Arkansas Methodist Church Choir Performs Pop Song During Worship Service

The choir at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas, performed a choral arrangement of the 1999 Backstreet Boys hit "I Want It That Way" during their October 11, 2026, worship service. The performance was part of an ongoing sermon series focused on generational distinctions and fostering empathy across different age groups within the congregation.

Rev. Virginia Brown introduced the song as a "millennial nostalgia" piece, while senior pastor Rev. Jennie Williams stated that the musical choice was intended to make the church more relatable. Williams explained that the effort aimed to bridge generational divides rather than emphasize them. Following the circulation of the performance on social media, the church faced criticism from some observers who questioned the appropriateness of incorporating secular pop music into a formal worship setting. In response to these concerns, Williams defended the choice by referencing the example of Jesus in connecting with people through relatable means.