Ministry127 | Music Ministry

Planning Center: A Helpful Tool for Music Ministry

Jon Guy — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:23:15 +0000

About a year and a half ago, I was introduced to Planning Center Online (PCO), which is a web-based planning and communication tool that has helped me more effectively serve our music team. One brief article is not enough to exhaustively explain the usefulness of this tool, so I would encourage you to explore their website. Here are a few of the reasons I recommend this tool:

Easy Planning

PCO allows you to create service plans in which you can schedule your groups and the songs they will sing. You can also upload mp3s and lyric documents to individual songs so your singers have easy access for listening and learning purposes. The program keeps record of the last time you sang a particular song so you don’t schedule it too often. This is particularly helpful with congregational songs.

The matrix view allows you to view several service plans at a time. This is great when working on an entire month’s worth of music. It keeps the task of scheduling simple.

Clear Communication

Effective communication is essential in music ministry. PCO centralizes much of your communication with your team members including their “block-out dates” when they are out of town or unable to sing. (I only use this tool to communicate with my ensembles, groups, and soloists. I use other means to stay in touch with the choir and orchestra.)

When you schedule a singer and then email them from PCO, they receive a notification that tells them what they’re scheduled to do, and it gives them the option to accept, decline, or view the service. When they accept or decline, you receive an email letting you know.

Accessibility

Because PCO is web-based, it can be accessed just about everywhere. Whether you’re in the office, at home, or on the go using the smart phone or iOS application, you can easily update service plans, schedule a group, or communicate with one of your team members.

Additional Information

There is a monthly cost to use PCO which you can view on their website. There are different tiers depending on your number of service plans and people you have using the program.

PCO can also be used for other ministries that involve planning and scheduling people. We have used it for our nursery workers, camera men, and parking lot attendants.

The members of our music team have taken very well to this new tool and are good at responding to the notifications. It took a few months to transfer over and adapt to PCO, but now, I wouldn’t go back!

Is Music Neutral?

Shelly Hamilton — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:15:22 +0000

Most Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) proponents say music is neutral and therefore all music is acceptable for the Christian. They say it is only the lyrics that make music good or evil.

Through the years, I’ve questioned different people regarding the neutrality of music. I’ve never talked to one unsaved person who felt that rock music was appropriate in combination with biblical words. There are a number of non-Christian authors who say that music is not neutral but has the ability to be good or evil. The majority of quotes used in this article are deliberately taken from those who do not claim to be Christian. The CCM people are claiming that the music-neutrality question is a dead issue, but according to my research there are still many who hold to the position that the style of the music definitely has moral implications.

CCM supporters argue that music is neutral or, in other terminology, amoral. The CCM supporters are the only ones I have found who believe this. This unique belief has gradually been formulated in the last thirty years or so out of necessity to justify CCM. When something is amoral, it is without morality and can have no standards or principles with respect to right or wrong.

When you take different colors of paint, a paintbrush, and a canvas, and put them in the hands of a person who makes moral choices, the resulting painting can be moral or immoral. When you take individual letters of the alphabet, you can form good words and bad words and create moral and immoral stories. I propose that in the same way, when you take individual notes and put them together with different rhythms, the resulting combination can be something having moral or immoral quality.

Ancient philosophers have believed and expounded on the moral power of music.

In Music and Philosophy, Athen-Griechenland, Plato wrote: “In order to take the spiritual temperature of an individual or a society, one must mark the music.”

M.S. Bothius (De Institutione Musica) wrote, “Music is part of us, and it either ennobles or degrades our behavior.”

The great writer and theologian, A.W. Tozer said, “If you love and listen to the wrong kind of music, your inner life will wither and die” (as quoted in The Closing of the American Mind, New York: Simon & Schuster, pp. 68-81).

Music Communicates, with or without Lyrics

Most people agree on this point.

Twenty-two music scholars performed studies and wrote a book called Musical Communication, with their findings stating, “Music is the message.” Here are some of their quotes:

Like language, music can be conceived as a communicative medium. ... Music and language [are] analogous systems of communication.
Music is the essence of human social life because music is the purest form of  communication.
The communicative aspect of music is something that cannot be denied.

