Give Me Some Breathing Room

“My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.” Psalm 108:1

College story. It was a long ensemble trip. A crowded van. A lot of bodies in a little space. One guy got tired of being crammed against so many other people and needed an escape. His way of dealing was to pull out his headphones and visit what he called his “bigger, free environment.”

I use that trick on a daily basis. In our floundering economy, I consider myself blessed to have a steady government job with lots of benefits and paid holidays. But that doesn’t make the eight hours pass any quicker.

In my small, windowless office, I sometimes feel like my soul is suffocating. It needs to sing. So I grab my iPod, a stack of papers, and head to the filing room. While I sort away the alphabetized records, I sing along, shuffle my feet, and let my soul breathe for awhile.

Music has that magical ability to transport us out of our claustrophobic lives into a bigger, free environment.

If we let it.

Sometimes it takes a conscious choice to hear the melody over the ringing cell phones, or crying babies. You don’t even need an iPod. Just flip that switch in your heart.

Why not join me today? Whether you work from home or the office, you can still take the time to make some music. On the outside, we may be sitting sedately in our desk chairs, typing away at our keyboards. But, on the inside, our souls are singing. Together we’ll form a silent choir of praise, spreading across state lines.

Well, it’s time for me to go to work. Chances are I’ll head for the file room with my iPod at some point today. I may even dance around a little. Oh man, I hope my boss isn’t reading this.

Playing skillfully... and other loud noises

I am so thankful for TJ's post because it gives me something to rant, I mean talk about. Regarding the unskilled person involved in music ministry...

First of all, I want to say that consecration should be a prerequisite for ministry of any kind. The anointing is not something we should spend a lot of time hammering into leadership, if we do then we have some serious issues that obviously take precedent over any talent and ability problems. My opinion on this matter assumes that those involved are leadership material, and do not need to be instructed on how to live a consecrated life that is Spirit-led.

Music is a skill building art, it requires time, discipline, and much practice. I wonder if the popularity of three chord worship songs is connected in any way to the rampant laziness and lack of discipline we deal with among musicians and singers? If you state that you desire to minister before the Lord in music and what you offer is out of tune, sloppy, or distracting to the congregation trying to pursue the presence of God, do you think He is just pleased that your desire is sincere? I am tired of apologizing to someone because the assume they can bring a half-hearted offering into the sanctuary and we should accept it because they are sincere. There are too many ministries who need help for you to be wasting all this time pursuing what is most likely an ego driven dream rather than a call from God.

In 1 Chronicles we read about the "skillful" Levites who were set apart for the ministry of music i tabernacle. Chenaniah was instructor in charge of music "because he was skillful." (1 Chron. 15:22) 1 Corinthians 14: 6 compares instruction with no truth or focus to musical instruments played out of tune. We certainly expect the ministers preaching the Word to walk to the platform prepared and Spirit-led. We should expect no less from the musicians and singers who are expected to lead us in praise and worship. Simply put, if you want to be involved in music ministry, you must be musical.

This sounds great in theory, but how do you deal with it in your local church? To be honest, I have only ever told one person that they were not cut out for music ministry, and it was someone who I believe was truly tone deaf. Otherwise, if you can carry a tune, stay on pitch for most of the song, and engage in demonstrative worship I will stick you on the platform even if I turn your microphone down. Isn't that hypocritical? Maybe, but I expect you to show up and know the words, stay on your part, and sing like you are standing right before the throne of God. I have found that there are plenty who disagree with my philosophy on music ministry, but we don't have anyone singing off key on our platform either. I still have musicians and singers who show up ill prepared for service, but I'd like to think the shame-facedness is for the Lord and not the tyrant behind the keyboard.

Pick me, pick me!

Does anybody remember being a kid and playing basketball or football with your friends and relatives? Do you remember the one kid, or several kids, that nobody wanted on their team - the one that was always saying, “Pick me, pick me!”? Well, it seems to me that scenario never goes away; it only manifests itself in new areas.

There is no doubt that many kids’ feelings have been hurt over always being the last one chosen for the team. And on top of that, their team is not very excited about them being on the team. It causes one to wonder why these people perform so poorly when they play. It’s almost as if they fail because that’s what everyone expects of them. You would think that someone would try his/her best to prove that he/she should have been the first person chosen. Some people do this, and despite all their efforts, despite the fact that they did their absolute best, they were still no good at the game. There’s nothing wrong with that, it just may be that they were not meant to excel in or sometimes even be a part of that game. That doesn’t mean they’re not good at anything.

