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theme: Musical Style, Great Hymns, History
This is a truncated online version of what the EFCA used to help describe a healthy church providing tools for self-evaluation , measuring their effectiveness in executing their mission. Most applicable to this blog is the section called "Spirit-filled Worship" originally called "High-Impact Worship".
http://go.efca.org/resources/document/ten-leading-indicators-healthy-church
an excerpt by St. Augustine from his spiritual Autobiography, "The Confessions"
an excerpt by St. Augustine from his spiritual Autobiography, "The Confessions"
The delights of the ear had more firmly entangled and subdued me; but Thou didst loosen and free me. Now, in those melodies which Thy words breathe soul into, when sung with a sweet and attuned voice, I do a little repose; yet not so as to be held thereby, but that I can disengage myself when I will. But with the words which are their life and whereby they find admission into me, themselves seek in my affections a place of some estimation, and I can scarcely assign them one suitable. For at one time I seem to myself to give them more honour than is seemly, feeling our minds to be more holily and fervently raised unto a flame of devotion, by the holy words themselves when thus sung, than when not; and that the several affections of our spirit, by a sweet variety, have their own proper measures in the voice and singing, by some hidden correspondence wherewith they are stirred up. But this contentment of the flesh, to which the soul must not be given over to be enervated, doth oft beguile me, the sense not so waiting upon reason as patiently to follow her; but having been admitted merely for her sake, it strives even to run before her, and lead her. Thus in these things I unawares sin, but afterwards am aware of it.
At other times, shunning over-anxiously this very deception, I err in too great strictness; and sometimes to that degree, as to wish the whole melody of sweet music which is used to David's Psalter, banished from my ears, and the Church's too; and that mode seems to me safer, which I remember to have been often told me of Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, who made the reader of the psalm utter it with so slight inflection of voice, that it was nearer speaking than singing. Yet again, when I remember the tears I shed at the Psalmody of Thy Church, in the beginning of my recovered faith; and how at this time I am moved, not with the singing, but with the things sung, when they are sung with a clear voice and modulation most suitable, I acknowledge the great use of this institution. Thus I fluctuate between peril of pleasure and approved wholesomeness; inclined the rather (though not as pronouncing an irrevocable opinion) to approve of the usage of singing in the church; that so by the delight of the ears the weaker minds may rise to the feeling of devotion. Yet when it befalls me to be more moved with the voice than the words sung, I confess to have sinned penally, and then had rather not hear music. See now my state; weep with me, and weep for me, ye, whoso regulate your feelings within, as that good action ensues. For you who do not act, these things touch not you. But Thou, O Lord my God, hearken; behold, and see, and have mercy and heal me, Thou, in whose presence I have become a problem to myself; and that is my infirmity.
excerpt copied from Christian Classics Ethereal Library
Definition of "A Hymn" according to St. Augustine
"Song with praise of God: If you praise God and do not sing, you do not utter a hymn. If you sing and do not praise God, you do not utter a hymn. If you praise anything other than God, and if you sing these praises, still you do not utter a hymn. A hymn therefore has three things: song, and praise, and God."
excerpt from Martin Gerbert, De Cantus et Musica Sacra, I (St. Blasien, 1774), 74. Trans.R.T.
Should we give people what they want or what they need?
We borrowed much of the verbiage from a document from Sovereign Grace Ministries but this is how it turned out and what we post on the church website to help explain and teach about the audio sound levels for our services.
by Matt Boswell
"To make hymn-style and chorus-style songs enemies is not wise. The Psalms are filled with many formats of songs that are to be sung. From simple refrains to antiphonal responses, from songs of lament to hymns of remembrance, our hymnal is vast. We must conclude that western worship is one way of orthodox singing, but in no way can we impose on varied cultures around the globe that this is the only way. The modern hymn and the praise chorus are close friends, especially in many churches where the music encompasses both variants of music."
A great a practical article on introducing new music in corporate worship by worship pastor friend Dan Leverence. I concur with many of the observations Dan points out in this article.
