My grown children still suffer under the parental edict banning the playing of Christmas music before the day after Thanksgiving. I won't say they don't listen - but I know they feel guilty if they do, or they feel they have to justify it! And to be honest, I think they have come to appreciate the edict and enjoy its payoff on what shoppers call "Black Friday." We stay home and make it a day of light.
I mean, how else to make "Advent" a season of preparation? How else to guard against being jaded against the glut of Christmas music?
To be honest, the ban began long ago in our home. Because I have to listen to the music and prepare scores then rehearse pieces for choir, I just didn't want to hear more of it at home. Pretty selfish, eh? But then the day after Thanksgiving became this magic day in our home. The LPs - then the tapes, and then the CDs, and now the iTunes - come out, the stereos are turned up to "11" and the decorations come out. After Thanksgiving Friday, the next time we will all be together will be our festive Christmas Eve dinner - when again the stereo will accompany our preparations and draw us together with music and drama of the Nativity. (More on that night later this season.)
One of my sons prompted this reflection today by sending me a link to a new song by Paul Simon, "Gettin' Ready." Pat's subject heading, "for the day after Thanksgiving," was his nod to the ban. But I'm sure he knew I was hooked when I saw the link to a Paul Simon song. (Busted - I am a huge Simon fan.) My self-justification is that (a) I am at work and free to listen to Christmas music any time I need to; and (b) it isn't a Christmas song, per se, but an Advent song!
Yes, perhaps my children have also learned from me to how to justify breaking the ban.
Click here to hear "Gettin' Ready" and ... um,
Sing on!
17 November 2010
20 October 2010
Doxological Evangelism
That's a fancy term for what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 14 - the passage to be preached this coming Sunday morning. Making his way to the end of his teaching on the spiritual gifts, Paul walks that discussion into the gathering that we call "worship." Here, he says, is what the exercise of gifts looks like on Sunday morning (as it were)!
"Doxological evangelism" is a phrase gaining broad use these days. It pretty much means that when believers engage in authentic gathered worship, and unbelievers see us at it, our worship has an evangelistic impact.\: from our praise (doxology) to their confession of faith (evangelism).
The passage walks the Corinthian church through the questions and issues related to speaking in tongues. Paul argues that plain words of proclamation (prophecy) have a greater impact on hearers, believers and unbelievers alike. We take this to mean, in our context, that our reading, praying, and preaching must be both faithful to the scripture and understandable to those who are not yet believers.
How does this apply to music? Well, first we note that Paul uses musical examples throughout this chapter:
If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? (1 Cor. 14:7-8) And in the next paragraph: What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. (v. 15) Now, these are just examples Paul gives, but note that with them he has introduced music into the discussion. And - this is an observation that begs further exploration - he does so in a way that explains his transitional verse, 14:26. For which, read on!
The "end game" of Paul's argument about understandability is this: But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. (vv. 24-25) That is "doxological evangelism." But, you say, the chapter is about prophecy versus tongues. How does music fit in?
1 Cor. 14:26-27: What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (emphasis added) In our worship, and in our worship's evangelistic potential, singing plays a part. The things brought into the gathering include "a hymn" - which is useful along with all the other gifts in this list, "for building up." This hymn, then, is also a feature of the total impact on the unbeliever in the assembly. It must meet the same criteria as the lesson, revelation, tongue/interpretation. It is to be, in other words, prophetic.
This is why we take such care with what we sing. It is also why we choose the ways we sing. We want all who assemble to be able to sing with clarity the words chosen to be sung. Great care, and much prayer, has to guide these choices so that the church is built even through our singing, and that those "looking in" will see God among us!
A fascinating connection, which I am just now seeing: In 1 Cor. 14:7, Paul mentions the flute and harp. In verse 26 he mentions hymns. The AV and NAS translate (transliterate?) the word driectly from Greek: psalm. The New Testament uses two words for the verb "to sing" - in effect "to psalm" which implies instrumental and vocal music together, and "to sing" which is never used in relation to instruments. So, for example, in Ephesians Eph. 5:19, we read: addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and psalming [making melody] to the Lord with all your heart ... Well, a little tidbit which I am beginning to think is not "trivia" but further insight into the Corinthian church. Were there instruments at use? It is entirely possible. And these, too, as in the Temple, may be a part of our doxological evangelism.
