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Hillsong Music: Can we use it?

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"...It is wise to remember that many of these songs and hymns are not written for a Catholic liturgical setting. Theological content must be a primary consideration (even if it is a really great piece of music that the kids are desperate to sing)..."
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"...Hillsong particularly has made a big difference to Australian liturgical music.  Contemporary Worship Music, a genre begun in the United States and significantly influenced by popular music and personal relationships, has become an Australian commodity..."
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In 2001, I was a freshly-minted assistant principal responsible for religious education in a large secondary school in Queensland.  I had been told that, 'our kids just  don't sing at Mass'. I was having none of that! Numerous assemblies, religious education classes and year level meetings had me marching up and down centre aisles calling out, 'I can't hear you!'  and 'One more time from the second verse!' Sister Mary Catherine would have been proud. It felt like I was building that City of God all on my own.  Clearly the kids did not sing and I was in denial. Sensing my dismay, the younger (and much hipper) music teacher suggested a different repertoire, drawing on some of the hymns used at his church.  The change was instant.  Suddenly, we were Shouting to the Lord.  I must admit that I was not always sure what we were shouting, but it was loud, it was directed at God, and my new boss was very happy. Soon, Jesus was Shining and My Soul was Knowing (something?) Very Well. Mass was joyous.

Now, over a decade and a half later the music available to frustrated assistant principals preparing young people's liturgy is exciting. Hillsong particularly has made a big difference to Australian liturgical music. Contemporary Worship Music, a genre begun in the United States and significantly influenced by popular music and personal relationships, has become an Australian commodity. The type of music Christians opposed in the 1950s has made its way into our churches and now, ironically, some Christian gatherings resemble rock concerts.

Any liturgist or educator today would be crazy to ignore such success: each new Hillsong album tops the Australian iTunes charts. Justin Bieber attended their national convention in 2015 and they have downloads that rate in the millions and are comparable to Beyonce 's sales. The reason for the success is formulaic: catchy tunes that connect the popular and the sacred. But, before you oldies complain, let's remember that the formula certainly is nothing new. Folk music did much the same thing in the 60s and 70s.

However, for some, it is not the style but the substance that is the issue. Often produced by evangelical communities  such as the Hillsong Church, the lyrics can draw on a theology where God is remote  and spirituality is individualistic.   Some songs can be great for private  prayer but less good as hymns  on Sunday. Despite  these reservations,  a total rejection  of this music is unrealistic akin to  sticking  fingers in your  ear; and  chanting Here I am Lord  while totally ignoring all the young people not coming to church. Pope Francis calls us to engage in a New Evangelisation, to be 'missionary disciples', engaged in the world (Evangelii Gaudium,  25).   If this evangelisation is truly new, then we need to be prepared to do things in new ways. That said, evangelising in its truest sense is to live what we proclaim.  Careful discernment is always required when selecting music for worship. What we sing must reflect who we are and what we believe. The task of good theology is to discover God in the present; and the best theology, the best of us, is discovered in liturgy.

It is not simply 'out with the old and in with the new'. Bono was recently interviewed on modern Christian music and he lamented that, 'The psalmist is brutally honest about the explosive joy that he's feeling and the deep sorrow or confusion...And I often think, Gosh, well, why isn't church music more like that?'  It is a timely reminder that while seeking to renew our musical repertoire, we do not discard a hymn simply because we have sung it many times before.  Hymns in this sense can be a beautiful reminder of the church universal.  A new arrangement can help us rediscover a classic. Resources like the Catholic Worship Book II invite us into the collective wisdom of many - from present, past and ancient days. Beyond being pastorally legitimate, this music can model the very best of who we can be, revealing the breadth and depth of our relationship with God and creation.

I hope that, like me back in 2001, your choices of liturgical music bring a joyous opportunity for you to include young people in liturgical celebrations.  It is wise to remember that many of these songs and hymns are not written for a Catholic liturgical setting. Theological content must be a primary consideration (even if it is a really great piece of music that the kids are desperate to sing). Ask, what are we proclaiming  as we sing this together?Some songs can be great for a solo performer, but not easily sung by the assembly (and Mass is never, ever a concert). Lyrics should be communal rather than individual and be reflective of Scripture. You do not need a large number of songs: choose one and learn it well.  Introducing too many new hymns can be distracting. The beginning and end of evangelisation is the invitation to be nourished within a Eucharistic community. We can build on our great tradition by learning something new from people who are clearly doing extraordinary things.
by James Robinson, Liturgy Brisbane

