There are certainly different kinds of music that is a part of the worship scene. In America we think that music is limited to what we call traditional, contemporary, southern gospel, or black gospel. Of course, in Africa or Indonesia they never heard of any of those styles of music. As a matter of fact, some places use drums as the driving instrument, and rythym, not melody as the main factor. Southern Gospel would scare them to death and Contemporary/Traditional music would be offensive.
Is there a best style of worship and best kind of worship music. The answer is YES!
The best style, in my humble opinion, is whichever style draws the most number of people together at one time for praising God. In some cultures that would be Black Gospel with the creative organ stylings that mark that sound. In other cultures it would drums and bamboo sticks. While in others it might be guitars, flutes, or bagpipes.
I like what Greg Laurie said in a newsletter someone sent me today: "Music is not an art form, it's a heart form."
There you have it. Music is our heart response to our Creator and Savior. If we can only get our personal preferences past the style, and unite around the words, then God would truly be glorified. Now, that's heavenly music!!
1 comment:
spot on!
i read a quote once: "God gave us music that we may pray without speaking."
this is what i know as i play instrumentals for hours at a time and wish everyone could know the joy of communing with the Holy Spirit in this way. God actually sends me music to play, right down to the chord progression, often with lyrics built into the sequence.
flexibility in corporate worship music is important. the single most important thing to consider is that the music should NEVER be a distraction in worship, but an enhancement and certainly an offering of praise. i believe that music for the invitation is extremely significant...as important as the rest of the praise and worship songs...we must never grieve the Holy Spirit by phoning in the invitation music...as this is the time where, i believe, the Holy Spirit draws particularly close and strongly convicts individuals to make an eternity saving decision! when i think about just HOW awesome the music in heaven will be ...well, i can't even articulate the power/joy of it! we will get to hear God sing! \o/ (selah)
(selah again)- neil
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