Now, instead of they football field or the basketball court, I see this scenario in the music departments of churches. There are sometimes people that have a greater desire than anyone else in the music department to be used. In some cases, these people are not the most talented or musically inclined people in the church. They will always be at practice on time and always volunteer to sing or play anything you start teaching. Sometimes we give them a chance and sometimes they change our minds about their ability. Sometimes, our original opinion is only reinforced.

How does a music minister/director handle something like this? Do you let someone that you know is tone deaf sing in the choir? Sure, that may be alright if you have a large choir and the tone deafness can be covered up. But what if your choir consists of 10 to 12 people? No matter what size a church is, there is pressure to use people or lose them. This presents an issue, because you may have a pastor telling a music director to use this person. And the music director is thinking if I use this person, it make us all look bad. I don’t know, maybe I’m the only music director that has had these kinds of issues. It is very time consuming to learn and teach parts to singers and even more when you’re trying educate your music department on how music works. To some it may be discouraging to have to use someone that appears to have no talent or skill whatsoever. It may even cause you to feel like all the work you’ve done is for naught.

And now we are at the part where I’m supposed to offer some sort of remedy to this ultimately uncomfortable situation. Well I hate to say, but I have no remedy. I wrote this because I would like to know what others’ opinions are in this matter. So, please let me know what you think, or what you’ve done in this kind of situation.
God Bless!

Living in a Golden Age

I’m carpet bagging here—a writing guy commenting on music to music people—but give me a couple paragraphs before you start snickering at my ignorance.

The Golden Age

We seem to be enjoying a Golden Age of Songwriting. From Chris Tomlin and Israel Houghton to MercyMe’s Bart Millard and Casting Crown’s Mark Hall to the Hillsong movement to your personal favorite (Derek Webb? Kirk Franklin? Matt Redman?), it seems like quality lyrics are clogging Christian radio today. It’s a great time—is it the greatest time ever?—to be listening to quality, searching, even challenging lyrics in most major genres. Most reflect a true communion with God. It’s a great time in Christian songwriting. We should recognize it as such.

The Tin Age

We seem to be enjoying a Tin Age of Christian music. From Chris Tomlin and Israel Houghton to MercyMe’s Bart Millard and Casting Crown’s Mark Hall to the Hillsong movement, it seems like mediocre music is clogging Christian radio today. It’s an awful time—certainly not the worst ever, but . . .—to be challenged and surprised by anything produced by our major artists.

In music it’s a “sound,” in writing it’s a “style.” Maybe I’m too much of a book guy, but I don’t hear that in Christian music today.

Case in point: Israel’s latest (and first studio) CD features pop, gospel, rock, and reggae in it. In fact, it’s got everything but a signature style.

Cases in point: MercyMe and Casting Crowns play almost nothing memorable. You recognize them by their lead vocalist, not their uninspired music.

Stellar artists/performers—and I’d put Israel & Chris Tomlin in or near that range—must couple their spectacular lyrics while exhibiting a stellar style that is uniquely them to be considered one of the Hall of Famers. It’s not about popularity, it’s about electrifying history.

Need a couple examples? Think: The Beatles. Think the Edge’s soaring guitar in U2. Every song is different. Every song is theirs alone.

Legitimate Reasons?

Are there different standards for Christian music? Does a “sound” matter in the eyes of history? Do the genres of church music (P&W, Gospel, Southern Gospel) nullify true signatures that the general listener would instantly recognize? Or do Christian listeners only expect genre satisfaction, punishing the truly talented who exemplify both?

I don’t have any answers, just many questions.

Still, it’s ironic that there’s such a yawning dichotomy between the lyrics and music of most Christian music right now.

I’m done. Feel free to argue with me. Put the book guy in his place.

Hagah

What would you like to hear more of in church? What would you like to hear less of?

In the latest edition of the Forward (the UPCI magazine with a more ministerial audience) there's an article by Robert Trapani that chastises contemporary Christian music for over-eroticizing our relationship with God. I must concur wholeheartedly with the sentiment expressed by the author. We have too many songs that do not strike the right tone of worship.