In Exodus 32, Moses went up to a mountain to worship and get the commandments from God. In the meantime, the Israelites brought their gold to Aaron to melt down and make into a molten calf to worship. In verse 5 Aaron made a proclamation that tomorrow was to be a “feast to the Lord.” In verse 6 we are told that the people “rose up early… and offered burnt offerings… and sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.” In verses 7–19, God told Moses:

“Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves… I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them… And Moses turned, and went down from the mount… And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp… It is… the noise of them that sing do I hear. And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot…”

I doubt that Moses and Joshua could understand the lyrics of the singing from up on the mountain. There obviously was something in the sound of the singing that indicated something was wrong.

Music Communicates Moral Connotations, with or without Lyrics

CCM proponents differ with us on this point, believing that music apart from the lyrics is neutral. What do people who are not necessarily Christian think about this?

Jeremy Begbie, professor at Ridley Hall of Cambridge says in his book Resounding Truth: “It is indisputable that music is one of the most powerful media humans have at their disposal. Music is made and used by human beings, and human beings are never morally neutral creatures.”

Dr. Max Schoen says in The Psychology of Music: “The medical, psychiatric and other evidence for the non-neutrality of music is so overwhelming that it frankly amazes me that anyone should seriously say otherwise.”

The above cited music scholars and professionals believe music can be moral or immoral—never amoral. If they are right, music apart from words is not neutral but has the ability to be sensual. And if godly lyrics are added to sensual music, the sensual music can change the meaning of the godly lyrics. Just as you can say the name of Jesus in love and respect, you can say the name of Jesus in cursing. The way you say it—your tone of voice determined by your attitude, if you will—changes the meaning. You can say, “That’s great” and sincerely mean it; or you can say, “That’s great!” with a sarcastic tone of voice and completely change the meaning of the words. If music is not neutral, there can be music that, by the way it speaks, is not worthy or fit to be combined with godly lyrics. The ungodly music will change the meaning of the godly words.

The line of reasoning that music is neutral implies that the worst of heavy metal music combined with Christian words would be acceptable. If you were to listen to 60 seconds of heavy metal music with no lyrics attached, and list on the right-hand side of a piece of paper the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.), and on the left-hand side of the paper list the works of the flesh (anger, hatred, malice, etc.)—which side of the paper would the heavy metal music seem to emulate? Music can have an attitude all of its own. Many quoted rock musicians claim that their music is drugs, immorality, and rebellion. Is it any wonder that most of the lyrics of secular rock deal with the same?

It seems to be ludicrous to think that the worst rock music would line up with anything that emulates Christian characteristics, but this is ultimately what you would have to believe when you accept the music neutrality line of reasoning. A common occurrence is that once you accept the mildest of Christian rock music, then a little heavier rock beat doesn’t seem so bad, and then an even heavier rock beat, and so forth. There is a “conditioning” to the beat that takes place. One becomes desensitized to the rock and a downward spiral begins.

On the Barbara Walters Special (aired 3/29/94), Cheetah, a rock magazine, was quoted as saying:

If people knew what today’s pop music was saying, not what the words are saying, but what the music itself is saying, they would ban it, smash all records, and arrest anyone who tried to play it.

With all this information, it stands to reason that music, apart from the words, cannot be neutral and must have moral connotations. As a Christian, I want to be very careful about the music I play or listen to, especially when it is a medium used to proclaim God’s Holy Word.

“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 89:1

Using Scripture to Prove Music

Shelly Hamilton — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:21:11 +0000

The Bible is the basis and foundation of everything I believe. This is why I reference so much Scripture when I write about music. There are at least 500 verses in the Bible that refer to music. The Bible instructs believers to praise God, “In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). God also says in Psalm 40:3 to sing unto Him a “new song.”

In Christian music, it is indisputable that the lyrics ought to be biblically sound and edifying to the believer. There is no question here. However, it is also important that the music be biblical to communicate the lyrics properly. It is easier to evaluate if the lyrics are biblical than if the music is biblical. When you get into the music itself, the qualifying elements in regard to biblical standards are not as easy to determine.

