The Heart and Art of Church Music

 The Heart & Art of Church Music

A Study Guide for Worship Team Members

by Michael W. Wilson 

Music is one of the most misunderstood ministries in any local church. This is due mainly to the varied roles music plays in secular society, ones that we have too often allowed to color our own attitudes as well. In the secular world music serves five main purposes:

1. To entertain the musicians and their listeners.
2. To fill silence with background sound so that people don’t feel alone.
3. To provide an outlet for the talents and creative urges of musicians, so that they can feel adored and appreciated.
4. To provide heroes for the public to “worship/idolize.”
5. To make money for musicians, song writers, promoters, and publishers, etc.

Obviously, none of these is a worthy motivation for any ministry in the church. They are all self-serving and/or greed driven. In the Body of Christ everything we do should be for the purpose of building-up the Body, edifying believers, winning the lost, equipping the saints, and bringing glory to God rather than to ourselves. We seem to grasp this concept in other areas, such as preaching, teaching, and leading, but we lose it when it comes to music. 

The tools and building blocks of music such as melody, harmony, rhythm, tempo, and timbre are all gifts from God. He Himself is the Chief Musician. The world did not invent music. Humans merely discovered what God created and has given to us for our enjoyment and for His glory. In the church, music holds a special purpose that has little or nothing to do with the purposes it serves in the world. 

In the context of the church and the worship experience music is a “vehicle” that carries people and their praise-offerings into the throne room of God Himself. Music is a conduit. It is like a telephone line that carries messages both directions—from us to God and from God to us. However, the thing I really want to emphasize is that music is not an end, but a means to the end of helping the congregation be better able to worship God in Spirit and in truth. 

We all know that there are many different means by which to ship the same cargo: by truck, by airfreight, by train, by barge, or even by pack mule. These are all simply vehicles, containers, or means by which to move a shipment from one place to another, from one person to another. In the same way, music provides a variety of vehicles by which we can move a message to a specific person or group of people. Again, music is not the end; it is the means to an end. The content is what is most important. The music is the packaging of the message, just the outer wrapping. 

Dr. J. Vernon McGee once remarked that when Satan fell, he landed in the choir loft. By this he was saying that music in the church often stirs up controversy, jealousy, and discontent. This owes in part to the fact that musicians themselves are often temperamental people and not always easy to work with. But even if they were all perfect and awesomely spiritual, they would still be up against an impossible challenge because they cannot please everyone. Generational differences, style preferences, tastes in volume level, etc. all make it difficult to scratch where everybody itches, at least at the same time.

Moreover, the music ministry sometimes attracts people for the wrong reasons. Every church music director knows that not every volunteer is a great catch. Some people want to sing or play up front but they cannot carry a tune in a pail, cannot stay on pitch, and cannot even hear when they are “off.” They do not let that stop them, however, but forge ahead to make up in volume what they lack in quality. In this life sincerity counts for some things, but music ministry is not one of them. Yet if he/she is persistent in asking to sing or play it becomes a very delicate matter for the worship leader or pastor to explain to them that their talents are evidently in other areas.

On the other hand, there are those who have plenty of talent, skill, and experience, but their motivation is off-kilter. They have a star complex or just want to see what it feels like to be up front with everyone watching them. They want to sing or play to be praised of men, which is a selfish motive. While that might be acceptable in a karaoke bar it has no place in a church service. 

Music ministry is a balance of HEART and ART. Art refers to the technical side – i.e., a basic skill level for starters, and enough talent to improve with practice. Heart refers to the motivation of the person. Anything other than a humble servant spirit and a deep desire to help God’s people worship our great God is an inadequate and unworthy motivation. 

What many people do not understand is that the smaller the ensemble, the more important it is that each member is able to sing on key and carry his/her own part. A large choir can absorb a couple of Monotone Marvins or One-note Noras and still manage to function. In a small music team, however, a person like this fouls up everything because their sound cannot be hidden. Moreover, they throw everyone else off too. Over the years I have occasionally had people approach me to ask why I do not ask Sister Bertha or Brother Jones to sing or play. A few times I have even heard people complaining that the Music Team is a closed, exclusive club. However, nothing is further from the truth. Every church wants and needs more good musicians. On the other hand, like with other high-visibility ministries in the church, we need to be sure that a person measures up. 

Here is how we do that. If you want to be a part of the Music Team, there is a three-part process you will be asked to endure. First, there is an interview to find out why you want to sing or play. This is simply for the purpose of understanding your motivation. You will be asked how you came to Christ and to describe the devotional relationship you have with the Lord. Church music is all about one’s testimony, and our communication of spiritual truths. If your Christian life is in a shambles, then you really are not qualified to exhort others through music to do what you yourself are not practicing. That would be hypocritical. In that case, you would not be suitable for the Music Team, even if you are a professional musician who sings, plays, composes, arranges, and conducts.

Secondly, we require a simple audition with the Team Leader. In that audition the focus is going to be on your skills. Can you sing your part on pitch, both alone, and amidst other people singing other parts? Can you read music, at least enough to get by? Does your voice and your singing style fit with the other voices in the group? Can you play your instrument well enough to help rather than hinder? What experience do you bring to the Team?

Thirdly, if everything seems positive then you will be asked to come on-board for a probationary trial period to see how you fit in. Music is a team sport, and we are always looking for team players, not free agents. This careful audition/interview process is not meant to terrify anyone but is simply a way of getting the right people, impelled by the right motives, into the right ministry slots. When the system works, the congregation ends up hardly noticing the musicians on Sunday because they get so focused on the Lord. That is our goal. As musicians we must decrease so that Christ might increase. If you have the skills and the heart to minister through music, then let’s get together to talk. We want and need more musicians. We just want the right ones!

The Theology of Christian Worship

A. The Importance of Worship

1. Offering praise and thanksgiving to God for Who He is – i.e., the greatness of His person
2. Offering praise and thanksgiving to God for What He Has Done for Us – i.e., the greatness of His works
3. The overflow of a heart that has been musing on Christ.
4. Just as kneeling is the posture of the body in prayer, so worship is the posture of the soul in adoration.
5. It is giving to God – not receiving from God.
6. Worship is, “Formal communion between God and His people” (Strong). In it, God speaks to man, and man to God.
7. “Christian worship is the utterance of the spirit.” (Sterrett, Reason and Authority in Religion). But there is more in true love than can be put into a love letter, and there is more in true religion than can be expressed either in theology or in worship. Christian worship is communion between God and man. But communion cannot be one-sided.