Why can't we have more songs that are straight out of the Psalms verbatim? I don't care if it's KJV, NIV, or even a scholarly translation or paraphrase.

More scripture, please. It doesn’t have to be in Hebrew.

I have been reading a translation of the Psalms by Robert Alter. Really great stuff. "In his law doth he meditate day and night" goes the verse in Psalm 1. Alter translates it "murmur." I don't know Hebrew. I wish I did. I have been trying to pick some bits and pieces here and there, but it hasn't been with any regularity nor have I a method. But I greatly enjoy finding a new way of looking at the scripture within the mode of contextual application. I especially have enjoyed Alter's new outlook.

The NKJV and NIV do well to versify the Psalms into more or less the poetry that it is, but Alter gives it a sense of rhythm. A more true sense of the poetic thrust. I have long been craving such a translation of the Psalms. I am still looking for a better translation. It seems I’m always looking for a better translation.

Music as Preacher

I once heard in a systematic theology class that music was instrumental in spreading the doctrine of Arianism around the early church world. The idea that music can spread a message more quickly is not a novel concept by any means, but a lack of dialogue regarding the issue has created some extremist views both to the right and left regarding music and the power it wields within church culture.

I often find myself rolling my eyes and defending the idea that specific genres of music are not demonic in origin, and that nit picking would very likely lead us to the conclusion that some of our "old fashioned" songs were born from music that was socially rebellious once upon a time.

Of late, I have been more concerned with the acceptance of the status quo among musicians and artists within the church. I feel that we are spending more time making congregations comfortable and at ease with regards to the music rather than singing the messages that are being preached from the pulpit. Mavis Staples once stated that her father changed their family's repertoire that they took on the road after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King. She credits her father with saying, "If he can preach it, we can sing it."

There are times and seasons for everything, and I am well aware that we have a responsibility to minister with song to communicate peace and healing to hurting people. We also have a responsibility to take the convicting message, whatever the subject, and remind the congregation that the Word doesn't change or go away.

Does anyone else feel like there is a need for a more "activist" approach to our music on occasion in order to reflect the values and principles that are being preached to us?

My Style is better than Yours

I know that this is a Christian blog, but I feel like this will help us understand some things. As some of you may have heard, the MTV Video Music Awards took place this past Sunday. People are given awards and they are allowed to make acceptance speeches afterward. I didn’t know about the Awards until later when I went home and logged onto Facebook. It was then that I saw a young woman’s status that talked about how she dislikes Kanye West. I became curious. So like anyone else that wants the latest information from the entertainment world, I checked it out on YouTube. I found a plethora of things like, the actual video, people’s videos about the video, remixes of the video, and even comments from POTUS about what happened.

Apparently Kanye was a little disturbed that Taylor Swift received the best female video. Kanye proceeded to interrupt Taylor’s speech and tell everyone that Beyonce’s video was one of the best videos of all time. This was before Beyonce received the award for video of the year. Beyonce was in shock. The crowd was in shock. I was in shock and yes, you were/are in shock. That is just SO distasteful. Who does something like that?

You might ask what this has to do with “Notes.” I must tell you that Kanye’s behavior reminded me of some of our own behavior when it comes to different styles of music. Too often we have heard someone or even ourselves criticize someone’s singing or playing and justify it by accusing it of not being godly. No, we don’t get up in the middle of someone singing certain contemporary songs and exclaim that another style is so much closer to Heaven. But there are the occasions when these exclamations come across the pulpit and people can sometimes feel like sinners because a certain sound is more pleasing to their ear. When does the madness stop?

But there are more Kanyes than this kind. There is a type of Kanye that would criticize another for not liking these contemporary songs. There are those that would tell people they have to sing a certain style to attract people to their church. In the words of an old pastor of mine – Hogwash! Jesus said if we lift Him up, He’d draw all men to Himself. It doesn’t matter what style of music you sing at your church. All you need to be concerned with is whether you are lifting up Jesus Christ. If you lift Him highest with country praise, break out your steel guitar baby! If you lift Him highest with contemporary Christian, plug in the acoustic! If you lift Him highest with black gospel, PLEASE fire up that Hammond B-3/C-3!

What everybody needs to understand is that it’s not Kanye that’s choosing the winners. It’s not anybody on this earth that’s receiving our praise but Jesus Christ, let Him decide what’s acceptable. God Bless!