What is Happening to the Music in the Church?

[Dr. Shane]

[olger]

Fanny good.

Elvis bad.

g

[LynnDel]

When I was in boarding academy, one of the most enjoyable experiences on Friday nights was when we students spontaneously went up to the balcony, usually on a weekly basis, and sang songs a capella, not even a guitar in sight. It was such a lovely, spiritual, and prayerful time, and we students drew closer together. This was right at the edge of the music change in the church, just at the time when scripture songs started coming into use, some of which we sing to this day, and some even appear in hymnals. We sang songs such as Jacob's Ladder and Sweet Hour of Prayer, and all the summer camp spiritual songs, harmonizing, singing in rounds, etc.

I think all of us who enjoyed those Friday evening balcony singalongs have wanted to repeat the experience, and the closest we can come to it is when we sing songs from our hearts, some new, some old, all in praise to God or a testimony of our experience with Him. It's not hymns vs. praise songs; it's viewing music as an act of worship and taking the critical spirit out of our minds.

The 7-11 criticism is cute, but not valid for the most part. Any song with a chorus has repetition. Repetition is good for the memory.

Or maybe as g would say today, Repetition good, stuck in rut bad.

LynnDel

[Woody]

Quote:

Or maybe as g would say

Oh no ... not more g .

[Planey]

Quote:

Or maybe as g would say

Oh no ... not more g .

A resounding "yes"!!

One is moe - much more - than enough.

Graeme

[Jeannieb43]

Re: "Friday evening balcony singalongs," this story reminds me of one of the most emotional hymn-singing experiences I've ever had. It was in the little town of Torre Pelice, in the panhandle of Italy [where the lingua franca is French]. I was on a bus tour of Italy with about 40 other Adventists, back in 1975 (just prior to the 1975 General Conference Session in Vienna).

We toured the area of Torre Pelice where the Waldenses lived, right on the edge of the mountains where they had so often sought refuge in caves. We had the opportunity of visiting their small wooden church, and picturing those brave Bible-missionaries worshiping there so long ago. Our group just spontaneously broke into song. "Faith of Our Fathers" never thrilled me so much as that day, standing in the middle of that tiny wooden church.

[olger]

Originally Posted By: Redwood

Quote:

Or maybe as g would say

Oh no ... not more g .

A resounding "yes"!!

One is moe - much more - than enough.

Graeme

More G good.

Less G bad.

G

[aldona]

Re: "Friday evening balcony singalongs," this story reminds me of one of the most emotional hymn-singing experiences I've ever had. It was in the little town of Torre Pelice, in the panhandle of Italy [where the lingua franca is French]. I was on a bus tour of Italy with about 40 other Adventists, back in 1975 (just prior to the 1975 General Conference Session in Vienna).

We toured the area of Torre Pelice where the Waldenses lived, right on the edge of the mountains where they had so often sought refuge in caves. We had the opportunity of visiting their small wooden church, and picturing those brave Bible-missionaries worshiping there so long ago. Our group just spontaneously broke into song. "Faith of Our Fathers" never thrilled me so much as that day, standing in the middle of that tiny wooden church.

Did you know that "Faith Of Our Fathers" was actually a Catholic hymn, written to commemorate Catholic martyrs that were being persecuted and killed by Protestants during the reign of King Henry VIII?

http://joyfulministry.com/faithoft.htm

Persecution is not all one-sided.

aldona

[SivartM]

I DO know who Fanny Crosby is.

[LifeHiscost]

Persecution is not all one-sided.

aldona

Neither the evil in men's hearts when they haven't been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"Jeremiah 17:9 KJV

"Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."Hebrews 2:17 NKJV

Blessings!

[LifeHiscost]

I think all of us who enjoyed those Friday evening balcony singalongs have wanted to repeat the experience, and the closest we can come to it is when we sing songs from our hearts, some new, some old, all in praise to God or a testimony of our experience with Him. It's not hymns vs. praise songs; it's viewing music as an act of worship and taking the critical spirit out of our minds.

The 7-11 criticism is cute, but not valid for the most part. Any song with a chorus has repetition. Repetition is good for the memory.

Or maybe as g would say today, Repetition good, stuck in rut bad.

LynnDel

TU