Resources - Leadership

September 2001

SWORD DEFENDING

Worship Music and Grace
 

by Rev. David Groenenboom

How is a church with a blended congregation ever supposed to answer the thorny question of which musical style is best for worship – especially when everyone has an opinion and a preference?

Do we defer to older wisdom, and reject modern “innovations”. Do we look at our children, and wonder how they relate hymns filled with Elizabethan lyrics (Thee, Thou, Thy). Do we just go contemporary and be done with it?

The Bible gives no guidance on preferred musical style. Obviously, the culture of the Bible would have had very different musical styles than our own. That the Lord chose not to enshrine one particular style above another allows for breathtaking adaptability in all cultures. Churches today have the freedom to discover and develop musical worship styles for our own culture. At the very least this means no one musical style is best for all time or “more reverent” or “worshipful” than another. The big question is “what makes it appropriate?” Here are several principles to go by:

1. Any musical style can be used as long as it assists the people to worship the living God. This is where musicians need to display a servant heart. The musicians may like the dance mix version of Nearer Still Nearer but does it actually help the people gathered worship God? Are the people able to sing along and be worshipfully engaged with the piece. If not, drop it, or use it in another context. It doesn’t mean it’s wrong, it just might not be right for God’s people in worship together.

2. The song’s lyric must have integrity with its musical style. Don’t mix fast tempo with lyrics of confession, and don’t turn a song of celebration into dirge. When singing is “contemporary” is doesn’t mean everything has to be fast and full on. Keep the musical and lyrical dynamics in balance. For example, some play “He is Exalted” with faster tempo in 4/4 timing. When this is done well, you really end up with a song of rejoicing instead of something like a waltz.

3. The worship service must have “musical integrity” as a unit. Every song is chosen for a specific purpose. What’s appropriate for a time of confession may not be appropriate for closing the service. A sermon that finishes with a pensive tone needs to be followed by something that fits that mood. Musical integrity does not mean every song in a given service should be from the one style, but that every song must serve the theme of the service as well as support and enhance the ministry of the Word. There is every reason to skilfully use rock or jazz styles, for example, where these serve the Gospel. When used for their own ends they destroy worship.

4. Whatever music style is used, it must be effective for reaching the lost. Churches need to consider all they do with a view to the one lost sheep which needs to be saved, and not the ninety nine who are safe (see Luke 15:3-7). As much as I enjoy signing Genevan Psalms with people who can do it well (generally ministers at Synod), the fact remains that very few musicians and congregations can do them well. Further, Genevan Psalms are alien to our culture and ineffective for speaking to the unchurched. It is probably true that unchurched people respond more positively to contemporary musical styles.

5. There are no “sacred” instruments. Psalm 150 speaks of a breadth of instrumentation. If we follow the guidelines above, then any mix of instruments that assists the congregation to worship well should be used. The organ is no better than guitar, drums and bass. What makes an instrument inappropriate for worship is how it is used: overbearing instruments (organs as well as drums) say more about the attitude of the musician than anything else.

6. Don’t idolise the “big players”. Remember the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44)? She gave from her heart and she gave all she had. Her offering honoured the Lord. When a small congregation gives all they have and from their heart, their worship honours the Lord as much as any tastefully produced music team from a large megachurch. Any musician/team that leads the congregation in worship that honours the Lord is doing just what they are called to do. When Christ and His glory is the focus of worship, whatever the musicians do won’t be.

These guidelines are only a suggestion, but they may be helpful as you work through bringing the best worship you can to the One who gave His best – His Son. Next time I hope to close this series by addressing the challenge, “Isn’t it just entertainment?”
 

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