I’ve been asking people for the critical issues to which one must attend for congregations wanting to head in new directions. Music is a recurring theme. Here’s a response to KT’s observations about the decisive role that music plays in forming congregations:
Music…one of my favourite things! I’ve always belonged to a small, rural congregation, and our services are very traditional. The last few years we’ve been visiting our daughter’s contempory service, and we love the music! They have a praise band, and the words to the hymns/songs are projected on a screen. Although it’s hard to imagine that our congregation will ever have a praise band, ( but I do believe in miracles!) the Sunday School is saving to buy a projector, and I hope to use some CD’s to encorporate a different style of worship music into some of our services.
I feel that our congregation has moved past the desperate stage, but we can’t stay complacent. I do believe that music is one part of the service that can be very inviting…or a huge stumbling block.
Has anyone had some success with any particular CD’s?
This post raises the dilemma of live musicians versus recorded music. People are used to both the quality of professionally recorded music and to the multiplicity of instruments in CD’s. And, not all traditionally trained musicians can make the transition to some of the contemporary rhythms.
However, there are lots of questions that the use of CD’s raises: Is it better to accept the gifts of the people who are in the congregation –because that is more authentic — even though doing so limits the kinds of music that the congregation uses to praise God? Is it faithful to restrict the music a congregation uses to the preferences of one particular generation? Are there ways in which we can make a place for all generations to offer praise to God in music that gives expression to their faith?
Obviously, based on the responses received so far, the role of music in forming a congregation needs careful attention.
I lead worship in a multicultural/multigenerational setting. We typically try to do the songs live, but in some cases, I decide to use my mp3 player. Part of the reason of this is to break the idea of what we think worship is supposed to be like. There are various forms and styles.
I am intrigued by your idea of breaking the ‘idea of what we think worship is supposed to be like’. Last Advent, Will Willimon blogged about how often in the scriptures the stance of the church is ‘being asleep’. The challenge is to stay awake and alert to the work God is doing. If using an mp3 player helps to unsettle us and bring new attention to worship, that’s a good thing.
Perhaps I’m way off mark with my comment here… I hope I am not but here it is none the less.
Music; I have witnessed can be the breaking point of a church as well as the saving grace – so to speak. And I agree very much with the last comment “the role of music in forming a congregation needs careful attention” and may I also add, consideration?
In regards to success with CD’s I can only say that I have tried it once and with little success. However I believe that at the time our congregation, while starved for music, was not ready for a CD but rather at that point needed music in the physical sense.
I have traveled a long and rocky path with one certain small town congregation and can only say that from my limited personal experience I have seen healing through music in a congregation that has faced much difficulty.
One of the most important lessons that I have learned while on that track with them is that if the congregation its self is not excited then its not going to work. If the energy to support it is not present then you have set your self up for failure. (Harsh words I know…)
As a musician who now travels to other small town (and sometimes large) Churches to share with them a love for music that can be almost akin to a bizarre form of testimony (through music). All I can say is this:
SHOW them your Love for what you are doing and you will help light a fire that very well could help put the much needed pieces in place for successful Music ministry within a church.
(That showing of Love as you know is a foundational building block for MANY other things within a church, not just Music).
If people see the you are in Love with what you are doing, it is contagious and before you know it the small flame has become a burning fire. Difficult work, yes, but often times much needed within our congregations.
Once again my simple two cents gathered only from personal experience on a road long traveled.