I want to spend some time here on the blog talking about music. Specifically about music in the church. I’ve grown a bit weary of the subject outside of this forum, yet I feel like there are a lot of things I’d like to share on the subject and even more I’d like to learn.
In the past, I’ve talked some about singing and about the words to our songs. I want to delve into that a bit more. I also want to take a bit of time with the instrumental music question, minefield though it may be. I want to share some likes and dislikes. And I’d like to offer some suggestions.
But first off, I’d like to get some direction from you. What are some of the passages that you’ve found especially helpful when examining the church and her music? What are some basic principles that you feel need to be kept in mind? I don’t know that I can get to them in the days, but what are some resources that you would suggest?
Thanks for the help!
Which noose would you like to hang yourself in? :)
Seriously though, I presume that any conversation about church and music is also a conversation about church and worship. Therefore, I think the catalogue of Psalms might shed some light on the subject.
Grace and Peace,
Rex
I’m pretty tickled to see that there’s a session at Pepperdine this spring on the concept of reinvigorating the a cappella tradition. It desperately needs richer songs that aren’t just slap-dash rearrangements of CCM tunes to trickle down to the congregational level.
Rex,
As I wrote this morning, I was thinking about that very fact. I probably will have to veer off into a discussion of worship.
I think that’s become a tradition at Pepperdine. They have held several conferences emphasizing a cappella music (not just within CofC fellowship)
Tim:
I appreciate greatly your spending time with the subject of “The Church and Her Music.” As one voice I am convinced that a cappella only gets at part of what Paul said. We can miss an important message in Ephesians 5:18ff. when we focus on the subject of song. He is urging Christians to sing Scripture! We would do well to add Hebrew Psalms to our congregational song together. I look forward to hearing the input of others.
In Christ,
Bruce Morton
Katy, Texas
Tim, as a song leader for many years now, I love this topic. I’ll offer a few thoughts. Bruce, good point about singing psalms. I’ve made it a point to lead from the Psalms on a regular basis, but I don’t know of many others who do. After all, that’s what Paul instructed, right? But here’s a question I’ve pondered: isn’t it a bit ironic that we are to sing psalms a cappella when so many of them have passages concerning playing the trumpet or striking the harp? Nick and others have commented on the actual songs we sing and a need to update them to current times or references. I think that’s the role of a song leader to pick the best songs available, and the role of all members to bring new songs into the congregation. I’ve tried to pen a tune or two and, so far, that’s not a talent I’ve had much success at developing. On a different note…. (groan)… is the attitude and enthusiasm we have for singing. Some people just don’t care much for singing, which is unfortunate, considering its importance in worship and edification. Similarly, I’m afraid that like in many of our acts of worship, singing has had its life stripped from it in our attempts at offering non-chaotic worship. I was at a congregation once where several of us met at the front of the building about 20-30 minutes before services to learn new songs. My thought was (and is) that it’s pretty cool to enter a church building and be met by the sound of sacred songs. However, not everyone felt the same way and we were asked to stop so that the singing could take place at the appropriate time. Huh? Look forward to the discussion.