Here are some of my observations about music in church:
Most churches divide their worship into separate times. They have a separate time for music which they call “Worship” music. There may also be anther separate presentation called "Special" music. These music performances seem to have been elevated to equal importance to other parts of the service (i.e. equal to, or better than, scripture reading, preaching or prayer).
While purporting to lead the congregation in music, it resolves to the music being presented as a performance. There are special performers, a "worship team" on the platform in front of the congregation. These are the "Stars", the "Personalities". This presentation has devolved away from being a single Worship Leader in front of a choir leading the congregants in music. Frequently the style of music is "Praise Music" exclusively, rarely, if ever using "traditional music" (i.e. hymns). Often the praise music lyrics are light on spiritual content. Some of the songs may only consist of eight or nine words. They may be oriented toward the needs of the singers as opposed to the will of God.
For some unfathomable reason praise music needs to be loud music. Most places we've been the music is too loud. It is miked up so loud the congregants can not hear themselves sing. It has become a show you watch and listen to rather than one in which to participate.
The congregants that want to escape the volume of music must either sit outside during the music time or elect to attend a separate service. This separate service is often called a "Traditional" service. In some places the “traditional” service may be held at a non traditional time, i.e. not the 11am hour. This presents the impression that "traditional" worshipers are of less value than the people who attend the "regular" service. Sometimes this separate service is a video feed where the congregants watch a big screen and are separated from the “real” service. Perhaps music in the video service the may be at a reasonable volume. This raises the question: if you're going to watch a TV why bother to leave your house to go to church? Just sit at home and find a preacher who does good preaching and watch him.
My Mother-In-Law used to say, “The Devil often gets into the Church through the choir loft.” These days he gets in through the amplifiers, the sound control booth, and the need in people to be “stars”.
