Towne Hall Meeting – Music - IV

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 7-8
NT: Colossians 3
W&W: Psalm 114

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 9-10
NT: Colossians 4
W&W: Psalm 115

Today’s Reflection:

In the Towne Hall Meeting, another person was wondering about… singing songs from our hymnal on Sunday mornings with the piano and organ. Following is my response:

We’ve addressed music already, but let me say that we are taking the approach of John Wesley when the great Methodist revival swept across Great Britain. We need to be sensitive to our target audience. The Wesleys used the music that related to the people of the day. They often borrowed barroom melodies and wrote Christian lyrics for them. Many who would attend Wesley’s field meetings felt uncomfortable in the Anglican Church. They felt out of place, and even unwanted. Wesley used music to bridge that gap and welcome the sinner home to the Savior.

We would all agree that we want young people and lost people to feel comfortable at our church. If we don’t make them feel welcome, our church will no longer exist two generations from now. But at the same time, we want to feed and nourish the souls of the saints.

The two goals are not antithetical. I had an eye-opening experience several years ago at Rick Warren’s church and David Jeremiah’s church. I attended Warren’s service on Saturday night. It was very informal with drama, contemporary choruses and a relaxed atmosphere and dress. Jeremiah’s service the next morning was very formal with pipe organ, 200 voice choir, and an orchestra leading in hymns. Both services were filled with people of every age. Music reaches people. But, if we take it and make it a wedge issue, it will divide us and we will be conquered. For us, a blend is needed. We can do it together! We can!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Matthew 16.24: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”