We're baby boomers living in Grimes and are interested in finding an evangelical type church in Grimes, Johnston, WDM, Urbandale, areas. We miss the traditional hymnal & Bill Graham Crusade type of music that we used to sing during Sunday morning worship.
We desperately miss hearing on Easter Sunday, the Hallelujah chorus, He is Risen, The Old Rugged Cross, The Holy City, etc., and miss the traditional Christmas music, also. I've heard this complaint from dozens of baby boomers who are sick & tired of hearing rock or contemporary music. We hate singing words only from a big screen that no one knows or can carry a tune to.
We've stopped going to church regularly because of the awful music. It used to be that many people got as much out of the music as they did the sermon. It was so nice to have music you knew the words to and that made you feel closer to God. We took my elderly mother-in-law to Easter services and were shocked & blasted out of our seats with loud, invasive Christian rock music. Communions used to be quiet times of conversing quietly with God - now we can't even hear God over the loud, upbeat music. I rarely ever see people bow their heads in quiet prayer during a song or during Communion.
Some churches have "special" early services but why don't some churches having this type of music during regular & late services? Baby boomers (and elderly) make up the largest percentage of the population, especially in Iowa.
I see many young people not singing, also. If a non-church person decides to visit some Sunday, they have no clue as to what the tune is on most of the songs, so they don't sing. This makes them really feel like outsiders. At least with hymnals or well known church music, outsiders could sing along and enjoy the music with everyone else and not feel left out. It's no wonder church attendance is so low these days.
Does anyone know of an evangelical type church that primarily sings Billy Graham Crusade type music (His Eye is On the Sparrow, etc.) and/or traditional (but often upbeat) hymns, as part of their regular morning worship services. Our time is stretched very thin so I'm not interested in special choirs, occasional traditional evening services, very early morning services, small group singing get togethers, etc. I'm looking for a church where this type of singing is their primary means of music (occasional Christian contemporary or rock is O.K.). Are there any churches like this left, and if so, where are they?
Thanks for your help.
I know Lutherans aren't often considered very "evangelical," but they do often sing those kinds of traditional hymns and often have a variety of different kinds of church services. AND there are a LOT of Lutheran churches in Iowa (it's where my husband went to seminary)....you might give a few a try to see if they fit what you are looking for.
Our church (non-denominational) does a nice mix of older hymns and SOME newer songs. But I've never felt that it was over the top. However, our church is still smaller than a lot. About 100 to 175 people each Sunday. I like having a smaller church where you can get to know people.
I suggest you just keep trying new churches till you find the one that fits you! The right one IS out there. But you won't find it by boycotting all churches!
http://www.sovgracechurch.org/welcome
You might try this one. I am not sure, but I think WDM might mean West Des Moines. This is in Des Moines, but I don't know the geography of IA at all. They say they sing Psalms and Hymns and are a traditional service.
Hope this helps!
I wonder if you and the other 'dozens of Baby Boomers' could get together and discuss your feelings with the pastor of your church? Maybe if you got involved in some way with their music department you could make some changes....