Sing on!
"Doxological evangelism" is a phrase gaining broad use these days. It pretty much means that when believers engage in authentic gathered worship, and unbelievers see us at it, our worship has an evangelistic impact.\: from our praise (doxology) to their confession of faith (evangelism).
The passage walks the Corinthian church through the questions and issues related to speaking in tongues. Paul argues that plain words of proclamation (prophecy) have a greater impact on hearers, believers and unbelievers alike. We take this to mean, in our context, that our reading, praying, and preaching must be both faithful to the scripture and understandable to those who are not yet believers.
How does this apply to music? Well, first we note that Paul uses musical examples throughout this chapter:
If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? (1 Cor. 14:7-8) And in the next paragraph: What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. (v. 15) Now, these are just examples Paul gives, but note that with them he has introduced music into the discussion. And - this is an observation that begs further exploration - he does so in a way that explains his transitional verse, 14:26. For which, read on!
The "end game" of Paul's argument about understandability is this: But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. (vv. 24-25) That is "doxological evangelism." But, you say, the chapter is about prophecy versus tongues. How does music fit in?
1 Cor. 14:26-27: What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (emphasis added) In our worship, and in our worship's evangelistic potential, singing plays a part. The things brought into the gathering include "a hymn" - which is useful along with all the other gifts in this list, "for building up." This hymn, then, is also a feature of the total impact on the unbeliever in the assembly. It must meet the same criteria as the lesson, revelation, tongue/interpretation. It is to be, in other words, prophetic.
This is why we take such care with what we sing. It is also why we choose the ways we sing. We want all who assemble to be able to sing with clarity the words chosen to be sung. Great care, and much prayer, has to guide these choices so that the church is built even through our singing, and that those "looking in" will see God among us!
A fascinating connection, which I am just now seeing: In 1 Cor. 14:7, Paul mentions the flute and harp. In verse 26 he mentions hymns. The AV and NAS translate (transliterate?) the word driectly from Greek: psalm. The New Testament uses two words for the verb "to sing" - in effect "to psalm" which implies instrumental and vocal music together, and "to sing" which is never used in relation to instruments. So, for example, in Ephesians Eph. 5:19, we read: addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and psalming [making melody] to the Lord with all your heart ... Well, a little tidbit which I am beginning to think is not "trivia" but further insight into the Corinthian church. Were there instruments at use? It is entirely possible. And these, too, as in the Temple, may be a part of our doxological evangelism.
Sing on!
14 October 2010
Two Passions
Well, I saw this some time ago, and then again recently. The first time, it was posted on a choral music site. More recently on a bicycling forum. It gets me because it brings together two things I enjoy quite a bit.
And while it isn't the kind of choir that I'll ever direct (or that most of you will likely sing in), it is inspiring.
I often dream of a musical bicycling ministry team - think Italy, or China, on bikes!
Lately, the "flashmob" thing has me wondering ... what might happen closer to home? How crazy is that?
Enjoy, and
Sing on!
And while it isn't the kind of choir that I'll ever direct (or that most of you will likely sing in), it is inspiring.
I often dream of a musical bicycling ministry team - think Italy, or China, on bikes!
Lately, the "flashmob" thing has me wondering ... what might happen closer to home? How crazy is that?
Enjoy, and
Sing on!
05 October 2010
Hymn Makers
I came to College Church, 14 years ago, from a church with three morning services, in two styles. We had made a real attempt to present a contemporary service with substance, with the same values as our more traditional service. It was a challenge - usually a fun challenge - to present the same themes in two related but distinct services.
Ultimately, it was a failure. 14 years ago, it was almost impossible to adequtely present many biblical themes with real substance, using only contemporary materials. We could sing "our God is an awesome God," but could not go deeply and sing that he is "immortal, invisible, God only wise." I heard one songwriter in the praise and worship genre say that after his songs became more theologically thoughtful, publishers became less interested in them. (Happily, this man ended up in a church pastored by a friend of mine, who continued to encourage him to write deeply!) It was discouraging. So coming to College Church with its passionate commitment to hymn singing was refreshing and invigorating.
