The War Department: Hymns, Choruses, and the Worship Wars of the Modern Church

Open Hymnal

When I worship in my Anglican church, I expect "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" or "Ah, Holy Jesus."

• There is no way I will hear, "There is Power in the Name of Jesus to Break every Chain" or "My God is an Awesome God."

• My Anglican Bible study teacher went to the Vineyard where he can play his guitar.

• I myself left the Pentecost church for the reverence and comfort of Anglicanism>

Is there a bridge? Share your thoughts in the comments space.

Wednesday Feature

Every church has a “War Department.”You won't find it in the budget, but you will hear it in the pews.

The moment a pastor announces, “And now let’s stand and sing,” the battle lines form. Half the congregation reaches for their beloved hymnal…the other half hopes the worship band turns up the volume.

Welcome to the longest-running conflict in church history: The Hymns vs. Choruses War no smoke, no artillery — just organs, guitars, and very strong opinions about what the angels in heaven probably prefer.

But beneath the humor lies a real and pastoral question: What kind of music actually builds up the Body of Christ?

A Humorous Anecdote to Set the Stage: Hymns vs Songs

It happened during what should have been a perfectly ordinary Sunday service.

Mrs. Thompson, age 83, who had sung “Rock of Ages” since President Truman, leaned over to her husband and whispered (loud enough for the back two rows):“That guitar is too loud. I think it shook the Holy Spirit right out of me.”

Two pews behind her, a college student named Ethan said to his friend:“Bro, if they play one more hymn from the 1800s, I’m going to be with the Lord.”

And the poor music director — one hand resting on the organ, the other hovering over the electric keyboard — realized he was standing in the spiritual equivalent of the demilitarized zone.

That’s the War Department in a nutshell. Not malice.Not rebellion.Just generations who love Jesus deeply… and who sincerely believe heaven sounds exactly like their favorite era of music.

Why the Tension Exists

1. Hymns Carry Theology

Traditional hymns were often written by theologians, pastors, and Scripture-saturated believers. They teach doctrine line by line:

• “A mighty fortress is our God.”

• “Great is Thy faithfulness.”

• “When I survey the wondrous cross.”

  
  

They carry weight, gravity, and anchoring power.

2. Modern Worship Emphasizes Devotion

Contemporary Christian music speaks the emotional language of today:

• Simpler melodies

• Repetitive choruses

• Intimacy and personal encounter

• 
  

Repetition is not a flaw. The psalmist repeats himself constantly:

“His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 136 — repeated 26 times)

Sometimes repetition is worship.1

3. Different Generations, Different Formations

Older saints were raised on hymnals, pipe organs, SATB harmony, and the stately rhythm of the King James.

Younger believers grew up with worship bands, earbuds, and Spotify playlists.

It’s not truth versus error.It’s spiritual memory versus spiritual immediacy.

The Real Issue: Not Music, But Maturity

Paul wrote:

“Let all things be done unto edifying.”—1 Corinthians 14:26

The real question is NOT: “What music do I prefer?” but“What music builds up Christ’s Church?”

A mature believer can worship through either, because worship is aimed at Jesus —not at one’s own comfort zone.

What Each Side Needs to Hear

To the Hymn Lovers

Modern worship songs are not the enemy. Many are biblically faithful and evangelistically fruitful. Young believers are coming to Christ through them every week.

To the Modern Worship Crowd

You didn’t invent worship last Tuesday. Your faith has deep roots. Hymns anchor us in the great cloud of witnesses who sang before us.

To Both

The church is not a concert hall. It is the family of God. And families learn to sing together.

What a Healthy Church Does

A wise congregation refuses to choose one side of the war. It lays down arms and embraces the whole inheritance:

• Hymns for truth

• Choruses for devotion

• Psalms for balance

• Silence for reverence

  
  

A blended worship diet forms well-fed Christians.

A Final Word: Worship Is Warfare

Once God’s people stop fighting one another about music, they are free to fight the real enemy.

Satan would love nothing more than a divided church wasting spiritual energy on style wars.

But Scripture reminds us:

“The LORD is my strength and my song.”—Psalm 118:14

When Jesus becomes the center —not the organ, not the guitar —the War Department quietly

closes for lack of business.

And the Church finds its song again.

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I WILL SING THE WONDROUS STORY

I will sing the wondrous story

Of the Christ Who died for me.

How He left His home in glory

For the cross of Calvary.

Refrain

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story

Of the Christ Who died for me,

Sing it with the saints in glory,

Gathered by the crystal sea.

I was lost, but Jesus found me,

Found the sheep that went astray,

Threw His loving arms around me,

Drew me back into His way. Refrain

I was bruised, but Jesus healed me,

Faint was I from many a fall,

Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,

But He freed me from them all. Refrain

Days of darkness still come o’er me,

Sorrow’s path I often tread,

But His presence still is with me;

By His guiding hand I’m led. Refrain

He will keep me till the river

Rolls its waters at my feet;

Then He’ll bear me safely over,

Where the loved ones I shall meet. Refrain

Francis H. Rowley, 1886.

For the Son of man is come to seek

and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10