B. Definition of Terms

1. The worship of God is nowhere defined in Scripture. A consideration of the verbs shows that it is not confined to praise; broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgment of God, of His nature, attributes, ways, and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by deeds done in such acknowledgment.
2. Old Testament – There are two main Hebrew words that are used, both translated “worship,” but by far the most common word is שָׁחָה (shaw-khaw'). It is translated various ways: “to depress, to prostrate (esp. in homage to royalty or God), bow down flat, humbly beseech, do obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.” (cf. Joshua 5:14; Psalm 29:2)
3. New Testament – Again, there are two main Greek words used, both translated “worship.” The most common is προσκυνέω (proskuneō, from pros, “toward” and kunéo, “to kiss”). The idea is that a kiss is a token and symbol of love and reverence. The word is sometimes rendered, “to make obeisance, do reverence toward”; i.e., an act of homage or reverence,

·       An offering to God – (Revelation 4:10-11)

·       An offering to Christ – (John 9:38, the man born blind)

4. English Etymology – Our word “worship” derives from Old English worðscip = “worth + ship” or “worthy + ship.” The suffix “-ship” is a word-forming element meaning “(1) quality, condition; (2) act, power, skill; or (3) office, position. It is used in many familiar English words including apprenticeship, championship, citizenship, companionship, discipleship, fellowship, friendship, leadership, lordship, and of course, worship, just to name a few. So “worship” is recognition of the condition of being worthy, having dignity, glory, distinction, honor, and renown. We only worship that which is worthy of our praise and adoration.

C. The One Legitimate Object of Worship – The only worthy One, our Great God.

1. “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3)
2. “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” (Matt. 4:10)

D. The Need for Worship

1. We were created that we might bring glory to God (Isaiah 43:7)

·       Question: “What is the chief end of man?” (Westminster Shorter Catechism)

·       Answer: “The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”

2. We were redeemed that we might bring honor to God (Ephesians 1:12)
3. God our Father seeks our worship (John 4:23). However, only those who are God’s children can truly worship the Father.
4. Finally, we become like that which we contemplate (2 Corinthians 3:18). As we worship Him, we become more like Him.

E. The call to Worship

1. Psalm 95:6-7 – Venite! “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.”
2. Psalm 100:1-2 – Jubilate Deo! “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before Him with joyful singing.”
3. Psalm 107:32 – “Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.”
4. Isaiah 2:3 – “And many people shall go and say, ‘Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.’”

F. Preparation for Worship

1. We cannot truly worship God with sin in our hearts and lives. Worship can only come from redeemed hearts and sanctified lives. Sin is a brick wall between us and God, and it stifles our worship of Him.
2. Exodus 19:10-11 – “And the Lord said unto Moses, go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes, and be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai.”

G. Examples of Worship

1. The worship by the Magi (Matthew 2:1-11). They traveled far and brought costly gifts to Christ. Gold speaks of His deity, frankincense of His fragrant, sinless life, and myrrh of the bitterness of His suffering. It has been well said, “Wise men still worship Him.”
2. The worship by the woman with the alabaster box of ointment (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9). She lavished what was most precious on the Lord Jesus. Some of His disciples considered it a waste; it should have been given to the poor, they thought. But no act of worship is ever a waste in the eyes of God.
3. The worship of Mary (Luke 10:38-42). Here worship is contrasted with service. Mary was occupied with Christ, while Martha was occupied with the meal. Worship and service are both important, but our Lord’s comment in verse 42 teaches us that worship should always come first. Worship is the priority.
4. The worship by the cleansed leper (Luke 17:12-19). Ten lepers were cleansed, but only one returned to glorify God. The Lord’s sad question, “Where are the nine?” indicates that many are glad to receive His healing touch, but few bother to respond with their praise and adoration.

H. How to Worship

1. Private Worship – Through praise, thanksgiving, and adoration, etc.

·       Philippians 4:6 – “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

·       Matthew 6:6 – “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

·       Matthew 4:23 – “And when He had sent the multitude away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray and when the evening was come, He was there alone.”

2. Family Worship

·       Deuteronomy 16:11 – “And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish His name.”

3. Collective Worship – Should be joyful and instructive.

·       Psalm 100:1-2 – “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.”

·       Proverbs 8:33-34 – “Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts.”

a.    Worship Services – Early Christian worship included preaching, prayer, reading of Scripture, singing, testimonies, giving thanks, the Lord’s Supper, and almsgiving.

b.    Communion Service (the Lord’s Supper)

1)    Remember Him (Luke 22:19)

2)    Show His death (1 Cor. 11:26)

3)    Look forward to His return (1 Cor. 11:26)

4)    Witness to the unity of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16-17)

I. Principles of True Worship

1. True worship must be “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). There is no need for ecclesiastical garments, elaborate rituals and ceremonies, or material aids. True worship comes from the heart.
2. There is no special place on earth where we must worship. By faith, the Christian enters the very presence of God with his praises. “O Come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.” (Ps. 95:6-7)

Music - What is it?

1. Harmonic combinations of audible tones (i.e., sound frequencies), with a regular rhythm pattern, that pleases the ear [think of cacophony vs. harmony/music]. 

2. Music is a means of communication by which the heart expresses itself in love, happiness, sadness, frustration, adoration, etc.

Christian Music - What is it?

1. Definition = It is music that expresses the message of the Gospel, of praise, or of testimony with musical credibility. It is simply a vehicle that transports precious cargo. 

2. Christian Music is a combination of ART + SCIENCE + SPIRITUAL MINISTRY

·       If it is not art, beauty and brilliance will be lacking. Art requires creativity.

                     and dedication.

·       If it is not science, it will lack precision and technical virtuosity.

·       If it is not spiritual ministry, it will lack the power of the Spirit and will

accomplish nothing, therefore having no reason to exist.

·       Observations about it being art:

Ø  A work of art has value in and of itself because it is a work of creativity.