We know from Scripture that everything a Christian does should be pleasing to the Lord. Although there are Scripture references regarding music that imply style, the Bible does not specifically name styles of music that are pleasing to Him or not pleasing to Him. Does the Bible instruct us about the topic of music? Yes. Does it quote all the specific styles of music through all the ages? No.

The same is true about dress. Does the Bible teach us about dress? Yes. Does it quote all the specific styles of all the centuries? Obviously not! The Bible does not attempt to teach about every music or dress style of every culture through the centuries since the Word of God was given. There are many choices Christians have to make in regard to what they do, see, wear, and hear that are not referred to specifically in the Bible.

I agree with John Makujina in his book A Christian Philosophy of Music when he says:

The Bible has not written to us a catalog of prohibitions, but, even though sometimes it can be very specific, it often guides our behavior based on larger principles, world views, and theology as a whole. For God to cover every sin of every culture specifically would require a book the size of the state of Texas. Notice that the Bible says nothing specifically about current sins such as plagiarism, or hijacking, or internet porn, or gambling. These are condemned, rather, under wider principles required of us, such as honesty and not stealing, love rather than hate, chastity rather than lust, stewardship and industriousness rather than greed.

The Bible is filled with principles by which we make applications to guide our lifestyle choices. In fact, most of the Christian life is application of biblical principles. I want to mention that although the Bible principles remain constant, our applications will not always be exactly the same. We cannot judge (form an opinion or conclusion about) the person whose application differs from ours, because we are instructed to, “judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). But at the same time we are instructed to prove (demonstrate truth by evidence or argument) what is acceptable as we are, “The temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them” (2 Corinthians 6:16). I am not to judge those who listen to rock music, but I am to prove the music itself!

Unfortunately, sometimes standards are passed from mature Christians to young Christians without communicating the biblical principles that the standards have been founded on. It is desperately important that biblical principles be taught so that young Christians can see why the standards have been formed; and through diligence they can form their own standards.

A scripture that my Dad has used for over 40 years in his music lectures is Ephesians 5:10, “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” This principle takes on more meaning as you read it in its context:

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:1-11)

These words are strong and clear in their meaning. It stands to reason that in areas of separation where the Bible is not specific, the principles will be applied in different ways. But there still must be standards. There is a belief among some that when Paul says, “All things are lawful for me” (1 Corinthians 6:12), he is referring to all lifestyle choices. Can this be possible when God is so explicit about letting all fornication and all uncleanness not be named among us? Is Paul saying “pornography” is lawful for him? Paul must be saying that things which fall within the realm of God’s high standards for the Christian are lawful.

In a day when men attempt to make all truth relative, we must remember that the Bible is definitive about the way a Christian should live.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise…. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is…Be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:15, 17–19)

It is true that all Christians are individually responsible to God for their choices and are not to judge each other. But this does not mean Christians should remain silent about an area of life that could be harmful to other Christians. In fact, I believe God wants us as Christians to take a stand against worldly matters. The bottom line is that even when our boundaries vary, we agree that boundaries should be set when it comes to matters of godliness or sensuality and analyze very closely all we say and do. I don’t believe God teaches us to just make sure we don’t go off the deep end, and that all else is relative and just a matter of preference.

So what does the Bible say about music? Does the Bible say specifically, “Do not listen to rock music or use CCM to worship?” No, but there are principles that can and should be applied to guide us regarding our music choices. Will the applications be different? Yes, somewhat. They probably won’t be vastly different though if we both agree that standards should be drawn in our music. But they will be extremely different if we choose to believe that all music is morally pure for the Christian.

With music, as with all standards, I try to err on the safe side of pleasing God and try not to offend Him in any way. When He gives me a principle, I know the principle is important to Him, so I’d better carefully apply the principle, search out all I do, prove what is excellent, and be obedient to scriptural principles.

