I know it’s potentially divisive, but we need to keep talking about worship music. Similar to food and art, music has a certain subjective quality to it; especially when it comes to style. Somebody likes jazz, someone else likes rap—and so on. And it’s in the car where we most often reveal our musical taste. What music plays when we push your radio pre-sets?
But we are not in the car for Sunday morning worship. We are gathering with the people of God—a very diverse group; young and old, black and white, some with an MD after their name and some just hoping for a GED some day. What an eclectic display of music if we all hauled our CD’s into the sanctuary and gave everyone their turn.
So maybe we shouldn’t choose based on taste? How should we choose, then? How about choosing music that best fits what we are about to do?
When we go to Red Robin for a burger, we expect the music loud, fun, and hip. And it is. When we go to a dress-up place for a steak where someone parks our car, we are not surprised that a piano is playing somewhere in the background. In other words, the music fits the environment. It would be weird to hear Wolfgang Mozart at Denny’s; it would be just as weird to hear Wolfman Jack spinning his “rock-n-roll” at Ruth’s Chris.
So what music best fits the worship of God? By asking that question, we may still disagree here and there but at least we’ve probably narrowed the divide. After all, we want to hallow His name, don’t we? “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire’” (Hebrews 12:28-29).
But if the template continues to be a worship service designed for me; the music will continue to reflect personal taste and not necessarily what music is best suited for the worship of God. Worship services are even labeled “contemporary” or “traditional” based upon the music played and sung. In other words, “They play my music at nine; they play yours at eleven.” But when is God’s music played? Not sure in an age of “Some Choruses, a Pep-talk, and an Offering” that question is even being asked.
Pastor Rich Hamlin January 13, 2011
Our music is an integral part of our worship at ERC. Every hymn and every psalm sung is joined by every other part of the order of worship. In the call to worship we begin the journey each Sunday. The words and the content of the songs and hymns blend with the law being recited. We get on our knees with the songs and God’s word on our hearts, as we confess our sins to God. More worship flows with the catechism or the creeds, then the prayer of our petitions. The OT and NT scripture is read, then the worship by means of preaching of God’s Word is continued. Another hymn with context relating to the sermon completes the sermon. Then a prayer as we approach the glorious Table of our Lord in communion. Then the doxology and a blessing through you from God. Followed by fellowship of believers. I don’t ever want to miss a Sunday! May God be glorified!