|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Letters September 17, 2007 This week we still have comments and opinions regarding music at church. Personally, I enjoy music very much and when I was a teenager it was important to me. But honestly, coming from a non-churched background I see music as only an appetizer to the meal—God’s Word. Not to minimize music’s importance, because a good appetizer can only enhance the meal. Sometimes though, when I go to someone’s house I see them put so much emphasis put on the appetizer that the meal no longer seems that important. Is this possibly what we are doing with music? Is music so important that God’s Word isn’t seen as most important? I guess these are questions for our experts to answer…
In the meantime, over the coming weeks expect some more fascinating interviews and live coverage from the UPCI’s General Conference (if you’d like to blog with us, let us know!), while we’d love to get more responses to our short story contest and ApTube contest, as well as your letters and articles. Thanks for participating in this ministry!
Re: “How Far Is Too Far When It Comes to Church Music?”
This is an amazing piece! My nephew (15) grew up in church. He visited a church about a month ago and got to sing from a hymnal! He loved it and wonders why churches of our faith do not have them? I told him they are outdated! We went to a service and there were about seven songs. Praise and worship and they drug the service to death. This particular service was many people needing answers, struggling with health, etc. Finally they started singing slowly, “Where Could I Go, But to the Lord!” The place broke open! If it does not work, switch! I like all songs and don’t mind listening to a variety. But people are not on the mountain top all the time.
Personally I am not a fan of 24/7 songs. (That is where you sing seven words 24 times!)
A young lady raised in denominational faith recently called me crying her heart out after having heard two of the most beautiful songs she has ever heard and is hoping to find the sound track. Know what they were? “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “What a Day that Will Be!” God bless you Michael!
Name Withheld, Mississippi
Re: “I Respect”
And, I would say, that Seth Boyte is a young man who is someone to be respected. What a beautiful way to express the kind of girl who gets your attention. But, of course, my opinion may be a little biased—I don’t love you quite as much as your mother, but just as an ‘extra mom’!
I do wish I’d see more Apostolic young men commend women who are doing the right things. Truly. I think it would help the women have a real understanding of an Apostolic man’s expectations. Perhaps it would help to negate issues of “standards” and “dress codes” and such other superfluity. Beauty inside out ought not need to be regulated.
Kris Newman, Minnesota
Re: “Of Sex & Shamefacedness: Women—Beware”
Thank you for having the courage to speak bluntly to our ladies. It seems some are clueless to how their dress affects their witness and the salvation of their brothers in the Lord. Many do not comprehend the meaning of modesty. Fathers and husbands are a good source for this information.
Donna Lewis, Texas
Re “Old vs. New Music in the Church”
I agree and disagree....
The songs of the past are just that. Many times the songs in our sacred “Sing Unto the Lord” (hymnal) contain old language and thoughts that no longer impact our generation. Most people would look at you strange if you were “shouting in the altar” to “...the Lord directs your bark,” (page 2!) or if you continued to sing “Let the Lower Lights be Burning,” or other such songs.
I’m 30something as well, and fourth generation UPCI, so I see through the same rose colored glasses at times. Lanny Wolfe provided new, anointed music that bridged the gap to where we are today. But here we are, and there are still people shouting in the altars singing about the grace, love, freedom, and the blood of Jesus. I believe the anointing of the Holy Ghost hasn’t changed.
I have three young children and think it’s important to learn the songs that will undoubtedly be requested when they sing in the nursing homes. While homeschooling them, we learn a ‘new’ Scripture song and hymn every month (this month is “He Took My Sins Away,” page 261!).
It’s important for music leaders to be sensitive to the diversity in our congregations. For the Spanish brethren in our church, we sing a few songs in Spanish. They do realize, however, we are in the USA and most songs will be sung in English. The same applies when we are singing across the generations. The main thing is staying under the power and anointing of God, and that will not change from generation to generation.
Kristin Hoover, Missouri
Re: “Modesty in Women’s Dress”
You’ve written with your usual candid grace. Over and over I’ve heard the argument that girls do not understand the power of their bodies. I do not believe this. If that is the case, then why are we so worried about weight, dressing “in style,” or anything else that reflects on our image.
I find it especially disheartening when this kind of dress is seen/allowed on the platform at our churches. This is the place where the ultimate example is set simply because it’s where everyone is looking. There are times when I sit in the congregation and pray that God will shield the eyes of the men because some woman on the platform are immodest in any number of ways.
God bless you for proclaiming the message.
Ann Ahrens, Missouri
Re: “Of Sex and Shamefacedness: Women—Beware!”
My recommendation is that the author and the person she is counseling not attend General Conference in Tampa! Modest clothing? Whatever...
This year we vote on TV; next year—what? Alligator shoes? We’re wasting precious time trying to look a certain way and continue down roads talking about TV and whatever. TV isn’t even the No. 1 media; men ages 24-36 hardly watch TV, outside of ESPN and HBO. The #1 media is the internet! We’ve already approved that!
Let’s vote on something that we suffer from; maybe, expensive apparel and gluttony. Oh, I just lost half of you.
Name Withheld, Hawaii
Re: “How Far Is Too Far When It Comes to Church Music?”
I agree wholeheartedly with the article. The real problem with this new kind of music is that it causes the worshiper to commit fornication because we are bringing the world into are worship of the One True God.
Bob Royer, California
ninetyandnine.com
© 2007, ninetyandnine.com ----------
|
|
|
