Project Description

2015/03

What makes Good Church Music?

Blogs, books, posts, positions. A Google search for “glorifying God in our music” yields 1,410,000 items, so it is easy to see that much has been (and is being) written about music in worship; nearly everyone has something to say about the topic. Allow me to offer some brief thoughts on this important subject, and the next search will yield 1,410,001!

What is our mission as Christians? Nearly every business, school, church, or organization has a mission statement summarizing its goals. Many include information on how they govern themselves and the process by which decisions are made. The mission statement for believers is found in the answer to the first question in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever”. This reflects the truth of I Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb will enjoy Him forever, for no man will pluck them out of His hand (cf John 10:28). However, glorifying God in our everyday lives sometimes brings challenges. So, how do we honour Him and glorify His name in music in the worship services of our churches?

We begin by realizing that He is the theme of our song. He alone is worthy. We remind ourselves of who we are in Christ and what we have in Him; we testify to Him and of Him for what He has done in reconciling us to Himself. Songs in Scripture warrant our study for their theme and content. Consider Mary’s response to the news that she would bring forth the One Who would save His people from their sins. She was overwhelmed at God’s goodness to her; her song is filled with joy and gratitude, with a desire to magnify and exalt the Lord. (Luke 1:46-54) She “is adoring God for being what He is and this is the very essence of Christian worship and of Christian praise.” (Lloyd-Jones) This is a worthy goal for songs we sing and instrumental offerings we provide!  Mary’s song provides a good outline to test the strength of what we use in worship. We, like Mary, have reasons to praise Him.

The Apostle Paul tells us that we are to praise the Lord with “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16), and we possess a rich heritage of these forms today. We sing from the Psalter; we love hymns that come from the Reformation (‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God’) and beyond; and our hymnals include spiritual songs such as “Blessed Assurance.”

We are commanded to “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15) But what does this look like and what does it sound like? While we have dozens of references to music in Scripture, tunes have not been preserved. We do, though, have principles that guide us, and we have a rich history of hymnody that provides examples of “things that are excellent.” (Philippians 1:10) The challenges come in working through the applications of principles derived from Scripture; that is where discernment is needed.

We are to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) We must examine, analyse, and compare things with understanding and discernment. Good men may differ in application. We may get varying opinions from trained musicians, but we must still examine and analyse the music to see that it is worthy in the light of Scripture. Along with the music, we must go further and make sure that our use of a composer’s music does not imply an endorsement of unscriptural teaching. God’s Word “contains all that is necessary for the faith and practice of the people of God” (Book of Church Order, FPCNA) and the Holy Spirit will guide us to make wise choices – choices that confirm our mission of glorifying God – and allow us to set our musical and spiritual compass toward things that honour His name.

Scripture requires separation unto holiness, and the music we use must reflect the nature of our God. “Tunes and music that identify with worldly environments [i.e., genres such as rock, jazz, rap, Contemporary Christian, etc.] have no place in the worship of God. The consciousness of God’s holiness should strongly influence the kind of music brought into His presence to praise Him and to offer the thanksgiving He deserves.” (Ibid)

In proving our music, we may be prone to disregard things that are new and cling to things that are old. The date of composition may not be a primary concern for there will be things composed in 2015 that are appropriate and honouring to God while things written many years ago – perhaps even some of our favourites – may be weak theologically and musically. Most congregations sing a variety of tunes: older hymns which have been tested and have risen, like cream, to the top; newer melodies which have been wedded to old texts; and pieces by contemporary poets with strong tunes. One that is enjoying immense favour in the United States is “His Robes for Mine” by Chris Anderson. (See www.churchworksmedia.com)

Music is a natural part of a believer’s worship; it is not a ‘fill in’ until the preaching; it is that “fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15) We are to “make a joyful noise unto the LORD….come before his presence with singing….Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” (Psalm 100:1-4)

“Worship is the highest calling of the believer. It is the centre jewel on the crown of Christian discipleship.” (Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible) Therefore, it behoves us to see that all we do in our worship – from the reading of Scripture, to the preaching of the Word, to the music we use – honours and glorifies the One Who alone is worthy to be praised.

May all of our music conform to the mission statement of a believer: glorifying God and enjoying Him forever!

Ed Dunba.