The Role of Music in Worship

Dr. Michael Edwards — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:17:25 +0000

Worship and music are as essential to each other as worship and preaching. It seems there is always tension between time dedicated to music and time dedicated to preaching. In our world today, preaching is being shoved into a smaller and smaller time constraint while it seems the services are filled with what amounts to little more than an emotional rock concert. The truth is, preaching and Christ-honoring music are not adversaries; they are brothers in worship. Recently I read 1 Chronicles 25, and I was amazed at just how great an emphasis God placed on the ministry of music in the service of the tabernacle and the temple.

1 Chronicles 25:1–6 tells us David selected three men; Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to organize and lead the music in public services. In that same passage, we are told that these men had between them twenty-four sons, who they then led in the ministry of music. Each of them had specific responsibilities in both instrumentation and voice, and they led an army of musicians.

“Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.” 1 Chronicles 23:5

Four thousand people were dedicated to the ministry of music for the worship of Israel. I believe the Lord was very serious about music in worship.

As important as that is to know, what really caused me to take note was how the Lord described their ministry in 1 Chronicles 25:2–3: “Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king. Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.”

Note the words that I emphasized; they used their instruments and voices to prophesy. Now they did not preach, but their music had a message that gave thanks and brought praise to the Lord. How wonderful it is when music in our services is not done as a performance to highlight the talent of the musician but as a message about the glory of our God. We need to be so careful that music, the lyrics, and the musician have as their goal to praise God. In so doing, those that hear the music are made ready to receive the Word that will be preached. Music and preaching are not in competition in worship; they are complementary to each other and allow for Christ-honoring worship.

Discerning the Fruit of Rock Music

Shelly Hamilton — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:09:29 +0000

Music is the accompaniment of life. The music a man chooses as his accompaniment says a lot about his lifestyle and his belief system. The world uses rock music to accompany themselves in their revelry and reflect their philosophy and approach to life. Carefully analyze the fruit of rock music, and see if it is something with which you can associate as a Christian:

1. What Type of Movement Accompanies the Music

About ten years ago I went to a large reading session for sacred music companies to display their latest church music. When the Christian rock started up from the speakers, a number of the people got up in the aisles and started dancing to the beat. (And I’m not talking about traditional Jewish Bible-time dancing or a cheerleader-type dancing.)

There is nothing wrong with the physical effects of music, as long as they are the right kind of physical response.

You might ask yourself some questions: what type of motions go with the music to which I am listening? How is my body responding?

2. What Type of Singing Style Accompanies the Music

Is it wholesome or is it sensual?

3. Is This the World’s Music of Choice

Does the world use this music at their beach parties, bars, night clubs, etc.?

4. Who First Started Using This Music

Was it churches and Christian schools who desired to portray God’s love and holiness better—or was it the unregenerate who wanted to portray impurity, rebellion, and drugs? Why did they choose the rock style of music? Was it random or was it calculated, fitting their purpose?

5. How Is My Spirit Affected by the Music

When I hear rock music, my spirit is bothered by the beat, and I wish to escape as soon as possible. Why is that? Why do other Christians have the same response as I? Do we just have an adverse feeling because of what we’ve been taught, or is there something intrinsic in the music that bothers us?

Christians—especially teens—have a hard enough time as it is warring against the flesh and living in the Spirit. If a Christian teen conditions himself to Contemporary Christian Music, it is extremely easy to cross over and begin listening to secular rock with its immoral and rebellious lyrics. Why would we want to give our teens and ourselves this temptation?

“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:16–17

A Musical Line

Shelly Hamilton — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:26:28 +0000

What would you say the “spiritual temperature” of our society is today? Is it predominantly Christian? Are the world’s morals becoming more godly? Should Christians emulate the worldly cultural system we find ourselves in or be different—set apart?

The Bible command in 2 Corinthians 6:17 is, “Be ye separate.” When you are separate from the world, you will set boundaries for yourself in regard to your lifestyle which relate to matters of dress, music, and entertainment that differ from the culture around you. It used to be that Christians who believed the Bible’s teaching on being separate from the world all seemed to draw their boundaries at about the same place. It is not that simple today. It seems that the more sensual and ungodly our world has become, the more obscure the boundaries are for Christian separation. Shouldn’t the opposite be true—the more sinful the world, the more a Christian would stand out in contrast and the clearer the boundaries for separation?