I still have no interest in what is called "contemporary worship" (whatever is meant by that), and there is still a lot of dreck being put forth for use in that medium. But I am happy to say that the past decade has brought a lot more depth, substance, and historical material into the contemporary arena. In particular, "old hymns" have been "re-discovered" and cast into new forms for singing by congregations of all ages. In most cases, these settings even preserve the old language!
Granted, even in that trend there are at least as many misses as hits. There are still worship-leading-guitar-players who lack the melodic craft to produce a melody that people can and want to sing for years to come. I don't worry about that. Review old hymnals, compare them to newer hymnals, and you will see that over time the church does a pretty good job of sifting through dreadful material, and to leave the truly timeless in our hands. Thank God for that work of the Spirit among us! And ask him for the discernment of your music leadership to make good decisions week after week.
It's refreshing to know that it isn't only the "contemporary" church that is writing and learning new melodies for old texts. Open in front of me as I write is a collection called "The Hymn Makers," which the Chancel Choir will receive in this week's rehearsals. In it are settings of hymns by Charles Wesley, John Newton, Isaac Watts and William Cowper, with new melodies by Christopher Norton. Of the 9 texts in the book, only 1 is reasonably well known: Cowper's "God moves in a mysterious way." Another text is becoming well known by means of that guitar-driven movement mentioned above - a good idea to get young people singing this great Newton text, but not providing a worthy tune for it. You may trust me on this.
Beyond that, this collection gives life to hymns that are not appearing in modern hymnals, but that I would hope we do not lose in our worship repertoire. Here is the first of those hymns, which the Choir will be singing in worship sometime this Fall. Some of you will know these words (and our new tune) from Greg Wheatley's program "Sound of Majesty" Thanks, Greg!
Let us love and sing and wonder,
let us sing the Savior's name!
He has hushed the law's loud thunder,
he has quenched Mount Sinai's flame:
He has washed us with his blood,
he has brought us nigh to God.
Let us love, the Lord who bought us,
pitied us when enemies,
called us by his greace and taught us,
gave us ears and gave us eyes:
He has washed us with his blood,
he presents our souls to God.
Let us sing, though fierce temptations
threaten hard to bear us down!
For the Lord, our strong salvation,
holds in view the conqueror's crown:
He who washed us with his blood
soon will bring us home to God.
Let us wonder; grace and justice
join, and point to mercy's store;
when through grace in Christ our trust is,
justice smiles, and asks no more.
He who washed us with his blood
has secured our way to God.
Let us praise, and join the chorus
of the saints enthroned on high;
here they trusted him before us.
Now their praises fill the sky:
"Thou hast washed us with Thy blood;
Thou art worthy, Lamb of God."
New songs or old, there's always something to learn and love.
Sing on!
Ultimately, it was a failure. 14 years ago, it was almost impossible to adequtely present many biblical themes with real substance, using only contemporary materials. We could sing "our God is an awesome God," but could not go deeply and sing that he is "immortal, invisible, God only wise." I heard one songwriter in the praise and worship genre say that after his songs became more theologically thoughtful, publishers became less interested in them. (Happily, this man ended up in a church pastored by a friend of mine, who continued to encourage him to write deeply!) It was discouraging. So coming to College Church with its passionate commitment to hymn singing was refreshing and invigorating.
I still have no interest in what is called "contemporary worship" (whatever is meant by that), and there is still a lot of dreck being put forth for use in that medium. But I am happy to say that the past decade has brought a lot more depth, substance, and historical material into the contemporary arena. In particular, "old hymns" have been "re-discovered" and cast into new forms for singing by congregations of all ages. In most cases, these settings even preserve the old language!
Granted, even in that trend there are at least as many misses as hits. There are still worship-leading-guitar-players who lack the melodic craft to produce a melody that people can and want to sing for years to come. I don't worry about that. Review old hymnals, compare them to newer hymnals, and you will see that over time the church does a pretty good job of sifting through dreadful material, and to leave the truly timeless in our hands. Thank God for that work of the Spirit among us! And ask him for the discernment of your music leadership to make good decisions week after week.
