The use of music in the church will be for ministry: to God in worship, to fellow believers for enhancing worship and/or edification, and to the lost for evangelism and witness.

 FUNCTION

In the ministry of the church we primarily need good music with good words.  The words are the channel of God’s ministry.  The music, if it is properly conceived and related to the words, reinforces and makes memorable the song’s message.

Music in Scripture is associated with poetic and emotional expression of truth and experience.  Music can be greatly used of the Lord to move the emotions which, together with right thinking (good words), stirs the will to action.  Music stirs the believer to act on some truth.  Music may be used to assist in setting an emotional tone or attitude so long as the words serve the purpose and not just the music.  Hence, music serves a ministry function.

 WORSHIP

 Music is a God-given vehicle for deeper emotional expression in worship.  Most people find that the emotional aspect of praise, thanksgiving, confession of sin, and petition for pardon can be more richly expressed through a setting of words to the proper music.  Music, with its emotional and poetic dimensions, is especially appropriate for enhancing a celebration and enjoyment of God in worship.

 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC

Against the advice of some to steer clear of such taboo phrases, allow me to clarify my understanding of contemporary Christian music.  It is often criticized because so much of it is “experiential,” “shallow,” or “exhortational” in contrast with “objective” and “God-centered.”  However, the Psalms show a full range of purposes for singing in worship including praise, thanksgiving, petition, confession of sin, testimony, exhortation, consecration, self-commitment, etc.  The music in our church should be allowed to serve all of these Biblical purposes.

Other criteria, sometimes used against contemporary music, are its relative shortness and repetitiveness.  But, in this case also the Psalms show a full range of lengths and poetic devices, including repetition. Long hymns with complex theological expression are not always the most effective in ministry.  Music must be chosen on the basis of its function and effectiveness.  Contemporary music (the last 20 years) is generally shorter and simpler than traditional hymns.  However, I believe both praise and worship music, as well as our traditional music, can  both serve our ministry purpose effectively.

Certainly there is much contemporary Christian music which is inaccurate or overly vague in doctrine, or which is of very poor musical quality, that it should not be used at all.  Overbearing, driving rhythms are an example of this.   But there is also much contemporary music which can be used in the ministry of the church so long as it meets certain criteria such as: 1) it is Scripturally accurate and of good music quality, 2) it serves a Scriptural purpose of ministry, and 3) it fits the variety of cultures of the listeners.

INSTRUMENTS

The Psalms speak of many instruments used for the praise of God.  The Biblical principle is that God may and should be praised on all instruments.  This may properly include band instruments, orchestral instruments, percussion, guitars, bells, synthesizers, etc., as well as piano and organ.  Indeed, if it fits the church’s style of worship, and if members seek to use the gifts given to them, and if it can be done with proper quality, the church should involve more than a piano and organ in its worship.  Taped background music should also fit this guideline.

MUSIC DIRECTOR

The worship and music director, along with any other music leadership, has a teaching and exhorting role to help musicians learn inwardly the message they are singing or playing outwardly.  Musicians need to be taught to put themselves wholly into communicating the message and not merely “delivering” the music. Rehearsal times will sometimes reflect teaching, meditation, exhortation, and prayer as well as rehearsal of singing and playing.  Therefore, only the musician and singer who invests both quality and quantity of rehearsal time will represent the music program at our church.

COMMITMENT FOR INVOLVEMENT

There is a great opportunity here in the music ministry.  It requires a personal  commitment.  Furthermore the opportunity of personal relationships that develop between the director and/or its members create a discipling, counseling, and shepherding environment.  It is a strong fellowship community within the larger body.