Image: Vince Fleming | Unsplash

It’s easy to criticize today’s worship music. Too easy.

“It’s repetitive!” “It’s too loud!” “It’s theologically shallow!” “And it’s repetitive!”

Similar criticisms have been made for every generation of new music. When harmony was brought in, when instruments were brought in, when hymnbooks were brought in… Everything we love about worship music was criticized when it was new. (Click here for a quick history of some of these criticisms.)

But every new era of worship music also brings some great developments, too. This era is no exception.

Here are some of the wonderful trends I see happening.

(This is the first of a two-part series. Click here to read my follow-up article, 4 Positive Trends That Could Make Today's Worship Music Even Better.)

1. A LOT Of Songs Are Being Written

If you don’t like the newest song your church is singing, wait a week. There will be another new one coming along. This excess of new songs is something that many in my generation (Baby Boomers and older) tend to be very critical of, but I believe it’s a positive step.

Every generation needs to write their own worship songs. And this generation is taking advantage of that opportunity.

The flood of new music may feel overwhelming and confusing to some, but the potential confusion is overwhelmed by the amazing array of choices.

More music may mean more mediocre songs, but it opens the door for more good ones too, since it acts as an encouragement to other songwriters who might not otherwise offer their gift to the church.

2. Younger Generations Have A Voice In The Church

Just as the best books tend to be written by older people, the best music tends to be written and performed by the young.

Every generation has something to contribute to the life of the church, so it’s great to see how the burgeoning worship music scene is attracting talented youth and keeping the church young, vibrant and innovative.

3. The Positive Contributions Of Women Are Being Recognized

It wasn’t long ago that worship teams were almost exclusively led by male vocalists. In fact, it was common to hear church people complain that they couldn’t worship well following a female lead vocalist.

Thankfully, that has become a non-issue in most churches.

Women are just as likely to be leading worship teams, playing instruments and writing great songs as the guys are.