When the Music Fades: Finding True Worship Again

Something’s been weighing on my heart lately, and I can’t stay quiet about it anymore. Have we lost the soul of music in our worship in today’s churches?

I get that people want the “latest and greatest” worship music to draw in new faces, but somewhere along the way, I think we’ve lost the spirituality that once came with our music.

So many of today’s worship songs sound the same. There’s no uniqueness, no depth, just a string of emotional highs and catchy rhythms. We raise our hands, shout our “woo-woos,” and look the part of being Spirit-filled… but are we really?

That’s my honest question to you:
Is it truly Spirit-led worship? Or has it become just for show?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or send me an email.

The Power of Music in Worship

Music has always been part of my soul. For me, the music is just as vital as the sermon because when the worship connects, it opens my heart to hear the Word.

At my old church, the music program was incredible. Most Sundays, you could find me up front, singing with tears streaming down my face. The sound filled every corner of the sanctuary. It was full, deep, and alive, and it stirred something within me that made me long to be in Jesus’ arms.

That music prepared my heart for the message. It softened my spirit and made me receptive to what God was saying through our pastor. Sadly, I rarely feel that anymore. I now go to two different churches because I can’t seem to find one place where the worship, message, and Spirit all align.

King David understood the power of music. His songs soothed Saul’s troubled heart and carried Israel through generations of worship. The Psalms themselves are essentially a musical prayer book full of praise, lament, and devotion.

Scriptures About Music and How it Praises God**

My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalm 57:7

For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. Nehemiah 12:46

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1

speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, Ephesians 5:19

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. Exodus 15:1

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Psalm 105:2

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:13

**These came from BibleStudyTools.com, a great resource that I highly recommend.

All or Nothing — Traditional Hymns only or Worship Music ONLY

Now that I’ve started, I might as well hit the nail squarely on the head.

I love many of today’s worship hits like Holy Forever by Chris Tomlin that touches my soul every single time. Keep on Prayin’ by Matthew West lifts me up. CeCe Winans and Anne Wilson are two of my absolute favorites.

But why does it have to be only the new music in so many churches today?

When we take history out of the church, we lose the spiritual depth that made those sacred spaces so powerful for centuries. In trying to modernize worship, we’ve essentially erased 2,000 years of musical heritage.

I once asked a pastor why their church only sang contemporary worship songs. His response?

“Young adults don’t understand the old hymns. They won’t come back if we sing them.”

I pondered that for a long time. And then it hit me. You’re selling our young adults short, and So what we’re really saying is that people over 50 aren’t part of the plan anymore.

That may not be the intention, but I can’t help but grieve that reality. You lose a huge part of your congregation, and the ones most likely to volunteer.

I’ve cried actual tears over the loss of hymns in church.

And here’s the truth: younger generations need those hymns. They are part of our spiritual DNA. They teach us theology, surrender, grace, and awe. These are lessons we can’t afford to lose, and quite frankly you are selling your young adults short telling them they’re not smart enough. They are smart, intelligent, and capable.

Amazing Grace and The Old Rugged Cross should ALWAYS be Sung at Church

These are just two that I feel like we can easily start with. How can we ever get church leaders to listen if we don’t give them a plan of action. So, I propose the following:

Start with the traditional Amazing Grace, the Old Rugged Cross, the REAL Holy, Holy, Holy, and How Great Thou Art. There’s not a person alive, aged 15, 30, or 80 that won’t feel the Holy Spirit down in their bones when they hear these old hymns. I promise you!

Then, sprinkle in a little Gaither and early worship songs from the 90s: Because He Lives, The King is Coming, We Have this Moment and Shout to the Lord, Shine Jesus Shine, Come Now is the Time to Worship. Mix the generations, and you’ll create a worship service that unites the body of Christ instead of dividing it.

And honestly, can you imagine How Great Thou Art played with a full modern band? It would be glorious and I’d be in tears all over again.

Break Free from the “New Norm” of Society and Find Your Spiritual Home in Music

Maybe it’s time to stop letting culture dictate how we worship and start letting the Spirit lead again.

Imagine a church where generations come together, where the young learn the power of the old hymns, and the old find joy in the new songs. That’s unity. That’s worship that reaches heaven, and that the point — to worship God.

So yes, this post is a little different from my usual ones, but I felt called to share what’s been on my heart. Music still lifts my soul. And if you want to explore more about how worship can transform your life, check out this post: Uplifting Music Can Lift Your Life and Love

Again, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you miss the old hymns too? Or do you think modern worship captures the Spirit in a new way? Let’s talk because maybe, together, we can bring back the heart of worship.

“Worship is not about the music; it’s about the heart behind the song.” — Matt Redman