It's refreshing to know that it isn't only the "contemporary" church that is writing and learning new melodies for old texts. Open in front of me as I write is a collection called "The Hymn Makers," which the Chancel Choir will receive in this week's rehearsals. In it are settings of hymns by Charles Wesley, John Newton, Isaac Watts and William Cowper, with new melodies by Christopher Norton. Of the 9 texts in the book, only 1 is reasonably well known: Cowper's "God moves in a mysterious way." Another text is becoming well known by means of that guitar-driven movement mentioned above - a good idea to get young people singing this great Newton text, but not providing a worthy tune for it. You may trust me on this.
Beyond that, this collection gives life to hymns that are not appearing in modern hymnals, but that I would hope we do not lose in our worship repertoire. Here is the first of those hymns, which the Choir will be singing in worship sometime this Fall. Some of you will know these words (and our new tune) from Greg Wheatley's program "Sound of Majesty" Thanks, Greg!
Let us love and sing and wonder,
let us sing the Savior's name!
He has hushed the law's loud thunder,
he has quenched Mount Sinai's flame:
He has washed us with his blood,
he has brought us nigh to God.
Let us love, the Lord who bought us,
pitied us when enemies,
called us by his greace and taught us,
gave us ears and gave us eyes:
He has washed us with his blood,
he presents our souls to God.
Let us sing, though fierce temptations
threaten hard to bear us down!
For the Lord, our strong salvation,
holds in view the conqueror's crown:
He who washed us with his blood
soon will bring us home to God.
Let us wonder; grace and justice
join, and point to mercy's store;
when through grace in Christ our trust is,
justice smiles, and asks no more.
He who washed us with his blood
has secured our way to God.
Let us praise, and join the chorus
of the saints enthroned on high;
here they trusted him before us.
Now their praises fill the sky:
"Thou hast washed us with Thy blood;
Thou art worthy, Lamb of God."
John Newton
New songs or old, there's always something to learn and love.
Sing on!
15 September 2010
And now a word from our readers
In a move that might be seen as abdication, I want to invite readers of Knowing the Score to consider contributing to Knowing the Score. Here's why, what, and how ...
WHY?
I'm eager to see what you have to bring to our shared ministry on this page. Meanwhile, I'll continue to write as well. So you see, it's not a complete abdication!
Sing on!
P.S. - not counting this p.s., this post is 458 words long. That gives you an idea of maximum length
WHY?
- After 14 years of writing this column, I feel I am not offering as much as I'd like to.
- During a very busy season of life and ministry, it is not as easy to get to the column each week, and I find that I am not as fresh as I'd like to be, when I do sit down to write.
- I am learning that an engaging feature of "blogs" is the community that can develop through them. At some point this year, through our church website, this blog format will change and this page will become much more interactive and communal.
- In the meantime, I invite all who may be interested to submit material for posting here. And I look forward to reading what others may bring!
- Contrary to my own practice, blog entries need not be lengthy, wordy, mini-sermons or rants! Some of my favorite blogs to read are short, pithy, clear, and often they point to something found elsewhere (an article, a video, a song, etc.)
- Some ground-rules and expectations: 1) entries must be under 500 words in length, not including the quotation of scripture, hymns, or sacred songs. 2) entries may be biblical, theological, hymnological, liturgical, or observational. 3) entries should have some connection to private, devotional, or gathered worship, whether specifically musical or not.
- In general we will look for stand-alone (one-off) submissions. But ideas for a series will be entertained.
- My role as pastor/editor: I retain the right to edit contributions. I do not promise or guarantee that I will print whatever is submitted. I may return an item with suggestions or questions, and invite you to re-submit it.
- Contributions may be sent to me through this email address: music@college-church.org
- Articles may be in a Word document, or in the body of an email.
- Embedded photos or video will be welcomed.
I'm eager to see what you have to bring to our shared ministry on this page. Meanwhile, I'll continue to write as well. So you see, it's not a complete abdication!
Sing on!
P.S. - not counting this p.s., this post is 458 words long. That gives you an idea of maximum length
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