Ø  Every work of art expresses the world view of the artist.

Ø  The fact that something is called “a work of art” does not automatically make it sacred. (Example: Handel’s “Messiah” sung by non-Christians)

Ø  Criteria for critical evaluation of the worth of a work of art:

ü  Technical excellence - Is it well crafted?

ü  Integrity - Does it truly show the artist and reflect his worldview?

ü  Content - What does it say? Is it biblically accurate?

3. Christian music is a form of communication that presses for a response from the listener as well as from the musician. That is, it should affect both the musician and the hearer in a definite and positive manner, stimulating action. If it does not provoke a response or reaction, it has not achieved its goal.

4. Theologically speaking, music is not a spiritual gift, but rather a natural, God-given capacity through which any spiritual gift may be exercised; however, musical talents need to be developed and used, or they will atrophy.

Key Verse = 1 Corinthians 14:15

“What is the outcome then? I shall pray with the spirit, and I shall pray with the mind also; I shall sing with the spirit, and I shall sing with the mind also.”

Why do we sing? = THE RIGHT MOTIVES

1. To glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31) – through praise, adoration, gratitude, exalting the Lord, and honoring Him.

2. To build up believers (1 Cor. 14:26).

3. To proclaim the Gospel to the lost world (Romans 1:14-16).

To whom do we sing? (Who is the audience?) = THE RIGHT DIRECTIONS

To explain this part, I want to focus our attention on two main texts. The first is Ephesians 5:18-20— “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. ¹⁹ Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The second text is Colossians 3:16-17– “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

These two passages contain the same four elements. They just say the same thing in two different ways. It boils down to this... The fullness of the Spirit in a Christian’s life, plus the continuous ministry of the abiding Word of God will cause the believer to communicate his joy in three directions:

1. UPWARD, to God – Not merely with songs about Him but directed to Him as well, songs of praise, thanksgiving, and love. [Psalm 51, 98:1]
2. OUTWARD, to other people – “...teaching one another and exhorting one another” [Colossians 3:16]

·       Believers

·       Non-believers

3. INWARD, to us ourselves – “...making melody in your heart...” i.e. We sing to encourage and strengthen ourselves because we are overflowing with joyful music in the inner man.

Both key passages talk about singing to the Lord in “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” Let us see if we can come up with working definitions of these three terms.

The three biblical categories of sacred music:

1. Psalms = The Scriptures in musical form, i.e., singing God’s Word, using the Scriptures themselves for the lyrics, regardless of the tune.

·       E.g., Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say REJOICE!”

·       Psalm 34:8, “The Lord is good, the Lord is good, blessed is the man...”

·       The original “songs of Zion” have long been lost but since the time of the Early

                     Church Christians have been singing the Scriptures. In fact, the Psalms of                       David were the hymnbook of the primitive church.

·       For years this practice was almost lost to the Church. Thankfully, there has been a resurgence of Psalm singing in the past 50 years. Today many of our songs and choruses are taken directly from Scripture. A “Psalter” is a hymnbook with all the songs taken straight out of God’s Word.

2. Hymns = Songs directed specifically toward God, as opposed to merely being about Him. Hymns allow us to express prayers of...

·       Contrition - “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” “Cleanse Me” (Confession of sin and asking for forgiveness]

·       Dedication - “Just as I Am” “I Surrender All” [Submitting our lives to His will and to His service, and declaring His Lordship]

·       Adoration - “My Jesus, I Love Thee” “O to Be Like Thee” [Expressing our love for Him]

·       Praise - “I Exalt Thee” “Great Are You, Lord” [Telling who He is and what He has done, emphasizing His person and His works]

·       Gratitude - “How Can I Say Thanks (My Tribute)” “Thank You, Lord, For Saving My Soul” [Giving thanks to God for all His blessings]

·       Petition - “Fill My Cup, Lord” “May the Mind of Christ, My Savior” [Asking from God those things that we have need of]

·       N.B. Our English word “hymn” comes from the Greek word, humnos, (ὕμνος) and by exact definition means, “a song or prayer of praise addressed to God.” Notice that the length and style of a piece of music are not what define a song as a hymn, but rather, the content. It may have one short chorus or 5 verses and a refrain. That part does not matter. Using this as our definition you will see that many of the songs in our so-called “Hymnbook” or “Hymnal” are not really hymns at all, but rather are in fact... 

3. Spiritual Songs = Songs directed toward other people expressing...

·       Our testimony = How much we love Jesus, how He saved us, what He has done for us, what we were like before salvation, the joy we have in knowing Christ, telling of special blessings, rejoicing in our hope of Heaven, etc. (e.g., Psalm 40:1-3)

·       Bible Doctrine = Instructing, teaching by means of music, telling what the Bible teaches on a subject (e.g., Heaven), etc. But we must be incredibly careful about the doctrine in our songs! Sounding nice and making us feel good is not enough.

·       Exhortation/Encouragement/Motivation = To excite, comfort, warn, challenge, persuade, give courage, strengthen people amidst difficult circumstances, and encourage us to testify to others about Christ, etc.

The minimum quality level that is acceptable:

THE PRINCIPLE = Look at 2 Samuel 24:24 where King David says, “...I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

1. We are to give the best that we can possibly give to Him.
2. Whatever we give must be a genuine sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).
3. Observation: For most hearers, the quality of the music will affect either negatively or positively their perception of the quality of the rest of the service. That is why we are concerned with maintaining a high level of musical quality.

9 Common Erroneous Ideas About Music in the Church:

1. “Anyone who deeply desires to participate should be allowed to sing, play, or lead music in the church. If they are sincere and really want to sing or play, we should let them do it.”

·       RESPONSE: Look at 1 Chronicles 15:16-24, 27-28. The musicians were chosen, hand-picked. In fact, they were all priests. Verse 22 says, “Chenaniah...gave instruction in singing because he was skillful.” NOTE: We would never use this fallacious argument about preaching, teaching, or leading. Why should there be a different standard for those who perform music?

2. “The quality of the musical presentation is not as important as the sincerity of the musician.”

