This is an area that I have a real problem with & I have a hard time deciding what is the best answer. My church has two services on Sunday morning, one contemporary in which I play (reluctantly) a couple of keyboards joined by piano, guitars, drums etc. Some of the contemporary choruses that we do have a wonderful message and a very pleasing melody, and I can see from my vantage point that lots of people in the congregation are participating in worship. However, many of the others are just not pleasing to the ear, and the rhythms and melodies are too difficult for the congregation to participate. I do not believe that many of these will stand the "test of time," and if we, as worship leaders, cannot encourage our congregation to participate in worship of our Creator, then are we really doing what God has called us to do? In the traditional service where I am playing the organ and using music that means something to the vast majority of the congregation, I feel more like I am an aid to worship. What's the right answer to this question? I don't know the answer, but for myself, I want to accomplish two things: play for an audience of ONE, and endeavor to help my congregation worship that audience of ONE. I can only pray for ministers of music that emphasize one particular style, and not let them forget the hymnology that has meant so much to so many people over the years. Ronnie Johnston ____________________________________________________________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Download free music by Clay Baker at: http://www.frogmusic.com/JoyfulPostlude.html To unsubscribe or set to vacation, go to www.frogmusic.com/rodgersmem.html If you have any difficulty with this or PayPal, please contact noeljones@xxxxxxxxxxxxx for help!