Posts Tagged ‘Music’
Music Choices – Objective Subjectivity
Making musical choices — how do you decide what’s right and what’s wrong? The subject is full of controversy. Everyone, it seems, has an opinion, and yours is wrong because you disagree with me. (At least, that’s what I’m told.) There is a lot of confusion on the issue, to be sure. I wrote something…
Read MoreChurch Music – Old Versus New?
Recently I had a conversation with another Christian and I was “challenged” (that may be too strong a word) to select more ‘modern’ hymns for Sunday worship than the hymns I had chosen. This actually was much more of an amicable discussion than you might think, but it left me thinking: “Am I more prone…
Read MoreOverseeing Church Music without Musical Expertise
The music at our recent conference at First Baptist Church of Troy, Michigan (also see here), was one of the outstanding features of the meeting. It reflected the good gifts God gave to Pastor Harding and his wife which bless their church every week. Many others on their team who contribute to this part of…
Read MoreEvolution and Music
Some weeks ago, I posted an article called, Evolution and Marriage. The basis for that article and this is reading various histories that assume Darwinian progression in every aspect of human existence. In that article, I pointed out that if you hold a Darwinian/Materialist point of view, the notion of gay marriage is just one…
Read MoreWhat’s So Special about “Special Music?”
My experience within fundamentalism began about 26 years ago. This is when I first remember hearing the idea of “special music” in church services. That term was and is used by churches to refer to a vocal soloist or other vocal piece sung by someone other than the congregation. Rarely are instrumental songs referred to…
Read MoreCongregational Singing Is Cool Again
Chuck Phelps Congregational singing has suddenly become cool (again). Just listen to Mark Dever, who testifies that, “The effect (of congregational music) on my own soul is electrifying.” Dr. Dever counsels pastors to reduce the praise band and the organ “by 80%” so that the voices of the congregation may be heard. After all, says,…
Read MoreIs It Worship or Theatrics?
Gordon Sears [FrontLine MayJun 1994] Today the world is demanding changes, expressing an attitude that exclaims “Anything Goes!” Well, “Anything Goes!” might be acceptable in the secular world, but it is certainly not true in the Christian realm. God has given us definite guidelines in His Word so that we can know what is acceptable…
Read MoreSinging (Part 2)
George Stiekes [See here for Part 1] I will praise Thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee: I will sing praise to Thy name, O Thou most High. Psalm 9:1-2 In Part 1, it was noted that singing is…
Read MoreSinging (Part 1)
George Stiekes I will praise Thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee: I will sing praise to Thy name, O Thou most High. Psalm 9:1-2 Singing is a very vital part of worship. It is obviously part of the…
Read MoreThe Goal of a Minister of Music
Kurt Stephens Any minister of music who could master the question “What are you trying to accomplish?” would truly be successful. Having spent the past eleven years serving as Minister of Music, I can attest that the elements I contribute to my church’s services have been shaped and motivated by many factors. The first of…
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