We do in fact say things like, “Oh, that kind of music, that kind of preaching, that kind of ceremony, isn’t pleasing to God.” Now, I don’t want to sound disrespectful, but I’m not yet convinced that those of our number who argue this way have really heard a word from...
Some people might object that while the music a choir sings should, of course, be great, the congregation’s singing need not be so elevated. This profoundly disturbing attitude seems to be prevalent throughout the United States. Why do we settle for less than the best...
In the theater, the play is staged before an audience who are called theatergoers; but at the devotional address, God himself is present. In the most earnest sense, God is the critical theatergoer, who looks on to see how the lines are spoken and how they are listened...
The same breath is blown into the flute, cornet, and bagpipe, but different music is produced according to the different instruments. In the same way, the one Spirit works in us, God’s children but different results are produced, and God is glorified through them...
Wisdom is knowledge deepened by love. The wise person knows more deeply by way of love than by way of argument because the eye of the heart can see the truth of reality. Hence the wise person is one who knows and sees God shining through everything, even what seems...
The Lorica of St. Patrick (The Deer`s Cry) I arise to-day: vast might, invocation of the Trinity,— belief in a Threeness confession of Oneness meeting in the Creator… I arise to-day: might of Heaven brightness of Sun whiteness of Snow splendour of Fire speed of Light...
We shouldn’t limit ourselves to major key songs! The Psalms reveal that much of the Christian life might be spent in a minor key, and it’s time that the church became honest about this reality as well. The church needs to be able to lament together, and minor key...
To be sure, the standard choral contribution of call to worship/anthem/response is a bit tired, and certainly unworthy of the potential of the potential of those most gifted and equipped to prompt and model worship. I dare say, in most churches where choirs are not...
Make no mistake about it: the most important musical group in the church is the congregation. Worship is for all of God’s people; the New Testament doctrine of the priesthood of all believers calls for the saints to lift up their voices (whether musically gifted or...
“I will sing with the mind and also the spirit.” (I Cor. 14:15) Music engages both emotion and intellect, so directors should clearly enable their singers to sing with intelligence, expression and faith. Complex and overly challenging music could stand in the way of...