Phillip Percival writes
Lack of understanding of the place of music in church
The New Testament paints a picture of church in which we see a mutual exercising of our gifts to build one another up into Christ. And heading those lists of gifts are the word ministries, by which Jesus places himself at the centre of his people. When Paul talks about singing, he also talks about it as a word ministry (Col 3:16). Singing is fundamentally a ministry of God's word to us " but one in which we participate in order to build up our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
Traditionally, the church has used music in a semi-mystic sort of way, as a sacrificial worship offering or in a way to help us feel his blessing and presence. Historically, evangelicals have been better at using singing to engage directly with Jesus and to respond to what he has done " but still tend to envelop it in worship language, which brings with it a natural tendency to see singing as a work, rather than as a free expression of response to the gospel.
This fundamental problem leads to the following:
Fear of emotional expression
Rather than leading the way with good practice of music in the church, recent conservative evangelicals have tended to react against the problems they see in others. Contemporary congregational music has seen a massive revival over the past 20 years, led mostly by charismatic churches. And for whatever reasons, evangelicals have been
both slow to contribute new music " and quick to condemn any outward sign of emotional expression, for fear of appearing "charismatic'.
When we suppress emotion in church we train ourselves to lack excitement in the rest of our Christian lives. Paul, in Col 3:17, actually suggests that singing "heartfully' to God is a way of training us to express gratitude in everything we do. Singing is the obvious place to show authentic and appropriate emotion in response to the gospel of grace " and it is this same response of gratitude that should mark the whole of our lives as his servants.
Undiscerning choice of songs
Related to the previous issues is the problem of how to develop a contemporary, biblical music ministry when all we have is the music and practices of other church traditions. Many who want to be contemporary in church practice, have no alternative other than to borrow the songs and practices of large Pentecostal churches. In doing so, we may import some emotion (although not always gospel-provoked emotion), but we also import theology of "works salvation' and of "the self'.
Much of the new song writing in the Christian world will lean towards the theme of "what can I do for you God', rather than "what God has done for me' (the consistent theme found in the songs in scripture). We need to be more vigilant in seeking out and writing material that is both true to the Scriptures (announcing God's faithfulness and acts of salvation), and reflecting the idea that song is God's gift to his church to soak up the word of Christ, and to respond authentically and emotionally to that word.
3 songs that address the big issues
1. Jesus, Thank You - Pat Sczebel
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You, the perfect Holy One crushed your Son
Drank the bitter cup reserved for me
Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank you
The Father's wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank you
Once your enemy, now seated at your table
Jesus, thank you
Pat Sczebel's simple and beautiful song, follows the consistent pattern we see in the biblical songs " a simple statement of the profound work of what God has done to bring about salvation, followed by the singer's/congregation's response of genuine thankfulness.
2. See Him Coming " Mark Peterson
1. Glory and power to the One who loves us
Honour and praise him forever
Come Lord Jesus, Come Lord Jesus
2. Glory and power to the One who freed us
From all our sins by his blood
Come Lord Jesus, Come Lord Jesus
Chorus
See him coming on the clouds of heaven
Every eye behold him now
He's the Living One the first and last
Who once was dead, but now he lives forever and ever.
Eschatology is one of the key themes of the New Testament, placing the present Christian life in the context of Jesus' immanent return and eternity " an idea mostly ignored in modern congregational singing. See Him Coming, however, is a powerful song which picks up this theme using texts from Revelation, and in the way it calls for a universal acknowledgement of Jesus as the Lord who has saved us. This song will be most effective when played by a band with a strong rhythm section.
3. Revive Us, O Lord " Rob Smith
1. Father we come to you now
Trusting again in your power
Humble and heal us this hour
In Jesus' name
Help us repent of our ways
Our failures in seeking your face
Open our hearts to your grace
This is our prayer
Revive us, O Lord
Send forth your Spirit
Unsheathe your sword
And break through our chains
By the power of your word
Revive us, revive us, revive us, O Lord
This song is both a corporate confession of sin and prayer for spiritual revival. Rob Smith reclaims phrases and terms that are sometimes associated with extreme charismaticism " setting them within their right biblical context, creating a poignant and emotional prayer for renewal by God's Word and Spirit. The chorus has a challenging but rewarding melody " well worth the effort of conquering.
Trevor Hodge writes
Lack of emotion
Rightly, we are wary of emotionalism in worship " where an emotional experience is seen as the authenticator of meeting with God. Yet the remedy for misuse is not no emotion at all. If we have no joy and peace in knowing Jesus, no sorrow over our sin, no elation in being forgiven and redeemed, surely that is as great a problem. To base a marriage purely on feelings would be wrong " but if there are no feelings in a marriage, then something is not right either. Similarly, we must encourage emotions " not as an end in themselves, but as one aspect of our relationship with God.
Striking the balance between theological depth and singability
For better, or worse, our theology is currently shaped significantly by the songs we sing. Music is such a powerful communication tool; we need to sing a diverse range of good songs that help people explore the breadth of God character and his will. There is also a tension between depth and singability. While a catchy song with no content isn't much help, neither is a profound exposition that no one can sing" let alone remember!
Striking the balance between excellence and participation
There is a saying that you need to row with both oars: in our music ministries we need to pursue both excellence and participation. We need to aim for excellence " it's important that we give God our best. And bad or irrelevant music can be another unnecessary barrier to our unchurched friends feeling comfortable in church. But in doing so, we have to make sure that it doesn't end up a spectator sport. The music team is there to support the congregation not the other way around. If we are attracting attention to ourselves, we are distracting people's attention from God.
3 songs that address the big issues
I don't know that you could say any song gets it right. Rather, there are different songs that are good in focusing on different aspects of God, or that are good for different situations. That's why it's so important to think about what songs we choose for different services, and even for particular points during the service.
1. In Christ Alone " Stuart Townend / Keith Getty
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
If you are not moved by the third verse, singing with such stirring music about the freedom we receive in Christ's resurrection, then it might be time to check for a pulse!
2. Blessed Be Your Name " Matt and Beth Redman
Encourages us to praise God in the good and the bad times, and reminds us that our praise has to be a choice, as well as an emotional response. Just have to watch the register though " it can get a bit high for the ladies.
3. Here I am to Worship " Tim Hughes
Helps us to respond in worship to what Christ has done in coming to earth and dying for us. Needs to be balanced with teaching or songs that reminds us that worship is all of our life, not just our songs.
