Did Praise & Worship Kill the Local Christian Music Scene?

[sjonathan02]

Mr Sjon, no offense, but if you played guitar, you would understand the question. This is why FS posted it here rather than in the Lounge.

**shrug**

Well, explain to me then.  What makes this topic specific to the instrument known as guitar?

Especially when, in FS' initial post, he said the topic was NOT specific to the guitar but rather went on to make an erroneous comment concerning those who play said instrument.


 

[Fenix]

There's just no point explaining it. Its a guitar thing.

[funkStrat_97]

Wait, whut? How does it get any easier than call and response for a praise team?

I still don't understand the point of the question (as it is with most FS-style questions).  Are you saying that in some way, P&W killed local artists hanging out and playing music together?

Mr Sjon, no offense, but if you played guitar, you would understand the question. This is why FS posted it here rather than in the Lounge.

**shrug**

My brothers....let love rule    But in attempt to clarify the question, let my put this way.  If you lived in area that has an active community of Christian musicians and independent  artists; do you think that this community has seen a state of decline over the years as more and more Christians have embraced the popularity of praise music?  During the 90's and early 2000's, coffee houses seemed to be popular venues for local artists to fellowship and play music.  But as time has gone on and changes in family and work life has occurred, could it be that the comparatively small base of Christian music devotes has been greatly diminished?

[funkStrat_97]

...... an erroneous comment concerning those who play said instrument.


 

Hey....I resemble that remark!

[sjonathan02]

My brothers....let love rule    But in attempt to clarify the question, let my put this way.  If you lived in area that has an active community of Christian musicians and independent  artists; do you think that this community has seen a state of decline over the years as more and more Christians have embraced the popularity of praise music?  During the 90's and early 2000's, coffee houses seemed to be popular venues for local artists to fellowship and play music.  But as time has gone on and changes in family and work life has occurred, could it be that the comparatively small base of Christian music devotes has been greatly diminished?

I would think that family responsibilities and work would have a more direct cause to a decline in musicians getting together than a particular genre or style. 

If anything, I would think that musicians would want to get together to either embrace the direction of Christian music or to reminisce about the 'good old days'.


Thanks for the clarification, FS.

[docjohn]

I see a few coffee house places,but that's an area hit pretty hard by the economy resulting in closings.Then,a lot of folks are practicing for sunday services.

There's  a few "musician" friendly venues that are "formula driven" so at least everybody can play.Or,it turns into a jam session,not a bad thing.

But;I think a number of factors has come together resulting in isolation rather than integration.For < $1K -you can have a fairly decent home studio and jam to your hearts content.You can play "guitar hero " without dealing with somebody else's attitude(s).

So@ some level it's a polarizing attitude.

[gtrdave]

There was a time a couple years ago where this little county of this little state had up to 5 popular weekend Christian music 'coffee houses' operating out of local churches.
Now, we have 2.
To me, the blame for the demise of the other three is not on the popularity of any music style or anything.
Here's what happened:
Coffee house 1 - closed due to the pastor realizing that the ends weren't justifying the means. It was his hope that a popular coffee house would result in a growing congregation, especially with the lost being saved. It didn't. It ended up being nothing more than Christian entertainment with Christians who went to other churches.
Coffee house 2 - closed due to poor planning, poor promotion and a poor venue. They billed it as a 'single's ministry' yet there were more married w/ kids people coming than singles. They also held it in the gym...the WORST possible place to EVER have live music. That combined with a lack of interest to fix problems 1 and 2 killed it.
Coffee house 3 - We played at it once and it was disorganized and poorly promoted. Nice people, but...

Coffee houses 4 and 5 are still going strong. My wife and I played one last month and had one of the largest crowds that they'd ever seen. I played the other one the month prior and it, too, was packed. Their success is in their desire to keep things simple and be both a place where you'd invite your unsaved friends and provide good Christian entertainment.

My church has talked about having a monthly 'thing', but I know that our head pastor, much like the pastor of #1 above, wants to see fruit from it. The whole point of why we do what we do as a church is to see the lost become found in Christ and for them to grow into being mature disciples. He doesn't just want Christians to entertain other Christians.

I think there needs to be a place for both.

[betnich]

As a keyboard player -

This goes along with something I have been thinking about lately - the dearth of Christian fellowship among local music people. Why?

Several factors -

The Economy - naturally. Yet one can set up for free in a home, on the street corner, or in most parks: maybe have to get a permit from the county or city if you want electricity. I see opportunities at community street fairs and local festivals; but few ministries take advantage of it.

Churches closing/not sponsoring venues. Call it lack of vision or passion for outreach, jealousy, wanting 'results', keeping one's singers and musicians in-house - there is a lack of encouragement to go outside the four walls of the church among leadership in our area.

Musicians' natural reticence - most (at least on LGM) seem rather introverted...

[Fenix]

Musicians' natural reticence - most (at least on LGM) seem rather introverted...

Was it the amount of time we spend on LGM ranting and posting that gave this away? 

But seriously, it is not just LGM. Most musicians I have come across just don't want to be bothered going anywhere else.

I remember we had a discussion once in our choir to take our singing to the streets. We could easily get a permit and set up. It just ended up dying a natural death.

[Sweetplayer]

Mr Sjon, no offense, but if you played guitar, you would understand the question. This is why FS posted it here rather than in the Lounge.

**shrug**

I agree,Sjon go play your flute.

[jlynnb1]

maybe it's because musicians have more of an outlet in their local church with the wide acceptance of P&W music?? even ten years ago there were some churches that didn't have a full band, so if you were a musician and wanted to glorify God through your talents you had to find somewhere to do it.

now with some churches having multiple genre worship services on the same campus simultaneously, there is almost unlimited opportunity to use your gifts. With the amount of time that usually goes into serving on a team that doesn't leave a lot of room for other things.

(this also doesn't take into account how many p&w teams think they are rockstars....you don't get to play in front of thousands of people on a weekend at a local coffee shop)

[sjonathan02]

maybe it's because musicians have more of an outlet in their local church with the wide acceptance of P&W music?? even ten years ago there were some churches that didn't have a full band, so if you were a musician and wanted to glorify God through your talents you had to find somewhere to do it.

now with some churches having multiple genre worship services on the same campus simultaneously, there is almost unlimited opportunity to use your gifts. With the amount of time that usually goes into serving on a team that doesn't leave a lot of room for other things.

(this also doesn't take into account how many p&w teams think they are rockstars....you don't get to play in front of thousands of people on a weekend at a local coffee shop)

Hmmm....interesting point.

[gtrdave]

maybe it's because musicians have more of an outlet in their local church with the wide acceptance of P&W music?? even ten years ago there were some churches that didn't have a full band, so if you were a musician and wanted to glorify God through your talents you had to find somewhere to do it.

now with some churches having multiple genre worship services on the same campus simultaneously, there is almost unlimited opportunity to use your gifts. With the amount of time that usually goes into serving on a team that doesn't leave a lot of room for other things.

(this also doesn't take into account how many p&w teams think they are rockstars....you don't get to play in front of thousands of people on a weekend at a local coffee shop)

All very good points.

Of course, one thing to take into consideration is all of those Christian musicians who claim to HATE P&W and pop CCM music. I know that some of them are playing on worship teams on the weekends, dreading every minute of it (I'm basing this on what I've read here and on various Christian music forums and group pages).
Some of them are out there playing the coffee shops and such.

[Gibby]

Sketch....a bass singer....what is that? Do you mean tenor? Lol! J/k...