I found this interview very refreshing. Honest, funny, a lovely use of talents to both show where Jesus fits in to a life and how faithfully following Him meets the challenge of reality and gives joy.
Good point, J. John, about choruses. I and other organists call them 7-11 songs, 7 words repeated 11 times. And your question, "Is God deaf?" Some churches are wilder and louder than bars. I find such loud music drives every sane thought from one's mind. Maybe that's the purpose. However, in all fairness, I don't blame the musicians. For someone to serve in the sound booth, it must be a prerequisite to be deaf. Often the harmony of the singers is excellent, but the way the instruments are juiced up, one can't hear the lyrics.
I think that “relevancy” has become an idol of some churches. We have handed our congregations more of the culture that we hope to extricate them from and call it worship. Not that anything is wrong with the new music (my husband and I traveled internationally in the 70s with a Christian rock ‘n’ roll band. Our goal, however, was evangelism and not worship). So many of the newer songs are not theological, not musically interesting, and often times difficult for congregations to sing as they are more styles for a soloist. Also, is not the worship the entirety of the service or is it only the musical portion of the service. I thought that giving was worship, that hearing scripture was worship and explanation of the scripture was worship. Why do we call music worship but not the rest of the service?
I have such respect for this unassuming, humble man who so clearly loves his Lord!
I found this interview very refreshing. Honest, funny, a lovely use of talents to both show where Jesus fits in to a life and how faithfully following Him meets the challenge of reality and gives joy.
Very bless full interview God bless you brother matt
Hi there from Singapore! Wish you'd have a wonderful week =)
very good interview.
Good point, J. John, about choruses. I and other organists call them 7-11 songs, 7 words repeated 11 times. And your question, "Is God deaf?" Some churches are wilder and louder than bars. I find such loud music drives every sane thought from one's mind. Maybe that's the purpose. However, in all fairness, I don't blame the musicians. For someone to serve in the sound booth, it must be a prerequisite to be deaf. Often the harmony of the singers is excellent, but the way the instruments are juiced up, one can't hear the lyrics.
I think that “relevancy” has become an idol of some churches. We have handed our congregations more of the culture that we hope to extricate them from and call it worship. Not that anything is wrong with the new music (my husband and I traveled internationally in the 70s with a Christian rock ‘n’ roll band. Our goal, however, was evangelism and not worship). So many of the newer songs are not theological, not musically interesting, and often times difficult for congregations to sing as they are more styles for a soloist. Also, is not the worship the entirety of the service or is it only the musical portion of the service. I thought that giving was worship, that hearing scripture was worship and explanation of the scripture was worship. Why do we call music worship but not the rest of the service?
Also, does the liturgy serve the music or does music serve the liturgy?