Be Real

Image credits to www.roseheights.org

I just want to share some thoughts about music ministry in church.

I have served as church musician for about 10 years. There are time for us to pass on the responsibility to the new comers and generation.

New genre and new music are growing each day, and I had always welcome any kind of creativity in church music ministry. But I notice that many young musicians are more interested in imitating outside music. Sometimes it makes me think whether it is right or not. It doesn't mean that I dislike outside music, but when people started to say that it is creativity and it is "New". I don't think it's right. Because to me, "copying" other people skill or parts of music isn't creativity at all, it is more like a replay what others had been working hard on to create that specific parts of music arrangement.

If we refer to Genesis 4:21, "His brother’s name was Jubal, the first of all who play the harp and flute.". It is clear that music has begun far more earlier than recorded in the history of music according to the world which has no clear recognition. That means that music had begun since the first generation of human race on earth. As church musician we should be able to understand when music has started and why. From the scripture, we should acknowledge that music was started for a good purpose. Does the world has this kind of specific history recorded ?

I never hate new style or new music, in fact it should never be a problem at all. Music is for good. But it became a problem, when we started to make it as a problem, when we argue just because of this little conflict.

A church musician should know the lyrics of the song they are playing, not just memorizing it, but really understand it. I noticed some musicians are very creatives and sometimes over-creatives modifying the original song to makes it sounds like popular new songs, but forgot that they don't even know the original music. Not to mention, that some not even know the lyrics. When this happen, could you imagine how the music will sounds like ? For me, there are reasons why often as a church musician I prefer to gives certain melodies as intro or playing the original chords. Because I understand that not all song leaders or singers could start singing at the right tuning. And there are much more other reasons.

I understand that for outside world music especially in a Band, musicians used to follow the tempo and beats of the drummer, the song arrangement are often already set out and practiced. But when it comes to Worship in Church, even the congregation knows the beats and without hesitates they claps their hands. Church musician are meant to play that way too and not concentrating too much on their notes, chords, beats, or tempo. Because the concentration should have been given a lot during song practice, not during the live worship. In fact, very often even bands outside do not stop playing music during their shows if certain minor problem occurred or there were some sound system problem. Doesn't that a "showmanship" as a performer ?

God looks at our hearts when we worship Him.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7

There is much more I would like to say, but enough for this time. The important things for us as church musician or whatever roles we have in church, the key for success are being humble. Never complains for everything have it's own reason.

God bless.

Regards,
Malphin Voo @ Rocky