I am exploring the idea of moving this Sunday's rehearsal to Sunday evening following the Sunday Night Bible Study in the Sanctuary. As you know, we had planned to rehearse in the afternoon, but our drama team will be using the Sanctuary to get ready for their presentation on Sunday night (which you should attend! It's going to be great!). We will try to begin about 6:30 p.m. or as soon as the service is over. That way, we will be able to practice with the band, which I would like to do on a weekly basis from now until the Easter Weekend. By the way, postcards are available advertising the Encountering Jesus Easter Weekend! PLEASE pick some up and give them away. I am praying that lost people and the un-churched will attend and be moved to life-changing decisions!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Church Music
For many years now there has been an on-going controversy over church music.
It’s not a problem with the content. Some may say that the new praise and worship songs lack any real content or that they’re too repetitive ( I’ve heard them called “7 and 7”, meaning 7 words sung 7 times ). However, many of these new songs are straight out of scripture, and of course many of the old familiar hymns were very repetitious (did you ever really look at the words in the chorus of "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder"?)
It's not even over biblical commands. Take a look at Colossians 3:16-17, it commands us to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. And look at Psalm 150, it tells us to praise God with all kinds of instruments. And then Psalm 96:1 we’re commanded to sing a new song.
Why is this such an issue ?
For one thing, it's a disagreement over what’s familiar versus what’s unfamiliar. The old hymns take us back to the way it used to be. They may have been what introduced some of us to the Lord ! When we sing them we're reminded of that great experience. Familiar things give us a sense of security. It's kind of like going through the same routine during the holidays. "It just doesn't feel like Christmas if we don't have dinner at Grandma's."
It's a controversy over the beat of the music. Most hymns had a certain rhythm to them that we identified with church. Most contemporary music has a beat that we identify with secular music. It just doesn't sound sacred!
Martin Luther had this same problem when he set his poem, "A Mighty Fortress" to a tune from a saloon, yet today people say, "I love those stately hymns like 'A Mighty Fortress.' " To Luther's disturbed contemporaries, however, it was like our generation singing scripture to the tune of "Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall."
It's a problem with volume. For some, the new music is so amplified it's distracting. Even though the Bible says we should "praise him with the clash of cymbals; praise him with resounding cymbals," it couldn't have meant that loud!
It's a controversy over the instruments that are used. Each culture and generation deems certain musical instruments as sacred and others as secular. Since the piano was originally used in bars and saloons, some churches had difficulty using it instead of or along with the organ. I remember people being unhappy the first time a guitar was used in a service. It just wasn’t right! Some were ( or are ) disturbed to hear drums. Others hate the electronic keyboards or can't believe that a electric bass could ever be worshipful. But the Bible says, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."
Be flexible:
If you're bothered by the style of worship music, think about this:
1. Remember, that what reaches you isn't necessarily what reaches others. There are different tastes in food, and there are different tastes in music.
2. Don't demand that the entire worship service be for you, because maybe someone else is being reached by the music that you don't like.
3. Don't spread discontent to others. The Bible may not have much to say about music styles, but it has plenty to say about church unity!
4. Participate in worship even if the musical style isn't your favorite. If visitors see you scowling or shaking your head, ridiculing or pouting, they'll conclude, "This isn't for me." But if they see a united congregation singing with joy and enthusiasm, they might be impressed and convicted.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:16-17).
It’s not a problem with the content. Some may say that the new praise and worship songs lack any real content or that they’re too repetitive ( I’ve heard them called “7 and 7”, meaning 7 words sung 7 times ). However, many of these new songs are straight out of scripture, and of course many of the old familiar hymns were very repetitious (did you ever really look at the words in the chorus of "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder"?)
It's not even over biblical commands. Take a look at Colossians 3:16-17, it commands us to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. And look at Psalm 150, it tells us to praise God with all kinds of instruments. And then Psalm 96:1 we’re commanded to sing a new song.
Why is this such an issue ?
For one thing, it's a disagreement over what’s familiar versus what’s unfamiliar. The old hymns take us back to the way it used to be. They may have been what introduced some of us to the Lord ! When we sing them we're reminded of that great experience. Familiar things give us a sense of security. It's kind of like going through the same routine during the holidays. "It just doesn't feel like Christmas if we don't have dinner at Grandma's."
It's a controversy over the beat of the music. Most hymns had a certain rhythm to them that we identified with church. Most contemporary music has a beat that we identify with secular music. It just doesn't sound sacred!
Martin Luther had this same problem when he set his poem, "A Mighty Fortress" to a tune from a saloon, yet today people say, "I love those stately hymns like 'A Mighty Fortress.' " To Luther's disturbed contemporaries, however, it was like our generation singing scripture to the tune of "Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall."
It's a problem with volume. For some, the new music is so amplified it's distracting. Even though the Bible says we should "praise him with the clash of cymbals; praise him with resounding cymbals," it couldn't have meant that loud!
It's a controversy over the instruments that are used. Each culture and generation deems certain musical instruments as sacred and others as secular. Since the piano was originally used in bars and saloons, some churches had difficulty using it instead of or along with the organ. I remember people being unhappy the first time a guitar was used in a service. It just wasn’t right! Some were ( or are ) disturbed to hear drums. Others hate the electronic keyboards or can't believe that a electric bass could ever be worshipful. But the Bible says, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."
Be flexible:
If you're bothered by the style of worship music, think about this:
1. Remember, that what reaches you isn't necessarily what reaches others. There are different tastes in food, and there are different tastes in music.
2. Don't demand that the entire worship service be for you, because maybe someone else is being reached by the music that you don't like.
3. Don't spread discontent to others. The Bible may not have much to say about music styles, but it has plenty to say about church unity!
4. Participate in worship even if the musical style isn't your favorite. If visitors see you scowling or shaking your head, ridiculing or pouting, they'll conclude, "This isn't for me." But if they see a united congregation singing with joy and enthusiasm, they might be impressed and convicted.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:16-17).
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