As Christians, we desperately need to be careful about where we position ourselves in regard to our lifestyles. Would someone looking at your life determine that you are a Christian by how you look, what you do, where you go, and what you listen to? Would someone looking at your life see enough difference from his own worldly life that he would deduce that he needed a change? For the Christian, old things are passed away, and all things are become new. When you become a child of God, His love and holiness should infiltrate your life. As His holiness and love fill you, worldliness should dissipate.

In regard to music, let’s draw a horizontal line and on the extreme right point of the line place the most non-offensive music possible—a legitimate singing style, either a cappella or accompanied by classically-oriented instrumental music. On the extreme left point of our line let’s place the most worldly music possible—a sensual singing style accompanied by the worst of the heavy metal instrumental music. Then, of course, there is all the vast variety of music in between the two extremes. Christians who believe all music is neutral will believe all music on the line is acceptable. Christians who believe music can carry moral connotations will set boundaries in their musical choices and land somewhere between the extremes. Where would you say you fall on the line in regard to your musical choices? Should a Christian only be concerned about not going “off the deep end” and landing to the extreme left of the musical line? The mature Christian is one who sees how close he can be to Christ, not how worldly he can be without going to the extreme left.

There are legitimate reasons why we land on different places on the line. Age, training, and upbringing all influence the music we gravitate toward. It is also true that personal taste and preference come somewhat into play when selecting the music we use for worship or for enjoyment. We cannot judge because of preference, but I cannot emphasize enough the need to judge our music when it is sensual, regardless of age, preference, or upbringing.

My husband, Ron, was told a story about some unsaved teenagers who went to visit a local church, looking for something to fill the void in their lives. They sat in the back of a church auditorium, and after listening to several Christian rock numbers got up and left. They said that they didn’t come to church to listen to a “poorly done” imitation of secular rock music; they could get the real thing anytime they wanted. They had come to church to get something different.

Is it only the words of our music which should be set apart? Shouldn’t our music be set apart also? The kind of music you listen to tells a lot about you. In the words of an MTV executive: “Music tends to be a predictor of behavior and social values. You tell me the music people like and I’ll tell you their views on abortion…or what their sense of humor is like” (Quentin Schultze and Roy Anker, Dancing in the Dark).

As a composer, I love incorporating new musical ideas. I like to do things in a way that will make people sit up and listen to the message—but I dare not cross into worldliness! I must be extremely careful, because there will be those whom I influence who will follow my lead. For my music standard, I try to be somewhat up to date with my musical writing but not sensual. Using this sensual thermometer gauge is also how I draw the line in determining what I listen to, what I wear, what I watch, where I go, etc.

When given a choice, which side of the musical line should Christians lean to? There is no way to lump together all CCM. But once you start listening to any music with a rock beat or a sensual singing style, where do you draw the line in the music you will or will not listen to?

In my Christian walk I attempt to stay on the conservative side regarding standards. Why do I do this? God says, “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

God also says, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

Some people say, “You have your opinion; I have mine. My opinion is just as good as yours.” I propose that Christians should make popular the saying “God’s preference” instead of “personal preference.”

If music is not neutral and can of itself communicate moral values, then yes, God wants us to set boundaries.

Ephesians 5:10 tells us to prove, “What is acceptable unto the Lord.”

7 Habits for Good Choir Members

Byron Foxx — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:00:06 +0000

I love and admire God’s choir directors! After serving in church music ministries for over thirty years, I like to find ways to be helpful to these music leaders. So here are some ideas that choir directors may wish to print, post, or distribute to their choir members. All good choir directors say these things, but perhaps I have stated them in a slightly different way that you may find helpful.

1. Always be on time, or preferably be early. There is not a good excuse for being late to every rehearsal!

2. Have a pencil ready to mark your music from the director’s instructions. Spell musical terms as correctly as possible. (Can you spell Crescendo?)

3. Limit your talking during the choir rehearsal. Directors know that you will talk a little, but discipline yourself to be courteous to your choir director. It is frustrating to have conversations going on while trying to rehearse!

