Most Churches Aren’t Engaged in a Worship War over Music

A new study by LifeWay Research reveals that most churches no longer bicker over music.

“The distance between what used to be traditional and contemporary are much closer than what they were 20 years ago,” Mike Harland, director of LifeWay Worship said. “Disagreement has begun to wain in most churches, and what a wonderful thing that is.”

Out of 1,000 Protestant pastors surveyed, only 15% said that their biggest challenge to navigate is music preference. A previous LifeWay Research study also showed that only 5% of churchgoers would leave their church should the music style change. A doctrinal shift—for 54% of them—would be a far more important reason to leave.

The piano remains the most played instrument for 4 in 5 churches, and hymnals have not become as unpopular as believed with 69% of churches still using them.

There’s a divide between the old and new with 47% of churches using an organ while 46% use a praise band. But, African American pastors (48%) are more likely to include songs that only feature a choir.

Differences lie between a church size and denomination, as well. Churches with 250 or more in attendance use a rhythm section or praise band music (75%).

Pentecostal churches also are more likely to use a praise team or band music (73%) while Lutheran pastors indicated they more regularly use organ music (88%).

Even the location dictates music…