1. The Origin And Nature Of Church Music

    1. Music is created by God from nothing (ex nihilo)

      1. was given to mankind to be used and enjoyed. (Gen. 1; I Cor. 8:4; Rev. 1:8; Ps. 24:1 and 102:25-27)

    2. The fundamental elements of music (i.e. musical tone and rhythm) cannot be categorized as “sacred” or “secular“. (Gen. 1:4, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31)

      1. when God created everything in this world “He saw that it was good.” (Gen. 1:9, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31)

        1. the meaning of the word “good” (טוב — towb) means perfection and does not need anything. (Strong Hebrew Dictionary, #2896 and #2895)

    3. Music can greatly affect the temperament of human. (I Sam. 16:14-23; 18:10)

    4. Music has unexplained mysterious power over human. (II Kings 3:12-16; I Sam. 10:5)

  2. The Definition And Function Of Church Music

    1. Church Music Is A Sacrifice Of Praise (Heb. 13:15)

      1. In the Old Testament

        1. believers offered sacrifices to God as gestures of worship.

      2. In the New Testament (1 Pet. 2:5)

        1. a different kind of sacrifices, spiritual sacrifices.

        2. a spiritual sacrifice of praise (Heb.13:15)

          1. “the fruit of lips that confess his name”.

          2. When music is used to express praise to God

            1. should be considered as a spiritual sacrifice.

    2. Church Music Is A Tool (Co. 3:16)

      1. The function of church music is to be used as a tool for:

        1. the teaching of God´s word,

        2. the admonishing of believers among themselves,

        3. and the expression of believers´ gratitude and worship toward God.

    3. Church Music Is A Witness Of The Truth (Co. 3:17)

      1. “whatever you (we) do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Co. 3:17)

        1. i.e. to bear witness to the name of the Lord.

        2. Same teaching is found in (1 Cor 10:31)

      2. church music is a witness.

      3. the believers who use the music is a witness.

  3. Music And Its Style

    1. Music and its style can be categorized into “sacred” and “secular”.

      1. The definition of “sacred” and “secular”

        1. does not speak to “sinful” or “holy” by nature. (Please refer to the above mentioned in 1.B.)

      2. The definition relates only to:

        1. the expression through lyrics and fundamental elements of music

        2. the intention for composing

        3. the function(s) and its use

        4. the culture and association it presents and represents.

      3. “sacred” or “secular” has nothing to do with the “newness” or “oldness”

      4. The music and its style express the musicians´

        1. personal viewpoints

        2. beliefs

        3. philosophy

        4. culture

      5. Since human is imperfect, his/her expression of the abovementioned is also imperfect.

      6. Therefore, music and its style can be differentiated as “sacred” and “secular”.

      7. When music and its style are said to be “sacred”

        1. must be in agreement with the biblical principle of “being sanctified”. i.e.:

          1. the expression and the style,

          2. the association and the associated culture presents and represents

          3. must be:

            1. Written only for God (Rom 12:1)

            2. Expressing and witnessing biblical truths (1Tim 1:17)

            3. Enabling listeners to associate in their minds with “things above” and with “spiritual things” (Co. 3:1-2)

            4. Suitable to be used for various ministry in the church (Eph. 4:11-12)

  4. The Evaluation Of Church Music

    1. A piece of church music that is used by God has four characteristics:

      1. Motive:

        1. “sanctified” (Isa. 6:3, Rom 12:1)

      2. Contents:

        1. God-centred (Isa. 6:3, Rev. 5:11-14)

        2. Expresses truth (Isa. 6:3, 1Tim 1:17)

        3. Expresses the believers´ worship of God (Isa. 6:3; Rev.4:8-11, 5:11-14)

        4. Expresses true spiritual experience and emotion (Isa. 6:3, Lk. 1:46-49)

        5. Expresses and represents “spiritual culture” (Isa. 6:3, Rom 12:2)

      3. Style:

        1. sanctified (Isa. 6:3, Rom. 12:1-2)

        2. enables others to associate in their minds and to experience the worship of God in heaven (Isa. 6:3, Co. 3:1-2)

        3. dignified (Isa. 6:3-4, Rev. 5:11-14)

      4. Function:

        1. Draw others closer to God (Isa. 6:5, Rev. 5:11-14)

        2. Has spiritual impact (Isa. 6:5, Rev. 5:11-14)

          1. Confession

          2. Dedication

    2. The evaluation must be approached from three perspectives:

      1. The perspective of being a spiritual sacrifice of praise

        1. must of the highest quality (Lev. 1-5)

      2. The perspective of being a tool

        1. must express biblical truth and the heart of the performers effectively.

