NICE CONCERT

I went to a very nice concert this morning. I go most Sunday mornings. There was a new guy singing tenor who has a beautiful voice. The women’s voices have always been nice. They blend very well. But usually there is a fellow who plays guitar and sings. I don’t want to take anything away from him, as he is reasonably new to church. I believe his musical background is in grunge, or whatever style it is that the lyrics are screamed. When he actually hits a note it is the right one, but he typically has a scratching, screaming style that overwhelms the harmony – if there is any.

I know rock bands are typical in many churches today. The organ is gone. I’m OK with that. Drums are in. I’m even OK with that. Keyboards have replaced pianos. OK, the range is greater and you can always tuck the keyboard under your arm and take it home. It is strange to see a beautiful grand piano sitting untouched. Maybe they cannot be sold easily. I don’t even mind most guitars. As an instrument, they are fine. I’ve had one foot in the youth culture most of my life. I have adjusted to new styles so often I don’t know if I have a favorite style. With all the instruments, a sound system seems to be required for balance. But this little church was designed to use no sound system, which may explain why we have concerts.

I do know what I don’t like, but I won’t go into that. Instead, here is what I miss.

I miss congregational singing and the beautiful harmonies that came from an enthusiastic congregation. Yes, I’m old and we always have something to complain about. But don’t get me wrong. I know times they are a changing and I want to see churches do all they can to attract and hold the younger generation. I guess they are a concert going generation. However, Personally, I prefer participation. That’s where many people learned to sing and to sing harmony. It’s a powerful sound. I never evaluated that sound.


I attend a reasonably small church. It might seat 150, but more likely 120-130. I usually go to the first morning (old peoples) service where there are only 60 plus people. Very few sing. I cannot hear anyone but the performers. They were good today. But I still miss the full surround sound of a congregation. But time moves on.

Now I do like that they serve coffee and you can take it to your seat. I know that’s a newer thing. But I am often in a rush and don’t always have breakfast before I leave. The donuts aren’t bad either.

I have been attending that church for several months now and only one person besides that pastor, his wife and a handful from The Home ever speak to me. Now this is funny to me. Maybe I should be offended. But I’m not. They have an assistant pastor who runs around talking to people and today, for the first time that I have heard him, he stopped at the family behind me and introduced himself . We have made eye contact on numerous occasions but her has never introduced himself or spoken to me in anyway, I guess I’m not in his target group. But the church is too small not to notice who is new, especially if you are on staff and looking for the new people.

I am now playing a game. It started awhile back. I wish I could remember from the beginning. But I am counting the weeks it may take before he speaks to me. I’m at 11 weeks now. This is getting fun. I am debating what to say when he does speak. I am tempted to tell him how many weeks it has been that we have never talked. That might be mean spirited.