·       RESPONSE: Yes and no. Read Psalm 33:1-3. It says, “Play skillfully.” A musician must practice and rehearse if he wants to improve! There is no excuse for being a lazy servant. God always required unblemished sacrifices. For the musician, this is part of his/her “reasonable service” (Romans 12:1-2). 

3. “Spontaneity is the sign of the presence and direction of the Holy Spirit.”

·       RESPONSE: The Bible says that God is “not the Author of confusion.” In the Old Testament the high praise was always well rehearsed and well prepared in advance because they believed that God is worthy of our best sacrifice.

·       Read 2 Chronicles 5:12-14 and pay attention to the result of their preparation. 

4. “In the worship service music can be used to fill space and cover noise.”

·       RESPONSE: In my opinion this is not a legitimate use of music. This practice devalues the ministry of music. Using it this way causes it to become utilitarian and banal, like the songs played on elevators and in waiting rooms. 

5. “The Christian singer is a kind of “star” that presents his/her songs before an audience (i.e., the congregation).”

·       RESPONSE: Our musical presentations should be of the highest quality possible, but not as a show to entertain. We must remember that God is the audience, that all the people in the congregation are the actors on the stage, and the musicians are merely the “prompters,” whispering cues from the wings.

·       Earlier I mentioned that there are two main NT Greek words for “worship”, the first one being προσκυνέω (proskuneō). The other word is leiturguía, giving us the English word “liturgy.” It is composed of leos (people) + ergon (work/labor). Thus, worship is “people work,” the labor/service of the people

Ø  People = Because all the believers are to participate together.

Ø  Work = Because it is difficult, requiring energy, thought, and planning.

·       Philippians 2:17 = “service”

·       Hebrews 9:21 = “ministry” 

6. “Those responsible for the music in the church are the worship team, the choir, the music minister, and the musicians.”

·       RESPONSE: That would only be true if we were there to put on a show. Biblically speaking, the whole congregation is responsible! The people have the responsibility to sing joyfully and to sing well, which has nothing to do with singing loudly. The most important choir of any church is the congregation. When the church sings it gives an opportunity for everyone to participate together, in the same activity, at the same time, in one spirit, with one purpose. 

7. “Music and worship are just two words for the same thing.”

·       RESPONSE: No, they certainly are not, although music is sometimes a vehicle for worship. How many times have you heard someone say, “Now we are going to have a time of praise and worship,” and then he/she leads the congregation to sing three little anemic songs, all insipid, and lacking in content. Real praise, on the other hand, is powerful. It is born in the heart, out of an attitude of adoration, and then bursts forth from the lips of the people in joyful praise to the living God. It focuses our love and attention on Him, as we enter His presence with thankfulness, communing with our God “in the beauty of His holiness.”

8. “The music is less important than the sermon.”

·       RESPONSE: A well-planned worship service is like a good meal with several courses: salad, soup, meat and vegetables, plus a tasty dessert. Of those, which is the most important part? The sermon should be seen in the context of the whole meal, the complete service, which includes various elements:

§  Recognition of the presence of God

§  Confession of our sins and assurance of God’s forgiveness

§  Expressions of praise and adoration

§  Reading and exposition of the Word of God

§  Celebration of the Ordinances

§  Prayers

§  Dedication of our lives

§  Offering up material sacrifices

·       The quality of the congregational singing can be a good thermometer that reveals the spiritual health of a church. The goal of those who lead is to help each participant in the worship service have a real experience with Christ, to acknowledge His presence, to truly worship the Lord, and to commune with Him. Music has an incredible power to make people aware of the presence of God (see Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7). All the musical elements of the service have this potential.

§  Choir songs

§  Solos, duets, trios, etc. (so-called “special music”)

§  Congregational singing

§  Accompaniment and instrumental music

9. “There are some styles of music such as hard rock, jazz, rap, reggae, and hip-hop, that just cannot be used by God because they are inherently sinful.”

·       RESPONSE: Music in and of itself is neither sinful nor holy. It is a medium of communication that can be used for good or for evil. However, all of us have styles of music that we just do not like. But that is really a question of taste, not theology.

·       But, how about styles of music? Does anything go? You must remember that music styles are like different languages. They have different vocabulary, different rules of grammar, different pacing and intonation, and different sounds. We must learn the language to really appreciate it. That takes effort and a positive, teachable attitude. Unfortunately, many Christians get stuck in a musical time warp and never gain an appreciation for music that is outside of their traditional comfort zone. We need to remember that Christian music is a constantly changing medium of communication that is fluid and mobile, always in flux. It changes with each generation. It changes with the introduction of new instruments. It changes as our language changes. It changes to reflect a new worldview. Because of this we must never enthrone a particular style, or sound, or rhythm scheme, etc. because music must always be allowed to change, to speak to each new generation that comes along. 

THEREFORE,

• We must always value the message over the medium (i.e., content over style).
• We must respect each arriving generation and allow them a certain freedom of expression, to express their Christian experience in terms that resonate with them.
• We must respect the feelings that music produces in people, even if it does not do the same thing for us.

Four secrets of success for church musicians:

1. PLAN the music well...

·       ...in advance, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, to blend with the message and theme of the worship service.

2. PREPARE the music well...

·       ...and rehearse a lot, to perfect the technical aspects and overall quality.

3. PERFORM the music well...

·       ...in a spirit of humility and with much prayer.

4. PARTICIPATE well in the music...

·       ...with abounding joy and a sincere heart (like when David danced before the Lord).

1 Corinthians 14:15 says: “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.” Music and singing are not to be mindless exercises. They are not to become merely emotional trips to make us feel good and forget our troubles for a little while. God gave us music that we might use it to praise Him, and to tell others about Him.

The following song was composed by a wonderful Christian musician, Dr. Don Hustad, who for many years served as Director of the Sacred Music Department at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. It expresses in the form of a prayer what I believe should be the desire of every church musician when we open our mouths to sing. It is entitled, “A Prayer Before Singing.”

A song is a beautiful thing—

Voices join in full-throated melody,

And lift to blend in glorious harmony.

Men’s hearts are moved,

E’en lifted to ecstasy with a song,

For a song is a beautiful thing.

But when I sing, Lord,

Let it not be for this alone,

Lest fruitless I be when day is done.

