I did a

survey once and discovered that the average age of the

hymns in the Baptist hymnbook is over 125 years. Friends,

the top 20 tune list is a little different today.

There's a

fresh, new spiritual renewal blowing around the world. It

may have more impact than the Reformation. It's bringing

a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It has a

heavy emphasis on prayer and praise worship. It believes

one can truly connect personally with God.

Now, the

old wineskins (the way we've always done it) must be

replaced with new ones or the old ones will burst as this

new spiritual brew is poured. I believe it's God's way of

revealing what we count most in worship: what we want or

what God wants.

Selah!

The Rev. Dr. John

Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in

Fayetteville.

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