        2. must be compatible with the performers and the congregation (cultural background, language ability, musical capability, intellectual capability, and expressivity)

        3. In regard to hymns (i.e. congregational songs)

          1. the music and its style must express and support the contents of the lyrics

          2. “Union of music and lyrics” must be achieved

      3. The perspective of being a witness of the truth

        1. must glorify God and bear witness to biblical truths. (I Cor 10:31)

        2. Church music must bear witness of the culture and hope of the above and therefore must not be secularized (Jn.15:18-19; Rom. 12:2; I Jn. 2:15)

  5. The Music Ministry And The Use Of Church Music

    1. Music ministry is instituted by God and is given an important role. (I Chron. 15; 23; 28:19-20; Heb. 13:15)

      1. King David

        1. ordered the priests to sing to God in the tabernacle

      2. King Solomon continued this music ministry

    2. It is God´s will that churches employ paid Minister of Music to lead and establish a well-rounded music ministry. (II Chron. 29:25, I Chron. 15:16-24; 23; 28:19-20; Heb. 13:15)

      1. Ordered prophet Gad to organize the music ministry

      2. Instituted various full-time church music ministries

        1. appointed Kenaniah as music minister

        2. Heman, Asaph and Ethan as music teachers

    3. Music ministry must participate and assist in the support of other ministries of the church. (Eph. 4:11-12)

    4. The emphasis and purpose of the ministry are:

      1. to glorify God (Co. 3:17; I Cor. 10:31)

      2. to pastor the sheep (Jn. 10:11; 21:15-17)

      3. to establish the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-12)

    5. Everyone who participates in music ministry (including the minister of music) must:

      1. be a born-again Christian (I Pet. 2:9)

      2. be spiritual and bear witness to God in his/her personal life (I Tim. 3:8-12)

      3. have appropriate and adequate trainings (I Chron. 15:23; 28:19-20; Heb 13:15)

      4. have proof of being chosen by God (Num. 1:47-54; Eph. 4:11-12)

    6. God is the prime source of believers´ power to praise and worship (Gen.1)

      1. through Christ (I Pet. 2:5)

      2. assisted by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:18)

    7. It is the duty and blessing of all believers that they may sing praise to God (I Pet. 2:5, 9)

    8. Music which is chosen to be used church should be suitable to the entire congregation in terms of:

      1. their cultural background

      2. their language ability (the church should praise God in the mother-tongue of her congregation(s))

      3. their intellectual capability

      4. their musical capability

    9. In music ministry, God requires the church and the believers to

      1. participate personally (Lev. 1:1-17)

      2. be faithful (I Cor. 4:1-2)

      3. try their best (Mt. 25:14-30)

      4. grow continuously (Phil. 1:9-11; Eph. 4:11-14)

    10. Church should use both “new hymns” and “traditional hymns”

      1. “new hymns” bear witness of “God of today”

      2. “traditional hymns” bear witness of “God of yesterday”

      3. These two aspects in totality bears witness of God´s eternal presence

    11. Hymns used by the church, including “new” hymns and “traditional” hymns, must meet the aforementioned criteria of evaluation of church music.

  6. Church Music And Worship

    1. Singing is not equivalent to worship

    2. Worship does not necessarily require singing

    3. Singing in worship must be

      1. supported by the truth (Jn. 4:23-24; Ps. 47:7; 1Cor. 14:15)

      2. recognized by the intellect (Jn. 4:23-24; Ps. 47:7; 1Cor. 14:15)

      3. inspired by the spirit (Jn. 4:23-24; Ps. 47:7; 1Cor. 14:15)

      4. expressed with emotion (Jn. 4:23-24; Ps. 47:7; 1Cor. 14:15)

    4. The motivational force of singing and worship:

      1. comes from God (Gen. 1; Rev. 1:8; Ps. 24:1; 102:25-27)

      2. through Christ (I Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:22; 8:6; 9:15; 12:24; I Jn. 2:1)

      3. enables by the Spirit (Rom. 8:6; 8:23; 8:26-27; I Cor. 2:10; 2:13-14; Eph. 6:18)

    5. The role of church music in worship includes three areas:

      1. As A Sacrifice:

        1. not for our appreciation and enjoyment

      2. As Witness of The Truth:

        1. is a corporate act of witness in worship

          1. bear witness to their belief and worship of the God that is described in the hymns

          2. the body of Christ is manifested on earth

          3. express our eternal hope

            1. a foretaste of worship in heaven

      3. As A Tool:

        1. a tool used by God and believers in worship

        2. has the following functions:

          1. Encourage worship:

            1. help the worshiper to experience the presence of God

            2. enable the believers to look forward to worshipping God in heaven

          2. Assist worship:

            1. Use music to express their response to God intellectually and emotionally

          3. Remind worship:

            1. remind believers of the teachings of the Bible

            2. the tenets of the believers´ faith

            3. the attributes of God

            4. the experience of the believers

          4. Guide worship:

            1. music leads worshippers to various stages and moods of worship

          5. Enrich worship:

            1. The expression of believers is enhanced by music and hymns

 
Copyright © 2012 Canadian Worship and Music Ministry Association
All Rights Reserved