(Caveat: If you don’t want to read me or anyone else stating that they don’t like a song you do, then stop reading. And remember this is all in fun.)

I don’t miss much from my youth ministry days. When I transitioned in the pulpit it was time. However, I still miss the worship times with teenagers. I don’t experience worship very often like young hearts coming with their passion and recognition of their humanity into the throne room.

With that said there are some more contemporary songs that drive me up the wall. Alas, I’m in a traditional worship setting so there isn’t much of an incursion of new songs into my weekly worship experience. Therefore, my list will exist of ones that are a little more established but still have debuted among us in my lifetime.

First, two honorable mentions:

Honorable Mention 1–Humble Yourself: First off, I love this song. It’s one of my favorites because I view humility as such an intrinsic quality of a disciple. But in our songbook the last verse is “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun.” What? When what? If you are going to incorporate Amazing Grace into this song then at least have the decency to finish the stinking line.

Honorable Mention 2–Lord, I Lift Your Name On High: Another song I really like. I can do without the hand motions though. Do we really need to simulate digging a grave to get the point across?

Now the List:

10. Awesome God–I’m a huge Rich Mullins fan. I cried when we lost him so young. And singing the chorus is great. But you cannot tell me that the verses to this song were even intended to be sung in an a capella context. It just sounds bad.

9. There’s Something About That Name–Oh yeah? What might that be? A second verse of exposition might be in order here.

8. Victory Chant–I’ve sang this song for years, even led it on many occasions. But I’ve never liked it. What exactly are we conquering in His name here? Just curious.

7. Marvelous Things–Maybe, I’m jaded by first hearing this song by a singing group with the member who sang like Elmer Fudd. But, ultimately, songs that have each part singing different words can be beautiful. But not this time.

6. Celebrate Jesus–Yikes!

5. Blue Skies and Rainbows–Maybe it’s because I sang it at every age-specific event from the time I was 2 until I reached the age of 30, but I am so beyond sick of this song. And now my kids are learning it. Please, make it stop.

4. People Need The Lord–Yes, they do. But do we really need this song?

3. Glorify Thy Name–The fact that this song takes 15 minutes to sing essentially 6 words drives me bananas. Could we just reduce it down to one verse and “Godhead we love You?”

2. Get Right, Church–Is there truly any redeeming value to this song? The basic point is “I’m outta here first chance I get. Hope you can shape up in time to join me.”

1. Said I Wasn’t–Then don’t.

Again, all in fun. What songs would make your list