and responding with “new songs.”  If we look the same now as we did five years ago, I would bet we are on the backside of the lifecycle. 

Although it is a bit dangerous to take our cues from the business world, I do believe General Electric chairman Jack Welch had it right when he said, “If the rate of change inside an organization is less than the rate of change outside…their end is in sight.”

So, let’s look at our ministry over the last few years and ask:  “Are we singing any new songs?”  As a living, growing organism, we must…or, we die!