Here is a video produced by a Wisconsin Lutheran High School Student giving a look into what a typical day might be like for them which uses the Koiné song, Lord Teach us How to Pray Alright.

A Review of Popular Praise and Worship Songs

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of Hope Lutheran-Aurora, CO

A front and center issue in the Lutheran Church, whether LCMS, WELS, or other synod is that of contemporary music. The rush to popular praise and worship songs needs to be tendered with pastoral and church leadership care.

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Part 1 speaks about the characteristics of Praise & Worship songs and what these songs are saying to us.

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Part 2 applies what we learned in Part 1, by previewing and analyzing the number 1 praise song, "Mighty to Save". We learn to apply the 5 questions called Praise Cruncher questions.

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Part 3 sees the analysis of another praise song. In fair disclosure, there are hymns that will not pass the Praise Cruncher test. Surprising? The year 1750 is a watershed time when hymns changed as we learn in this discussion.

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In part 4, we hear another analysis and the conclusions to be drawn about Praise and Worship Songs. We must be on guard when using this music so that we do not fall into the subjective side of these songs.

It should be evident that answering the question, “Is there any false doctrine?” is not a sufficient tool to evaluate the usefulness of a praise song. One of the tools that is helpful is called the 'Criteria for Discerning the Usefulness of a Praise Song, a.k.a. The Praise-Song Cruncher". The Praise-Song Cruncher asks 5 questions. Here they are listed for you.

1. Jesus - Is Jesus mentioned?
2. Clarity - Is the song clear? Does it use sentences with subject, verb, object?
3. Mysticism - Is the song about the things God has done (objective) or about my own emotions and experience (subjective)?
4. Law and Gospel - Does the song proclaim the law in its sternness and the Gospel in its sweetness?
5. Is there any explicit false teaching?

The Wisconsin Synod (WELS) runs a phenomenal school system that most of us are vaguely aware of and most likely do not give a second thought about. Luther Prep is one of 20+ high schools and one of two Synod run high schools. Recently Luther Prep prepared a video to give parents and potential students an idea of why Luther Prep exists and why it might be a good choice for our WELS youth.