ARTICLE: Churches Face Gospel Generation Gap

In many black churches now, you’re more likely to hear the choir sing from the gospel Top 40 list than sing old-time “spirituals” or traditional hymns. Ministers say there’s been a musical shift in black churches over the past two decades as contemporary gospel music with a beat (and drums, saxophones, electric guitars and keyboards) has edged out soulfully sung spirituals such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”

While church leaders welcome newer music as a fresh expression of faith that engages young people, others say it’s unthinkable that a generation is growing up not knowing songs like “Amazing Grace.” “The music of our ancestors has value, it was born out of struggle,” says James Scandrick, director of the Institute on Black Church Sacred Music and Worship at American Baptist College in Nashville, Tenn. In July the group held a national conference of church music staff and pastors concerned about preserving such music. […read more]

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