Touch Thou my lips,

Thy beauty let me see,

And fill my heart with love eternally,

That men may come to know and adore Thee.

Lord, this prayer I bring.

Lord, for Thee I sing. 

A Biblical Philosophy of Ministry for Worship Teams:

1. Worship is primarily for the praise and glory of God. As we come together for worship, God is exalted and enthroned in our midst. However, the Bible also teaches that “the joy of the Lord is our strength” and we know that it is only as we learn to worship in His presence that we can experience such joy and find such strength. Thus, we see that our worship not only blesses God, but it also refreshes and strengthens us in our walk with Him.

2. The Scriptures say that corporate worship, along with everything else we do, should “be done decently and in order.” It should also be done in a way that is both understandable to the non-believer as well as edifying to the believer. The Lord is always seeking those who will worship Him “in spirit and in truth.” God is not looking for a specific technique of worship but is, in fact, looking at the hearts of the worshipers. Our goal as leaders is to assist people to worship spontaneously and from the heart. For this reason, we avoid any sort of manipulation. For example, although the raising of the hands is clearly a biblical form of worship, in our day and culture many people find it uncomfortable and somewhat embarrassing; thus, we believe it should be left up to the individual to decide whether to raise the hands. We try not to be artificial or gimmicky, pushing people’s buttons or pulling their strings.

3. Music Team members should see themselves as facilitators. Our main mission is to create an environment conducive to worship in which people become aware of the Lord’s presence and feel totally free to adore and praise Him. Ours is not primarily a performance ministry, but rather, a helps ministry, assisting the whole congregation to offer up their praise, thanksgiving, and adoration to an audience of One—the Living Triune God.

4. On the other hand, as Christians worship the Lord in a church service setting, unbelievers who are present should find themselves being lifted and drawn toward Him. A worship celebration service can be a powerful evangelistic tool. We want to so involve people that they find themselves verbalizing the truths of God through the songs. This will plant the seeds in their hearts that the Holy Spirit can then use to bring them to full faith in Christ. In every service we strive to maintain a high-quality level of presentation so as not to detract from the message by amateurism. God always deserves our absolute best, but we are also concerned with quality for the sake of those we are trying to reach. Bad playing and awful singing make it hard for people to concentrate on worship.

5. Music Team members therefore need to have at least a fundamental knowledge of musicianship to not hinder the rest of the group. The ability to read music, for example, is certainly a plus. People who desire to join the Music Team must therefore be willing to undergo a musical evaluation or perhaps an audition to determine if they indeed have the musical qualifications to fit into the team. However, musical ability is not enough. Each of us must also be a life-style worshiper. We cannot take other people where we have never been ourselves. Our worship leading on Sunday should simply be the overflow of our personal times with God throughout the week. Therefore, the Worship Team Leader and/or the Pastor, based on the person’s testimony and walk with the Lord, will also evaluate those wishing to serve in music ministry. If a person does not demonstrate Christian maturity and consistency, he should not be in front of the congregation mouthing things that are not true for him. In such a case the person will be asked to step out of the music/worship ministry. Diversity in talents, styles, and personalities enriches the ministry but disharmony in every sense of the word is to be avoided.

6. When we speak of the Music Team we are reminded of the extreme importance of unity in this group. The church music ministry is perhaps the devil’s favorite playground. We can leave no space open for rivalry or ego trips. As team members we must be willing to lay aside our personal agendas or pet ideas. This may mean certain sacrifices so that the group will be unified in its main mission of being a helps ministry to the congregation in worship. We are not looking for Lone Ranger talents who want to be seen of men. We need team players that want to serve God. If it becomes obvious that a member of the team is promoting some sort of personal agenda and creating disunity, that person will be removed from this ministry.

7. The Music Team Leader is responsible for working alongside the Pastor in planning and organizing the services. This includes thematic planning using congregational music, specials, dramas, and testimonies that complement the Bible teaching. Moreover, the Leader coordinates the rehearsals of the Music Team. However, it is also the Leader’s job to utilize team members to their fullest, giving them opportunities to share ideas and use their talents in singing, speaking, and playing. We certainly want to make room for people to grow in their up-front leadership skills. However, as the team stands before the congregation no one should be perceived as “the star.” On-platform leadership is shared so that only the LORD is exalted. However, for the sake of order, accountability, and continuity, the Music Team Leader is the person responsible for overseeing the music/worship ministry. In any kind of organization, the buck must stop somewhere, and visionary leadership is always essential for any group’s growth and advancement.

8. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a person be found faithful.” In our service for God and in the stewardship of our talents, faithfulness is of utmost importance. Music ministry requires dedication, effort, time, and teamwork. Musicians must be prepared to put in the hours and hard work to do it right. Members need to be faithful in showing up on time for rehearsals and for services. If emergencies arise the Team Leader should be promptly notified without fail. Faithfulness includes showing up for church with a prepared heart before God so that He can use us. Ours is probably the most visible ministry in the church apart from the pastor’s role. It is therefore the one that always seems to draw the most criticism. The Music Team often gets shot at from both sides—from the traditionalists as well as from the progressives. We must keep our focus on the Lord and be faithful to Him and to His Word, for He is the One we most want to please.

10 Necessary Attitudes for Music Team Members:

1. A reverent spirit in the church service. The musicians set the mood and should provide a model of behavior and deportment for the rest of the congregation. 

2. Joyousness in serving. Singing and/or playing are your love-gift contribution to the Lord in the church service, and if it cannot be made with free-flowing joy it should not be done at all.

3. Attentiveness. This is a worthy goal, not only in the services where attention should be paid to the pastor as well as the service leader, but also in rehearsals. A music leader cannot do good work unless he has the whole attention of the entire music team.

4. Cooperation. Not only must each team member cooperate in following the leader’s suggestions, but also there must be a spirit of cooperation in all extra-musical duties of the group [e.g., setup, tear-down, cleanup, etc.].

5. Punctuality.  The musicians must arrive in plenty of time for both the services and the rehearsals, and must conscientiously stay through the entire allotted time, except for extraordinary reasons.

6. Faithfulness. The Music Team leader cannot properly function if he cannot rely on team members’ faithful attendance at both rehearsals and services. On rare occasions when musicians must be absent, the leader should be notified as far in advance as possible.

