On Music

Over the years and through many moves, we've attended churches that have both a traditional and a contemporary service.  Although our music preference has changed from church to church, the service's music is an important consideration in deciding which service to attend.

When we lived in North Carolina, we regularly attended an evening service at a local Presbyterian Church, not our home church.  For the music at this service, the pastor took members' requests, and all the kids would raise their hands wanting to sing their favorite hymns!  There was a 5-year-old boy who always requested Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted.  

My family was blessed and moved by this singing to such an extent that we incorporated hymn singing into our nightly devotions.  One of my sons recently remembered how that church was where we first enjoyed singing hymns.  

There's something about singing God's Word and truth that gladdens the heart.  Singing gives praise and thanks to God, but it's also a nourishing, an encouraging, and a faith building practice.

Some of our family favorites include:  

• Rock of Ages
• Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
• Be Thou My Vision
• Lift High the Cross
• Jesus Shall Reign
• And Can It Be
• Thy Strong Word
• Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word

The music we listen to and the songs we sing make a difference in our lives and influence us to a degree that most people don't even realize.  Music sticks with a person.  Think of a favorite sitcom from the 60s or 70s, and I bet you can recall the theme song! 

That being said, here are my random thoughts on church music.

1.  Worshipers really do want to sing and participate.  People are uncomfortable when they're unable to sing the songs during a service. 

2.  Some people just love organ music, and some people want a service with upbeat music.  I think the instruments should be a secondary consideration, as neither the organ nor the guitar/keyboard stands alone to make a good singing experience.

3.  Some traditional hymns are played too slowly, too fast, or the organ is too loud.  Worshipers should be able to hear the singing along with the music.

4.  Contemporary music is sometimes too loud, or the song choices are difficult to sing.  Many contemporary Christians songs are meant to be performed, not sung in corporate worship.  

5.  But there are many singable contemporary songs that are rich in meaning.  

6.  Likewise, there are some traditional hymns that are difficult to sing.

7.  Familiarity and repetition are good!  Songs are learned that way, and they get into our very being when we learn them and sing them again and again.

But above all these thoughts - the songs should convey the gospel message, that Jesus, that our God, came in the flesh, lived among us, and died for the forgiveness of our sins and for our salvation.  That's the substance of our faith that we need to hear, to sing, and to know.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  Colossians 3:16