"There’s a recurring debate amongst worship leaders, lead pastors, band members, church leadership, and congregations at large—should we sing familiar worship songs that our people know or new songs? I think any seasoned worship leader will know that the answer is, “Yes.” Both. Yet in many places, a debate still persists and this is evidence that many churches haven’t yet achieved a balance that helps their attendees connect meaningfully with God in worship..."
Worship Matters; part 3
What do I "practice" vs. What do I "model"?
Tonight's study came from a book by Bob Kauflin called "Worship Matters".
EDDIE: You keep hitting a B Natural. It's a B flat!!! The B flat is written, so play it! I can't worship when the notes are wrong all the time.
MARY: But I don't read music, I just have to feel it, you know, once I am in the moment, it will be there. The Holy Spirit will be there for me. I'll be prayin'...
EDDIE: But you never feel it. I'm tellin' ya', just play the B flat!
MARY: You need to relax. I think you are taking this way too seriously.
EDDIE: I don't think you are taking this seriously enough.
So what is your take on Eddie and Mary? Mary is unprepared making repeated and noticeable mistakes but wants the Holy Spirit to shine through her. Eddie values practice and right pitches but is harsh (with a vengeance) in delivering his point to Mary.
So, we need to do a good job with the tasks that are put before us and at the same time we must model Christ in what we do so that people see Him rather than us. This is easy to say...easy to type...but... if only Judy would stop singing the wrong notes in my ear... :)
Let us "set an example to the congregation in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity..." (I Tim. 4:12) and at the same time, lets perform our ministries with "undistracting excellence" (J. Piper) by fulfilling the ministry God has laid before us via proper preparation and execution.
Good stuff. Big responsibility.
Blessings,
Worship Matters; part 4
Rooted vs. Relevant
Tonight's study came from a book by Bob Kauflin called "Worship Matters".
We had a great rehearsal last night. Between vocal and instrumental practice we had another devotional where we discussed the importance for being both rooted in our Christian heritage and relevant to our present culture as we gather together in our corporate worship. How difficult, to be both rooted and relevant, seemingly in tension. But yet how important it is that we capture the benefits of the healthy and edifying traditions of our Christian forefathers as well as keep fresh and alive relating to our culture so we do not spiritually stagnate in our practices.
2 quotes from the book, "Worship Matters", (by Bob Kauflin) I used to give impetus to our discussion:
1) “When we decide what form our Sunday meeting will take, we aren’t starting in a historical vacuum…The hymns that we sing today have been tested for centuries, causing the best to rise to the top.” (189-190)
2) “In every age the church must fight the tendency to grow mechanical in its worship as the Spirit-inspired practices of previous generations become the dead, unexamined practices of the next.” (191)
Looking forward to Sunday worship with you all,
Corb
PS. Turning to the function of music in church services, we looked at Colossians 3:16-17 and how we are instructed to teach one another with “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”. I shared a very influential article in my own life, written by John MacArthur called “With Hearts and Minds and Voices”. I’ll link it for you here in case you are interested in reading it. <http://www.bible-researcher.com/macarthur1.html>
Worship Matters; part 5
corporate worship and private worship
Tonight's study came from a book by Bob Kauflin called "Worship Matters".
the worship team discussed the aspect of corporate worship and private worship...the big event vs. the every day discipline of worshiping the Lord. What are the implications of each?...We asked the question, "Does our worship ever stop?" Or maybe better, "SHOULD our worship of God ever stop?" :) Both have their place and perpetuate one another forming, what should be, a never ending cycle of practice in our lives.
Romans 12:1 "...offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship." NIV NKJ says "...which is your reasonable service".
Many of you may remember this video that was shown in creative before I was around but I just came across it and thought it was a great reminder of what our lifestyle of worship should be. <http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/10283/A-Life-Of-Worship>
Blessings and see you Sunday for the corporate part,
Corb
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