7. Teamwork. Not only in singing and playing, but also in the little things that go along with any musical performance, such as standing and sitting, entering and exiting the platform, holding the microphone, handling your instruments, etc., members should act as a team. Moreover, they should pray for one another and recognize that their teamwork on the platform is an extension of their genuine oneness, being truly united in serving the Lord.

8. Inconspicuousness. The blend of voices and instruments and the uniformity of motions are only part of the oneness that makes a good musical team. No single person should stand out conspicuously, drawing attention to himself/herself. The goal is always to make Christ more visible. John the Baptist expressed it well: “He must increase, and I must decrease.” Care should be taken in the choice of clothes, jewelry, and accessories to not draw attention to us. Chewing gum, crop-tops, baseball caps, shorts, and raggedy jeans are absolutely banished! In all respects, each team member should be neat and clean, and every effort should be made to keep even physical mannerisms and facial expressions as inconspicuous as possible.

9. Self-improvement. With the help of the team leader, every member of the music team should take every opportunity offered to increase his/her knowledge and understanding of music, ability in sight-reading and musical performance, and comprehension of the function of music in the worship service. These skills can be honed through workshops, musicians’ retreats, and worship seminars.

10. Unselfishness. The nine points listed above are really summed up in this last point, which goes even beyond the other nine in suggesting the spirit in which we should serve the congregation and the Lord. As musicians standing before God’s people, our goal must be to point people to the Savior. A worship service is not a performance, at least not by the world’s definition. Rather, it is a sacrifice, offered up to the Lord from holy hands and grateful hearts. We provide a vehicle by which the praises of the people can be lifted to Him. There is no place on the platform for pride, for the desire to be seen and adored, to showcase our talents and high notes, or to try out our fancy new bass guitar licks.

Building-Blocks for Worship Services:

There are many ways to express our worship and our thanks to God. However, as humans we tend to fall into habitual patterns of doing things in the same way repeatedly and losing track of why we do what we do. Churches are subject to this same tendency. One of the challenges for leaders is to find new and fresh ways of helping the congregation experience and sense the presence of God and to offer up their sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. Below are some suggestions for varying the worship service and keeping things real, thoughtful, genuine, and spontaneous. These are “tools” in the toolbox of those who plan and lead times of public congregational worship.

Music:

®  Congregational singing

®  So called “special music”—i.e., solos, duets, quartets, etc.

®  Instrumental music with explanation or testimony

®  Songs composed by members of the congregation

®  A cappella singing

Testimonies:

®  Sometimes impromptu from volunteers

®  Sometimes planned with a person invited to speak, fitting into the service theme 

Dance:

®  Interpretive dance, hula, or ballet to act out a spiritual truth or a story

®  Worship dance/movement (Jewish style)

Graphic arts:

®  Photomontage on video screen to go along with the music

®  Chalk drawing (black light)

®  Sculpting on the platform as a sermon illustration

®  Using worship banners/flags in the sanctuary

®  PowerPoint type presentations:

§  Standalone shows, or with singing and instrumental music

§  Slides or videos to enhance the preaching

Prayers:

®  Pastoral prayer

®  Small group “huddles” of 4-5 people throughout the auditorium

®  Group prayer time (people praying aloud, one at a time)

®  Intercession

®  Prayers for healing (with anointing oil)

®  Various prayer positions (i.e. kneeling, hands raised to heaven, etc.)

Drama:

®  Worship sketches used to teach a single truth or enhance a sermon point

®  Longer dramas that portray a wider story with a moral/conclusion followed by group discussion and feedback

®  Mime

Fellowship moments:

®  The “kiss of peace” or a “holy hug” or a particular directed greeting

®  Greeting one another and new people

®  Assignment to learn something new about one another

Silence:

®  To reflect on a Biblical truth (e.g., “Selah” in the Psalms)

®  For personal reflection and confession

®  To emphasize the majesty of God (“Be still and know that I am God.”)

®  To meditate on a particular passage from God’s Word before sharing an insight

Offerings of Praise and Thanksgiving:

®  Through musical expressions

®  Through spoken testimonies

Scripture readings:

®  One person reading to the whole group

®  Group readings (choral recitation/reader’s theater style)

®  Unison congregational readings

®  Antiphonal readings (call and response style)

Giving of tithes and offerings:

®  Passing the plate to seated worshipers

®  Worshipers going to the altar to offer their gifts to God

®  Special offerings to meet special needs

®  Deacon’s Offering on Communion Sunday

The Ordinances:

®  THE LORD’S SUPPER:

§  Congregants stay seated while being served

§  Congregants come forward to the table to be served by the pastor or an elder

§  Congregants come forward to the table to serve themselves and/or one another

®  BELIEVER’S BAPTISM:

§  At the beginning of the service, or at the end

§  Give opportunities for testimonies from the candidates and the congregation

Various body positions:

®  Standing, sitting, kneeling, prostrate before God

®  Hands raised, folded, holding someone else’s hand for singing or prayer

®  Clapping hands as a praise offering

®  Action songs (with hand/body gestures)

Involvement of all Five Senses: (taste, touch, smell, hearing, seeing)

®  Use fragrant candles, incense, and flowers/plants to create a pleasant sensation

®  Draw attention to the taste and smell of the fresh baked bread and the wine

®  Employ stained glass windows, symbols, and ceremonies

®  Use Scripture verses on large banners to be hung or carried

®  The oil of anointing, the laying on of hands, holding hands for prayer, etc.

Top 10 Characteristics of an Effective Team:

If you do an online search for “Characteristics of Successful Teams” or something along those lines, you will be bombarded with scores of sites listing the qualities that make teams function successfully. The lists are not exactly alike but if you read through a few of them you will quickly notice that certain qualities pop up repeatedly. What struck me was how similar those lists are because many people have come to the same conclusions. It doesn’t matter what kind of team we’re talking about—rugby team, basketball team, music team, worship team, etc.—because these principles are valid pretty much universally. For the sake of discussion, I stole the following list of 10 characteristics from The Knowledge Academy website (see web address below). In a church music/worship team context these will be fleshed out a bit differently than say, in a sports team context but they are all worth exploring.

