Rev. Dr.
Olusola I. Eniolawun (BCM; B.Thy BA; MA; Ph.D
Abstract
Church music plays significant
roles in social, religious, and social gatherings in Africa. God gave people
the gif of music and commanded its usage for the edification of man. The term “Church
music” covers three major aspects of ministry within the context of a local church,
namely; Congregational music, choral music, and instrumental music. A piece of
music with appropriate text or alluding to a biblical text can serve as a
response of prayer, praise, testimony of God’s faithfulness, or a response to an
initial revelation of God during worship, or any Christian convergence.
Although there may be a lot of confusion on what may be termed as church music,
this study seeks to identify the term and discuss the ideals of church music in
worship and other Christian convergence from physical and non- physical
(spiritual) perspectives of Church music and ministry ad dressing the problem
of lack of structure in the organization of church music minis try. Church
music ministry allows Christians to be stewards of their gifs and is a valid
medium of propagating the gospel. The study adopts literary and theological approaches
and notes that music giversroom for the edification of Christians, contributing
its quota in building a network of musicians as they unite with other church leaders
in raising offerings of praise and thanksgiving to God. It notes that church
music should carry a message, express heartfelt praise to God, and/or a
divinely in spired message of God to parishioners. It argues that Church music,
of necessity, should be from disciplined Christian minds, to prepare true worshippers,
reconciling them back to God.
Kegwords:
Church music Ministry Christianity Musicians Worship Liturgy
Introduiton
There is a lot of confusion on what may be termed as Church
music. This is partly as a result of a long history of music traditions from
Biblical times to date. Music in Christian worship is not to be toiled with, it
is a great tool that accounts for the traceable growth of the church in
history. A Biblical understanding of ideal Church mu sic and ministry is crucial
for the practice of church music in contemporary church settings. Music plays
an important role in church ministries, especially in Christian worship, and it
is a truism that Christianity is a singing faith. This study seeks to identify
church music and ministry from Biblical Perspectives.
Church music and Ministry, The term
church music simply refers to the music of the church, but the term is in exhaustible
in its interpretations. The church from theological perspectives is seen by Grudem
(1994) as existing for ministry to God through worship, ministry to believers through
nurture, and ministry to the world through evangelism and mercy. Music of the church
sung and/or played on a musical instrument to minister to worshippers in the
church, or any Christian assembly therefore can be deduced as fulfilling the
mandate of the church in form of ministry, worship, evangelism, and mercy (pp.
867 868). Estrella (n.d) notes that Church music refers to music performed
during Chris tan liturgical services. It is a type of religious music, which
has been known among all peoples of the world from the most ancient times and
which also includes works performed outside the church. Church music is usually
conceived for liturgical purposes, and is performed as worship expressions of
parishioners. Husted (1981) asserts that church music is a functional art and
God’s gift to man as a means of divine expression, of given pleasure,
expressing emotions, and as a means of cultural reinforcement. The music of any
local church, therefore, is expected to perform functional roles that should of
necessity keep in view the mandate of the church universally. This mandate
however includes the aspect of spreading the gospel message of the church.
Usually because of the
popularity of media evangelism, more gospel music has emerged. Church music
reaches to those who are yet to be saved, those who are being saved, it
promotes Christian maturation among Christa ns and enhances the proclamation of
the gospel. It serves as spiritual vitamins for the spiritual nourishment of
parishioners, and as a medium of expressions of worship to God.
Church music is often shaped by peculiar doctrinal emphases
and prevailing cultural practices of a church assembly. Music in Christian
worship irrespective of doctrinal and denominational emphases and biases, has
been variously described to be based on two main New Testament scriptures,
viz:Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one
another with all wisdom as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with
gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16 NIV) Be very careful, then,
how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity,
because the day s are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what
the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (emphasis mine) Speak to one another with
Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ (Eph. 5:1-20 NIV).
In Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19-20 the scriptures
admonished Christians to live as children of light and be imitators of God who
freely gave Jesus Christ, his dear son, as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice
for their salvation. The scriptures further challenges Christians to allow
God’s word to dwell in them richly, and to be wise in the way they live their lives
using their gifs of music of all kinds to teach, and admonish one another withal
wisdom and in response to God. The three (3) varieties of music styles in
Paul’s letters such as psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, may suggest
representation of divergent cultures and godly traditions of worshippers in
history. This encourages the use of various styles that can be employed in the administration
of Church music to play godly roles, inspiring and disciplining Christians. Such
music ministry so described need to be geared towards a definite goal and
performed with all sincerity and dedication to God. Such music must of necessity
be beautifully composed and performed, engaging all forms of artistic impressions
that can enhance the communication of spiritual values and Christian integrity.
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