4. Encourage your choir director. A note or small gift (such as homemade cookies) can show your gratitude!

5. Let your choir director know when you will be absent. You are important, and it helps in planning to know when members will be absent from a rehearsal or service.

6. Work to improve as a musician. Strive for excellence.

7. Pray for your pastor and choir director daily. We all need the blessings of the Lord!

Enlisting New Choir Members

Jon Guy — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:03:16 +0000

Choir directors are always looking for new people to add to the choir. What are some practical tips for getting people involved?

Pray

Music is such an important part of our services that we must have God’s anointing on it. Pray over your choir membership. Then, ask the Lord to begin adding members to your choir.

Have an Exciting Music Program

Every time your choir sings, you are advertising your music ministry. Are your advertisements attractive? As you keep fresh, energizing, Christ-honoring music in the hands of your choir, people will want to be a part.

Be Tenacious

Even when your music ministry is dynamic and exciting, most people need a friendly nudge of encouragement before they step out and commit. Get to know church members. Get to know new members. Watch during the song service for people who seem to enjoy singing. Ask spouses of people already in your choir. Don’t be afraid to go after people.

Give People an Opportunity to Express Interest

You could have a Ministry Involvement Night where members are given the chance to sign up for more information on several ministries in the church including the music ministry, or you may choose to put something in the bulletin for them to turn in and express their interest. Be sure that you are quick to follow up when people express interest.

Ask Around

Talk to adult teachers in your church who know the members of their class better than you. They can suggest names to you, and you can follow-up with a friendly phone call or with an invitation to a choir orientation.

Talk to Choir Members

Choir members often know other church members who sing, but have been hesitant to join. They may be able to offer you some names.

Host a Choir Orientation

Have a meeting after church on a Sunday night where anyone interested can come to a general meeting with you to hear more about the choir ministry. Use this time to talk about the philosophy of your music ministry, leadership requirements, and the practice schedule. Take time at the end of this meeting to answer any questions. Have someone take attendance, then follow-up with each person and meet with them one-on-one.

The purpose of the individual meetings is three fold: one, to hear their testimony and get to know them; two, to be sure they are on-board with the leadership requirements and that they understand the choir ministry is a “visible position of leadership;” and three, to answer any questions they may have. This one-on-one meeting is important, because people will be more open and honest with you in this setting than in a general setting. You may find after meeting with them that they need more time before they are ready to join the choir.

5 Things Good Music Does

Kevan Bartlett — Thu, 19 May 2011 00:05:10 +0000

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” Ephesians 5:18-19

There are many criteria to evaluate music (technical, poetical, structural, and stylistic criteria). These and other judgments on the subject of music lead to some wide variations in response to the question, “What, exactly, is good music?”

I would not pretend to be able to assert with absolute assurance that I know the exact totally definitive answer to that question. (I am honest enough to admit that, which puts me slightly ahead of a few other commentators.)

The specifics of these evaluations can (and will) be debated and discussed; asserted and argued; critiqued and criticized. The limitless variations of opinions and positions will establish “firm ground” for a high-minded few to point the finger of accusation at some and to extend a certification of “acceptable” to others.

I am convinced that these matters will not be settled until we all are singing perfect music in the presence of the Lord Jesus in Heaven. Given the stark differences of earthly opinions that are so pronounced among people who are otherwise in such unified agreement on every other area of faith and practice, I wonder if there are going to be some red-faces of embarrassment in the celestial choir. Is it possible that some folks (from one side or the other, or both) are going to be singing some music in Heaven that they once deemed as “unacceptable” on earth?

For now, I submit that the first and basic criterion that must be brought to bear is to determine what the music does. Other measures and evaluations can certainly be factored in. But, if the music fails to achieve a valid biblical purpose then it is worthless regardless of how highly it is regarded in other areas.

The glorious melody lifting to great emotional heights, a lush poetic lyric that comes to a thrilling climax in a glorious musical arrangement—yet fails to meet a Godly purpose is vapid of spiritual significance. The technically precise, traditionally styled anthem with only organ accompaniment that only succeeds in demonstrating the skill and talent of the performers also fails to achieve valid spiritual purpose.