1) Good Communication

Open and honest communication is the pillar of effective teamwork. It ensures alignment, fosters understanding, and encourages the free exchange of ideas. Clear communication enhances collaboration and boosts overall productivity.

2) Defined Goals

Establishing clear, purpose-driven, and attainable goals is crucial. When team members understand their objectives, they stay focused, work efficiently, and contribute toward meaningful outcomes. 

3) Team Sense of Belonging

A team that fosters trust and mutual respect enhances engagement and commitment. When members feel valued and connected, they are more likely to contribute actively to the team’s success.

4) Strong Leadership

Effective leadership provides direction, motivation, and proactive problem-solving. A strong leader sets the benchmark for collaboration, aligns the team with its vision, and drives progress.

5) Assigned Roles

Assigning specific responsibilities and roles ensures accountability and prevents confusion. Clarity in roles allows each team member to concentrate on their pros and contribute effectively. 

6) Constructive Feedback

Regular, constructive feedback is essential for continuous improvement. It helps team members understand their performance, identify development areas, and fosters a culture of learning and growth. 

7) Positive Attitude

A positive team mindset promotes resilience and adaptability. Optimism boosts motivation, enhances problem-solving, and creates a supportive and engaging work environment.

8) Adaptability

In a fast-paced work environment, adaptability serves as a key. Effective teams embrace change, remain flexible, and adjust their strategies as needed. A willingness to learn and evolve ensures long-term success and resilience in the realm of challenges.

9) Conflict Resolution

Effective teams address conflicts constructively and promptly. Rather than seeing conflicts as roadblocks, they view them as opportunities for growth and work collaboratively to find solutions. 

10) Collaboration

True collaboration involves leveraging diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals. It enhances creativity, problem-solving skills, and leads to more innovative solutions.

[Stolen from https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/blog/characteristics-of-an-effective-team/ ]

Random Observations About Service Planning Dos & Don'ts:

This section is a work in progress and reflects some of my personal opinions. Thoughts come to me at odd times. Sometimes it happens while I am sitting in church. Sometimes I observe things while watching church services on TV. Sometimes thoughts come while reading the Word or a Christian book, or while driving down the road. This is where I go to write down things quickly, before the thought takes wings and flies away. These are in no logical order and may seem disconnected from one another, but hopefully all will be valid or at least worth pondering and discussing. Also, having been a pastor, missionary, musician, and worship leader for five decades, I have learned a lot of things through trial and error. I have tried to record some of those insights here.

1.    A worship service should not be chopped up into disconnected bits, but allowed to flow, building one thing upon another toward a focal point. Continuity is important. In the same way that we would not normally think of putting the announcements or a song in the middle of the sermon, likewise we should not break up the worship portion of the service with things that are not worship.  

2.    Lose the “Meet-n-Greet” time. It freaks out visitors. A simple welcome at the beginning of the service from the pastor or service leader is sufficient. In multiple surveys first time attendees respond that the greeting time is the most embarrassing and uncomfortable part of the whole experience. Moreover, it is a waste of time. Not only does it destroy the flow of the service, but it is unnecessary because the people have already been meeting and greeting for 10-15 minutes as they came into the building. For more on this subject here’s a good little article by Thom Rainer: https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/first-person-should-churches-have-stand-and-greet-times/

3.    If you must have announcements, put them at the very end of the service, but certainly not in the middle of the worship portion. Announcements are not worship, ever, and they break the continuity. Keep the announcements to one or two items at the most and make them very brief. Don’t rehash the things that are already clearly explained in the bulletin. Another option is to have the announcements just before the sermon. Then let the congregation stand for a minute or so while the pastor comes to the platform and gets setup.

4.    Never have the opening hymn in the minor mode but choose a well-known, up-tempo praise song that focuses everyone's attention on the Lord. This helps set the tone for the service and fixes our eyes on the One we have come to adore.

5.    Leave the lights on during the singing. Darkness does not encourage or advance leiturgia, the "people work" of worship, because it spotlights the wrong people. The platform musicians are not the stars of the show.

6.    Stop making the congregation stand up for every song. The practice serves no purpose and has no historical or biblical provenance, whereas standing for the reading of Scripture honors God and His Word and dates to the time of Ezra (cf. Nehemiah 8:5) or even earlier. Our customs and practices should be purposeful and not arbitrary. If you are going to ask everyone to stand, have a good reason for it.

7.    Music styles have become such a bone of contention that some churches have gone to two morning services with one service singing only hymns and the other using only contemporary praise music. I think that is a terrible idea. The quality of sacred music has absolutely nothing to do with its age or with its musical style. Rather it has everything to do with its theological accuracy, its artistic quality, and its congregational singability. Moreover, there is no such thing as “sinful” or “sanctified” music styles. Think about this. Christians live all over the world and they use their own cultural music forms and styles to express their worship and the joy they feel in knowing Christ. Don't get hung up on style. There is nothing sinful about singing a joyful praise song in a happy Bossa Nova groove.

8.    Where do we find new music? (1) Avoid using songs from unbiblical groups no matter how good the song might be. These groups use their music to promote their heretical views and recruit new followers. Some examples: Hillsong, Vinyard Music, Jesus Culture, Elevation Church, Bethel Music, etc. All of these have contributed to the pentecostalization of evangelical worship. (2) Choose songs that were written specifically to be sung by congregations rather than by Christian entertainment groups. (3) Ignore the age of the song. Good is good, no matter how old the song is. (4) Try not to be a groupie, snapping up the newest praise song just because you heard it on the radio and your favorite Christian boyband included it on their newest CD/DVD. Most of that presentation music is not singable by average people.

9.    If you are leading the singing don't change the melody and chords of a song just to put your personal stamp on it. Stick to the music and don't monkey with the key, the tune, or the lyrics. When you change the chord progression and/or key of the song to fit your own taste or to make it easier for you to sing it you make it nearly impossible for people who know the song to sing parts. It is pitched where it is for maximum congregational singability. If necessary, have one of the other vocalists take the lead. I recently saw a leader do “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” in the key of G instead of D where it is supposed to be pitched. That made it nearly impossible to sing parts and it drained all the power and energy out of the song.

