Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/77

Contributor - Will Kroon

Title - What I Appreciate In Church Music

Topic - Music

When I was asked to contribute something to the issue on music in the Church, I was reluctant to do so. I don't consider myself capable of judging what is appropriate in Church music. From early age on I have had the feeling that when the Lord distributed musical talents He overlooked me. Yet, I may be able to contribute something by simply stating what music does to me as a member of the Church.

Accept Leadership

Organists and choir directors, since you have the gifts of music and are called to lead us in giving praise to God, I expect of you firm leadership. I really appreciate your effort to unite, us in singing and in bringing glory to God. When I attend a place of worship, I look for more than a "good sermon". (I certainly look for that too.) I also look for a good ministry of music, for I am easily touched by music and song. The sounds of the organ halve the potential of giving me a lift, of arousing my feelings and of pulling me upwards to God. There are times that I need to be awakened to the fact that I'm in the House of the Lord. Through the sounds of music you have a powerful and penetrating way of reaching my inner being. Through music and song you have such a great vehicle to awaken all of us. Continue to use those means with creativity and conviction.

These Things I Appreciate

1. When I worship God with fellow Christians I appreciate the fact that now and again you play a tune or select a piece of music I can identify with or can recognize. I want to worship God and the call to do so, through music, speaks much clearer to me when I hear it through sounds that are familiar. You prick my ears when you come to my level and vou are able to keep my interest after you picked me up with a familiar tune. At the same time I appreciate the fact that you encourage us to sing new songs to the Lord.

Please, continue to share with us the psalms, the hymns or other great music you have discovered. Let us know at times why certain hymns have touched you. I would like to learn what others have discovered and how they have poured out their hearts to God.

2. Select music that lasts or that has lasting qualities. Since I have learned so much of my theology through the psalms and hymns of the past, I appreciate songs that have lasting quality. Here I appreciate close cooperation for you have the gifts to judge the music and I may be of help to evaluate the message. To me it's not too helpful to teach songs that contain a theology I cannot preach from the pulpit. Many a popular song rises like a wonder tree and draws a great deal of attention, but is not very helpful, for it lacks the staying power of the psalms.

3. Help us find a few "singable songs". There are times that I long for an opportunity to sing my heart out - if I may put it that way. When I have these desires, I want to "make a joyful noise to the Lord" without being hindered by sophisticated music or too many difficult words. I want to cry out, to confess, to surrender and to give shouts of victory to my God. Then I long for a vehicle (music, singing) through which I can pour myself out to God together with others. At such occasions the content of the song becomes secondary, for each worshipper may fill the song with whatever has filled his inner being. I should confess that the playing of songs with a great tune touch me deeply. Such a tune melts away my resistance, it draws me to worship, it opens the floodgates of my soul. In short, it helps me greatly in worshipping God.

Things I would like to talk about

1. How does our worship in song sound to an outsider? Does he or she get the impression that we are all aware of God's presence, when we sing ? How can we create a greater awareness that we are singing to our God?

2. How can we learn to discover the joy and victory of worship? Perhaps we can re-discover the joy, the anticipation and the awe of the ancient Hebrew pilgrims as they worshipped the Almighty in the temple. How can we show that it is great to be alive and that we enjoy seeing each other again "in our Father's house ?"

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