Your hymnal has several different styles of hymns, gospel songs, and spirituals. Newer hymnals also have contemporary and praise songs. Why do we have so many different styles of songs? The answer is to be found in the relationship between songs and religious movements. Thesisb: Every time religious people experience a new religious movement we also experience the birth of a new musical style of singing.
Let us briefly connect the history of movements with song styles. The genesis of the Protestant Reformation movement in Germany gave birth to the modern hymn. The reformation movement in Switzerland gave birth to the modem psalm.
Many of our song styles were born in England. The rise of Dissenter churches in England gave birth to the classic gospel song. The dawn of the Sunday School movement gave birth to the evangelistic gospel song. The spiritual awakening in the Anglican movement gave birth to the modern British hymn.
Our American religious experiences have also contributed to the hymn styles that we include in modern hymnals. The nineteenth century evangelistic revival movement gave birth to invitation songs. The singing convention movement in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century gave birth to the Southern spiritual (Stamps-Baxter style songs). In our age, we have seen the dawn of the modern youth movement. Youth ministries, youth camps, and regional youth meetings. This youth movement has given birth to a new generation of contemporary songs. Some of these songs have become a part of our standard hymnal repertory.
When you see the connection between religious movements and songs, you can then begin to understand the newest trend in Christian songs--the rise of "Praise and Worship" songs, or praise hymns. This new style of song mirrors recent trends in the church in
the 1990's. In earlier times we assumed that people respected God, but we felt they primarily needed to be admonished about God's message for Christian living. So, 70% of our hymns focused on admonition and only 30% focused on praise. Times have changed. We can no longer assume that there is an adequate respect for the Lord in the land. People sense a greater
need for more focus on praise. Since most hymnals are deficient on praise songs, a new praise movement has been born. New styles of praise are becoming popular. We welcome the new trend toward praise and worship.
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