10. “What is the most important part of a worship service?” How would Jesus answer this question? Which do you think is the part He likes best? Is it the part where one guy stands up and preaches for 45 minutes while everybody else sits quietly and listens? Or is it maybe the part where every person in the auditorium is singing joyfully in expressions of praise, adoration, and gratitude to God, and giving testimony of His blessings in their lives? The correct answer is that the worship/praise time is at least as important as the teaching/preaching segment. Our service planning should reflect this truth.

11. The weekly music team practice should function like a growth group. Lasting 1½ – 2 hours, it starts with a short devotional, a time of sharing, and a round of prayer. Three packets of music will be rehearsed each week, one for 2 weeks out, another for next Sunday, the third packet for this coming Sunday. Then everyone is expected to arrive early on Sunday for a quick run-through before the service starts.

12. In the order of service, it’s best to place the pastoral prayer just before the 1-minute stretch-time prior to the sermon. Pastoral prayers should be as inclusive as possible, worldwide in scope. Praying for the physical ailments of individual church members is important but this should not be the focus of the pastoral prayer. Prayers for specific individuals should be saved for Sunday school classes, small group studies, or other more intimate settings. The Sunday AM pastoral prayer should be seen as a priestly prayer, offering up praise and adoration to God on behalf of the congregation, leading the people in confession and then declaring the promise of 1 John 1:9 and assuring them of the Father’s forgiveness. Prayer should be offered for our leaders and for our nation, for our world and world leaders. Pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for the other evangelical churches in the community, etc.

13. Aim for as much congregational participation as you can build in. The service should provide opportunities for prayers, testimonies, scripture readings, and special songs. The more people that are involved the better the service will be.

14. New songs should be introduced to the congregation via special music, at least for the first run-through. Then put the song in the service lineup for the next two Sundays. We should not spring new songs on people and just expect them to sing them the first time around. Building the congregation’s repertoire takes time and careful planning.

15. The men in the congregation are the proverbial canary in the mine. If they are not singing, then something is wrong. (A) The song is not relatable to them or says things they don't feel comfortable saying or singing. (B) The song is too difficult to sing. It might be too high or too low, have too many strange intervals, or have a complicated melodic line. (C) The worship leaders are not inspiring to the men. (D) The songs are too touchy-feely and girly for men to feel comfortable singing them. Try singing some “man songs” and see if it makes a difference. Songs like: “Be Bold, Be Strong,” “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” “There Is Power in the Blood,” “Trust and Obey,” and “How Great Thou Art.”

16. This one is going to get me into trouble, but the question needs to be asked. What about women service leaders? Is it OK for women to lead worship? I believe that it is significant that the musicians in the OT were all male priests and that for 2,000 years of Church History the role of leading music/worship was seen as a pastoral ministry. Women leading worship is a relatively recent phenomenon, starting in the Pentecostal movement in the early 20th century then spreading to liberal mainline churches and finally spreading to evangelical churches. In my opinion it is a bad idea and is part of the unfortunate feminization of Christianity. It inevitably results in more emotion-based songs and less male participation in the services. The truth is that men want to be led by men. They tend to resent female bosses and leaders. That is why all combat officers and front-line NCOs are men. It is the same in church. Men respond better to male worship leaders. It is part of the natural order. These days a lot of women find this fact unacceptable, barbaric, misogynistic, hurtful, and anachronistic. But I believe that worship leading falls under the same instructions as other aspects of pastoral leadership and is governed by 1 Timothy 2:11-15; 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9. Having said all that, I believe that women can and should be part of the music/worship team. They can sing, speak, pray and introduce songs, etc. No problem. But I believe the leader of the music/worship ministry should be a qualified male. Call me old fashioned but hey, let’s talk. On this subject I recommend an excellent article by Scott Aniol of G3 Ministries entitled “Who Leads Worship?” https://g3min.org/who-leads-worship/

17. What about the question of children in the service? Should families keep their children with them through the whole service? Should the kids have their own teaching time? My personal view is that the children should stay in the service for the whole first half, the worship portion. Then they can be released for an age-appropriate Bible lesson while the pastor is preaching. However, I believe that they should be present for the worship portion of the service so that they can learn the songs and hear the stories and testimonies of how God has been working in the lives of the congregation. I suggest that the children be excused during the last hymn or the one-minute stretch break between the pastoral prayer and the start of the sermon.

18. And now, a word about tech teams. Tech people can make or break a service. Incompetent, lazy, or inattentive people on the board and/or the computer can throw a monkey wrench into the smooth running of the service by tripping up the musicians and taking the congregation’s attention off their purpose for being there, i.e., worship and adoration of the Living Triune God. For this reason, the tech people who will be operating the audio/video/lighting equipment on Sunday must be at the mid-week rehearsals of the worship team. They are an integral part of the worship team and must have the same level of dedication and commitment as the musicians.

19. A major shift has occurred in Evangelical churches over the past approximately 20 years. For the previous 150 years most churches used hymnals, providing song books in every pew. This old scheme had the advantage of enhancing congregational singing because many people had at least a working knowledge of how to read music, so this facilitated singing in 4-part harmony. When we ditched the hymnals, it left people at sea as far as singing parts. Hymnals also served as an anchor, providing a musical foundation for our faith. Today however, we find ourselves singing many songs that have not been vetted, have not been sifted to weed out the junk. For this reason, it becomes even more important to have theologically trained musicians who can spot bad theology before it makes its way into the Sunday music lineup. The church also needs trained musicians who can spot music that lacks artistic credibility and is unsuited for congregational singing.

20. Now a word to worship team vocalists… I have observed a phenomenon that I am not sure how to explain. It seems like a lot of church singers switch on a strange fakey Southern accent the minute they pick up their guitar and start singing. Just listen to contemporary Christian praise bands on the radio and you’ll see what I mean. People from places like California, Maine, and Michigan suddenly start singing like they came from Nashville, Houston, or Atlanta. It’s weird. Yes, I’m being a little bit snarky here, but as worship leaders we should be as genuine as possible. If you are really from Texas then hey, no problem. But don’t adopt a vocal persona just because you think it sounds cool. Be you and don’t sing with a voice that isn’t you.