Often when a church learns a song, it’s already been recorded. So to ask them to change it then might cause some problems. But, other times, people give permission to change lyrics to a song for local use. Never hurts to ask.

would it be possible to approach the authors (or is it writers) of some of these ‘questionable’ songs and ask them to consider rewriting them?

or is that too rude? (not being a songwriter myself i don’t know the protocol on this).

but it does seem to me that if so many people have issues with one particular song that can be ‘fixed’ quite easily, why not make some suggestions?

mike

That said, I shall be deemed another “pontiff” as I do not allow our congregation to sing Lord I Lift Your Name on High without modification.

To show the Way is not an accurate statement. It could easily imply a moral atonement or that Jesus was an enlightened guru who was the pioneer of a new way. He IS the Way. I know for a fact that the author did NOT have that intent and believes in substitutionary atonement, but as I serve in a Church with a large group of people coming from Buddhism, Atheism, etc. I cannot make the assumption that they will know that the author intended it. We had changed the line to “You are the Way” but you just informed me this is illegal. Guess we’ll just have to flush it and Brewster’s version was sooo nice.

Don’t let your gender ever keep you from asking theological questions about a song you’re singing! That’s completely different from teaching and leading the church corporately. I’d express my concerns and ask the leader if there’s another way the song could be understood. If you do that humbly, which it sounds like you would, I think both of you will be helped in the process.

Its so interesting that you addressed this particular song here. We did it this past Sunday in church, and, as usual, I found myself uncomfortable with the last line. In seeking to be humble and submitted to the leadership of our worship leader, I thought of two scriptures that enabled me to sing the line without judging it: John 3:16John 3:16
[16]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but
have eternal life. (ESV)

and Luke 23:34Luke 23:34
[34]And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know
not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his
garments. (ESV)

. Perhaps its a bit of a stretch, but it was how I found the grace to let go of my discomfort in favor of submission and humility.

My question for you is this: how best would you suggest handling it when you are not the worship leader, but you’re playing on the worship team when a song like this (which you have convictions about) is on the song list? PLUS, you are a woman, the leader is a man, and you’re trying to be sensitive to the directive not to give doctrinal or theological instruction? HELP!
Christy

I think many have frankly lost perspective on the place of music in the overall life of the church. What is a wonderful gift from God to his church to honor him, has instead because the object of worship.

As for the place of popularity in worship music, I commend you to this post from Tim Challies:

http://www.challies.com/archives/002470.php

He quotes, among other things, a satire on modern worship songs, which fittingly includes the following lyrics:

Testimony Testimony
Testimony Testimony
I’ll never be the same
Holy holy worthy worthy
something something something something
That rhymes with Jesus’ name

Why does the decision to omit a popular song seem so extreme and drastic to us? Is it because we feel the pressure to mirror what is happening on the top 10 wall at our local Christian bookstore? Are our worship bands becoming top 40 bands that specialize in the “worship” genre?

Thanks for such a thoughtful response to my question!

I wanted to provide some information regarding Bob’s question above, and John’s info regarding song editing. The CCLI website indicates that this is actually contrary to the terms of the license:

–
Song Editing

The following activities are prohibited under the terms of the license agreement: altering or changing the lyrics, melody or fundamental character of any song covered under the Church Copyright License.
–

For my part, I think it’s important to remember that there’s no such thing as a “sacred song” — at least, apart from inspired Scripture itself. If a song can’t be sung with clear conscience without modification that requires breaking the law — which should affect our consciences — then it seems to be it would be better to skip the song altogether, and find others that express comparable truths comparably with no such concerns.

There have been several centuries of excellent hymns that we tend to skim over in favor of more “accessible” contemporary music. I’d highly recommend, for example, the Trinity Hymnal as a source for rich, Biblically thought through hymns. One of my favorites, “How Sweet and Awesome [Awful] Is the Place,” was discovered there and in few other modern hymnals.

Again, thanks for a great blog! Interesting that you used the song “Above All” as an example. Several people in our congregation wanted us to sing that song, but I felt just as uncomfortable with the lyrics as you. Our solution was to change the lyrics (for example, the last line now reads “and you rose again, above all”). Our understanding via CCLI is that this isn’t copyright infringement at all.

The situation seemed to provide us with a great opportunity to discuss the importance of lyrics, and seemed to help our entire congregation to a greater appreciation of God’s love.

John