In evaluating the results or accomplishments of music, there are some easily understood “minimum standards” for good music drawn from the unchanging instructions (not from personal interpretation) of the Word of God.

We can see what good music does from the Bible:

1. Good Music Proclaims Biblical Truth

We know that music is a powerful teaching tool.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

Teach what? We must teach that which we are commanded to learn—the Bible

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11

“And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

If we are to teach the Bible with music, then the music in our church must follow scriptural purposes.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16–17

The words, lyrics, and themes of our music must be in accordance with the Bible. As we would demand doctrinal purity in preaching so must music be doctrinally pure. In music, God has provided a powerful tool for Christians to proclaim Bible truth.

2. Good Music Preaches Jesus

There are many Bible topics that music can address but there must be a heavy dose of Jesus in our overall repertoire of church music.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Some beautiful so-called “Christian” music has no mention of God, the Lord, or Jesus Christ. Good music exalts and glorifies Jesus Christ.

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32

Even our songs of testimony should point the glory up to Jesus!

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5

3. Good Music Praises God

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 150:1-2, 6

Good music praises God for who He is—His attributes

“Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” Psalm 148:13

Good music praises God for what He does—His activity

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14

Good music praises God for what He says—His affirmations

“My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.” Psalm 119:171

It is always appropriate to praise the Lord! It is never out of place.

“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:15

4. Good Music Prods the Hearers

To quote Byron Foxx, “We want to produce music that touches the head, heart, and the will (volition).”

Music speaks to our emotions. There is a word to describe music that has no emotional element—boring. Good music does stir our emotions. But, that is only a part of it’s overall effectiveness in us. If it is only an emotional experience—then nothing has truly been accomplished.

Good music speaks to our head (intellect) in the language of our heart (emotion) so as to direct our spirit (will).

“I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.” Psalm 86:12

Good music ought to urge us, move us, push us, and prod us:

To conviction
To conversion
To commitment
To consecration
To communion
To comfort

5. Good Music Prioritizes the Church

“Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,” Colossians 3:16

Music with a priority on the church calls believers to action! Military music rallies the troops around the flag. Christian music should rally believers around their Saviour. This kind of music stirs the church to obey the Great Commission.

Obviously there is music that God intends for us to sing as Holy Spirit filled believers. It is incumbent upon us (using Bible principles) to sing music that produces spiritual results. This is what “good” music does.

8 Tips for Songwriters

Byron Foxx — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:53:00 +0000

1. Know Your Music Theory

Well-written music is not an accident but comes from hard work and skilled labor.

2. Study Good Music

Analyze and peruse successful music. Surround yourself with excellent music in a variety of God-honoring styles. Ask yourself, “What sets this song apart from ‘average’ songs?”

3. Know the Subject of Your Songs Well

I write only Christian music. The content of your music must come from your daily walk with the Lord in Bible reading, prayer, and the closeness of your relationship with Him.

4. Be Critical of Your Music

Do not set low limits, but strive to be your best. Be sure the melody is attractive, easily sung, and flows with the content of the lyrics. Use a thesaurus or a rhyming dictionary to aid you in writing outstanding lyrics. After you have completed a song, set it aside for a period of time, and then return with a fresh perspective.

5. Write Regularly

The more you write the better you should become. Don’t give up after the first few songs. Many musicians write for years before producing songs that are singable and endure the test of time. Keep working at it!

6. Have Qualified Musicians Review Your Music

Listen to their comments and learn from them. Do not be easily offended, but be willing to learn and grow.

7. Strive to Have Your Music Published and Recorded

Submit your music to the market you are seeking. Again, don’t give up. Ask the Lord to use your music to honor Him and help other Christians, and keep submitting.

8. Be Honest in Your Writing

Do not copy the work of others. Be yourself in your songwriting and glorify God in the music He gives you.

The bottom line is: keep writing. Do not be easily satisfied. Hone your skills to be the best you can be for the Lord in this area.