Posts Tagged ‘music’
I’m so disappointed with the older people in my church. They oppose the use of RNB, hip-hop, and Reggaeton in church. What would you advise?
Question: I read your blogs and, I don’t know, maybe if you read this you could help me. My church is filled with elderly people (40+). This year the number of our youth has been growing. God has been good and has been blessing us with incredible services. But a lot of members criticize all…
Read MoreReview of Sacred Songs of the Church
by Wayne S. Walker The first new hymnbook among churches of Christ for the 21st century (notwithstanding the late Alton H. Howard’s Songs of the Church 21st Century Edition which actually came out in 1990) is now available. It is Sacred Songs of the Church, edited by William D. Jeffcoat, copyrighted in 2007 by Psallo Publications LLC (3642 Peachtree…
Read MoreA Review of the Hymnbooks
by Wayne S. Walker Originally published in Torch, October 1988 Please understand that my review is of necessity going to be biased by my own view of what constitutes a good hymn selection. With that in mind, I shall begin by saying that I grew up using the old “brown book,” Christian Hymns II (edited by…
Read MoreBe Still, My Soul
by Katharina von Schlegel, 1752 Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change, He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.…
Read MoreA Bit of History
by Jefferson David Tant While looking through an old paperback songbook, I found a page written by Austin Taylor, a song leader who often traveled with my grandfather (J. D. Tant) and other gospel preachers to lead singing during gospel meetings. He mentioned the favorite songs of several preachers. I do not know when the…
Read MoreCan a group (choir) sing if it is after the worship service?
Question: I am a member of the church of Christ and I want to know is group singing OK during a fellowship? Of course, the fellowship service is dismissed and then the group singing begins. Can you please help me with this? Answer: Your terminology is confusing to me because it is not how things…
Read MoreWhat should be done when everyone doesn’t follow the song leader?
Question: I’ve been reading several of your comments with interest and ran across one that I myself have seen. I am a member of the church of Christ and have been baptized for 22 years. I have been leading songs for around that same time. I have a background in reading music and participating in…
Read MoreIs the song “Light the Fire” scriptural?
Question: Have you ever heard the song “Light the Fire?” I have heard some objections to this song because of the “fire” mentioned and “breathing new life.” Doesn’t it just depend on how you look at it? Denominational people would probably look at it the wrong way. Doesn’t Hebrews 12:29 say, “For our God is…
Read MoreWhat songbooks would you recommend?
Question: We are building a new building and we are needing songbooks. My husband is one of the song leaders. I would like to know which book you would recommend to us. We are strictly a New Testament church. No musical instruments and no praise teams. Also, I need to know where to go to…
Read MoreThe Songs and Hymns of Robert Lowery
by Wayne S. Walker Robert Lowry was born in Philadelphia, PA, on Mar. 12, 1826, and educated at Bucknell University where he graduated with high scholastic honors in 1854. Afterward, he served as a Baptist minister, first at West Chester, PA, near Philadelphia, from 1854 to 1858, then in New York City, NY, from 1859…
Read MoreDefinitions for the Songbook
by John Guzetta via “Tower of Strength” Vol.25, No.1. Jan.3, 2010, Lake Wales, FL with some additions by Thomas Thornhill Sometimes, kids come up with comical things. I know a sister in Christ, who, when she was in elementary school, used to think Jesus Arose began, “Low in the gravy lay Jesus my Savior.” What a…
Read MoreConducting Worship in Song
I. As people come in, have them sit up front in as few pews as possible A. Have them divide by parts: Alto, Tenor, Melody, Bass B. Start with a prayer II. An important aspect of worship is our coming together to offer a united worship A. Colossians 3:14-17 – We were called in one body, we should worship as…
Read MoreWorshiping in Song
Text: Colossians 3:16-17 I. In many congregations, singing is not consider a very important aspect of worship. A. Think about it; when the Lord’s Supper is being served or a prayer is being given, few people would think about leaving the assembly to visit the restrooms, but it commonly happens during the singing. B. If a prayer…
Read MoreWhy Sing?
by Wayne S. Walker “I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations” (Psalm 57:9). The Hebrew name for the book of Psalms is “Tehellim” meaning “praises.” Our English word “psalm,” which translates the Hebrew word “mizmor,” comes from the Greek term “psalmos” and refers to a…
Read MoreAre pants, earrings, makeup, or Reggaeton music bad?
