I have to say that I'm interested in what Warren has to say on this subject. After all, I am a musician myself.
Warren starts by talking of the power of music to persuade. I agree to some extent, although I am not sure it has the near-mystical power he imbues it with. However, he also mentions the problems that many churches have with "Bach to Rock" in a service.
I'm not sure this is as much of a problem in Australia. One thing that the dominance of Hillsong over Christian music in Australia has done is to identify a particular sound that is more or less typical of churches. It's fairly contemporary, although we'll certainly happily adapt songs from earlier eras (but in a contemporary way).
Correctly Warren identifies the choice of your music style as important and controversial. This may well be correct, but it's a battle we fought years ago, not just as a congregation but as a Christian culture.
Nevertheless, an important aspect deserves mentioning - no style of music is right or wrong; it is the message that makes the song. There is no "Christian Music", only Christian lyrics.
Again, what Warren attacks over the next few pages is something which remains fairly rare today in Australia - the attitude that "hymns" are somehow sacred, whereas other kinds of music are not. I don't think you'll find many Christians in Australia that would object to songs on the grounds of style (although you'll find many people objecting to, for example, Hillsong music on the grounds of theological content, which is a question for another time). I don't think any Christian I know would have a problem with accepting a contemporary pop/rock sound as being culturally accessible for our local community.
Moving on to practical suggestions for music in church:
Preview all music you use.
Make sure that all music fulfils supports the purpose of the event you are using it in. Is the song of edification, worship, fellowship or evangelism? Are the lyrics doctrinally sound and understandable? How does it make me feel?
Speed up the tempo.
Lively singing is good at first (although then it can be good to move into a slower and more meditative sound). Unbelievers usually prefer celebratory music over contemplative music because they don't yet have a relationship with Christ.
Update the lyrics.
Just as the Bible needs translation from old English to contemporary English, so too many songs can be reclaimed by translating the lyrics. Remember that even contemporary songs sometimes contain Hebrew or Greek phrases which are familiar to Christians but mumbo jumbo to others (e.g. Jehovah Jireh!).
Encourage members to write new songs.
New songs are good, especially if they are home-grown.
Replace the organ with a MIDI band.
Again, more of an issue in the USA than here. Even small churches in Australia are more likely to have a guitar than an organ for most services.
Don't force unbelievers to sing.
People can be quite comfortable listening to the music. Focus on performed music in seeker services, and save times of congregational praise for believers' services.
Make your music count.
We need to be willing to set aside our personal preferences for the sake of the Gospel.
How does Sanctuary rate? Well, we're a long way ahead of what Warren is imagining as he writes to various churches. However, it's been a while since we introduced a lot of new songs; maybe it's time for us to do some writing.
No comments:
Post a Comment