Hillsong music is registered with Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) for annual licensing Contact CCLI. . Hillsong charge $10 per song per event for copyright licensing directly from this site. 
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  • Mystery and Mission
  • Archive
    • Conversion, Healing, Penance
    • Desiderio Desideravi
    • In Search of Peace
    • Word of God Sunday
    • Living Lent >
      • Forty Lenten Ideas
      • Lent is a time to grow in the faith
      • Walking the Stations of the Cross this Lent
    • Saints and Souls >
      • Saintly Endeavours
      • Let the Dead Have November
      • Why We Pray for the Faithful Departed
    • Lay Liturgical Ministry >
      • Talents for Ministry
      • Nine Steps to Becoming a Better Lector
      • Ministers of Communion​
    • Music Matters >
      • Repertoire and Renewal
      • Liturgical Song and Evangelisation ​
      • 5 tips for effective music ministry
    • 50 Days of Easter >
      • Celebrating Easter's 50 Days
      • Aspects of the Ascension
      • Reflections for Pentecost Sunday
    • Saint Joseph >
      • Patris corde (With a Father's Heart)
      • Celebrating St Joseph in the Liturgy
      • St Joseph in Scripture
    • Christmas 2020 >
      • On the Meaning and Importance of the Nativity Scene
      • Botticelli - The Mystical Nativity
      • The Season of Christmas
    • Planning for Christmas 2020 >
      • Planning Christmas Masses 2020
      • Re-emerging With Purpose
      • Beyond Welcome: Show, Don't Tell
    • Signs and Symbols >
      • Sacramental Signs and Symbols
      • The cross reminds us of the sacrifices of the Christian life
      • Signs & Symbols: A Reflection
    • Looking Forward >
      • Solemnities on Saturdays
      • Our Family at Mass in the Age of Technology
      • Is your RCIA open all year-round? - Embracing 'Pyjama Catechesis'
    • Eucharist as Living Memory >
      • Memory is not Something Private
      • So what's wrong with a Virtual Mass?
      • The Middle of Nowhere
    • What have we learned from lockdown? >
      • Church After Coronavirus - New Understandings of Social MIssion
      • Virus and Vocation
      • Real Presence and Virtual Liturgies
    • Celebrating Holy Week in COVID times​ >
      • Coronavirus and the Eucharist
      • How to celebrate the liturgy when there is no Mass
      • Holy Week At Home
    • Solidarity and Unity >
      • Taking Communion to those who Self-Isolate
      • Peace and Solidarity
      • United to Christ We Are Never Alone
    • Preparing for Lent >
      • The Weeks of Lent in the Australian Imagination
      • How to Prepare for Lent
      • It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Lent
    • Liturgy with Children >
      • Using the Lectionary for Masses with Children
      • Praying Morning Prayer with Primary School Children
      • Directory for Masses with Children
    • Praying For Rain >
      • National Drought Prayer Campaign
      • Praying for Rain - Prayer Resources
      • A Ritual of Lament
    • Christian Initiation >
      • CATECHUMENATE - Rolling Year Round
      • Inculturating Christian Life in the Digital World
      • Tweens and Teens in the RCIA
    • Season of Creation >
      • Season of Creation September 1 - October 4
      • The Cosmic Song of 'Laudato Si'
    • Ordinary Time >
      • The Season of Ordinary Time
      • Sunday - The Original Feast
      • Luke's Gospel
    • Saints and Feasts >
      • Mary and the Saints
      • Saints and Martyrs
      • Who Are the Saints?
    • Eucharist >
      • The Centrality of the Eucharist
      • Space Matters
      • Can you drink the cup?
    • Altar Servers
    • Ministers of the Word
    • Children's Liturgy of the Word on Sundays
    • Advent Issues >
      • Advent Resources >
        • Advent
        • Music in Advent
        • Advent BOB
      • The Season of Advent
    • Liturgy Preparation
    • Communion
    • A pastoral map to baptism
    • The Role of the Deacon
    • Music Ministry
    • Reconciliation
    • Women Deacons, Music Choices and Lent
    • Data Projectors
    • The Christmas Season >
      • The Book of Blessings
      • Formation in Liturgy
    • The Year of Youth
    • Should we celebrate Australia Day?
    • Marriage
    • Easter Triduum
    • ANZAC Day
    • Funerals
    • The problem of translation
    • Advent resources for families
  • Subscribe