Question: Hi, Is it a sin for women to wear pants outside of the church but skirts and dresses inside the church? Are earrings and using makeup a sin? Finally, is Christian Reggaeton bad? I know it’s a lot of questions, but I was just wondering. Thanks! Answer: In regards to wearing pants, a similar…
Read MoreNotes on the Words and Terms Used In Our Songs
by Roger and Becky Williams -A- Abba – Aramaic for father; Mark 14:36 abhor – to shrink away from with disgust abide – to continue to stay; remain; wait abode – a dwelling place; home acclamation – strong approval or loud applause accord – being in agreement; harmony adoration – devoted love, respect, and honor…
Read MoreHow do I teach my girlfriend about music and partaking of the Lord’s Supper?
Question: My girlfriend goes to a church that I believe is not right with God. They have choirs and music, and they don’t take the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. I really need to explain to her why you must take the Lord’s Supper every Sunday and why you must only sing and not use musical…
Read MoreIs it okay to listen to secular music?
Question: Hi! I have e-mailed before concerning if we could have facial hair. I have come to you again for some help concerning secular music. My question is: Is it ok to listen to it or is it against God’s Word? I myself believe that it serves no purpose but to pervert the Good News of…
Read MoreIs the use of a “praise team” scriptural?
Question: Have you heard of this idea of having a “praise team” in the song service of some churches? This is confusing to me because it would seem that it would place women in a leadership role if they were part of the “team” leading the congregation. What are your thoughts on this? Answer: A…
Read MoreThe Amazing History of Instrumental Music in Christian Worship
by Allen Webster “I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (I Corinthians 14:15). In the average person’s mind, gospel singing and organ music go together like “rock” and “roll” or “blues” and “rhythm” or “hip” and “hop.” It is assumed, expected, even celebrated. Most would be genuinely surprised…
Read MoreEvaluating New Songs
by Mark Roberts in Abundant Life via Meditate on These Things For the longest time, it seemed brethren were fairly certain Sacred Selections contained just about every hymn that needed to be sung. Like it or not, that has certainly changed. Many congregations are now using some other hymnal other than Sacred Selections. Many congregations have also added…
Read MoreWorship the King (Song)
Midi Tune: https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Worship-The-King-Music.mid Sheet Music: Loading… Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download [1.08 MB]
Read MoreHow do you know that Ephesians 5:19 is speaking about worship?
Question: I understand which verses talk about singing, but the main verse used by the churches of Christ to back up their singing is found in Ephesians. However, the verses prior to and after do not imply anything about worship. The prior verse speaks of not being drunk from wine wherein is excess. Did the…
Read MoreShould I only listen to “Christian” music?
Question: What kind of music is prohibited? For the longest time, I have been listening to music that isn’t “Christian,” but nothing that is profane or that gives a bad message or talks about lewd or gross things. When I listen to my music, it makes me happier and helps me deal with some of…
Read MoreThe Spiritual Simplicity of Our Singing
by Paul Earnhart In the 1940s Elmer T. Clark observed that is “a peculiar type of mind which is convinced that God is interested in whether his worshipers sing with or without instrumental music” (Small Sects in America, p. 16). Clark’s words carry a twentieth-century bias. The truth is that the mind that he thought…
Read MoreMusic in Worship
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. As we look at the denominations around us, we find that the vast majority use musical instruments in their worship services. A. Oddly, we don’t. Why not? What harm would there be in using them? Why can’t we be like those around us? B. I heard a similar reasoning before – I Sam.…
Read MoreCan Musical Instruments be Used to Worship God?
I. One of the distinguishing marks of our worship is the fact that we do not use instrumental music in our worship. A. It is certainly different among the denominations where almost all use instruments. B. Lately, I been hearing of numerous congregations deciding to add instrumental music to their worship. 1. The reasoning that was so well known…
Read MoreWhat musical instruments were used in ancient Greece?
Question: What musical instruments were used in ancient Greek times? Answer: The Greeks had a variety of instruments, such as the flute, the lyre, the harp, drums, cymbals, and castanets. There were also several horns (wind instruments). A detailed list can be found at: The Musical Instruments of Ancient Greeks Ancient Greek Music. It was…
Read MoreSons of Jacob (Children’s Class Song)
by Jeanie Pratt Please feel free to use the following lyrics which I wrote many years ago. I could not remember the usual version and wanted the order of birth. I sing this to the tune of Jesus Loves Me. I have a poster board with the song. I color code the boys’ names by…
Read MoreThe Songs That We Sing
by Wayne S. Walker As I was growing up, I loved to join in the singing of hymns and gospel songs during church services and other occasions where people gathered together to praise God in song, and through the years with my general love of music I have maintained an active interest in the songs…
Read MoreWe are Going Down the Valley
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Let us read I Cor. 15:50-58 II. In our song books there is a spiritual song written by Jessie Brown Pounds A. She lived from 1861 to 1921 in Hiram, Ohio. Both she and her family were members of the Lord’s church. B. We sing many songs that are based on her poems: 1. The…
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