Life as a Christian Woman

Recently someone wrote a letter to the editor in our town, complaining about music at most churches. Not all music, but the “newer” music.

It appears the writer was upset by the drums and guitars. He was a fan of the old standards, but was upset that many churches added new beats and instrumentation to those, as well. This is not a new argument. There are even websites that condemn the newer Christian music as sinful and not worthy of the worship experience.

And of course, there is the flip side to the argument. The “old standards” are dated, dusty, and should be shelved. We need to attract the younger crowd with more vibrant, modern music.

But there should be room for all music that praises our God!

Psalm 100 speaks directly to this topic:

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God;
It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise;
Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100

We are told to enter into God’s presence with singing, making “joyful” noise. Tamborines, drums, flute, trumpet… if they are being played for the glory of God, then their purpose is in line with scripture.

Imagine a service with no music! Or what if only those that God had blessed with good voices were allowed to sing! My dad was a great Christian man, but couldn’t sing a lick. I mean he couldn’t carry a tune in you gave him the bucket to put it in. But boy, did he love to sing on Sundays. Whenever I think of Psalm 100, I laugh that God made sure the scripture to read “noise” instead of “beautiful song” because He had my dad in mind (and all the other tone-deaf Christians in the world).

The wonderful thing about God’s world is that He has given us choices… there are churches where music plays a small role in the service, or is more traditional in nature. At other churches the music is front and center, with clapping and rejoicing. Some churches combine the two styles.

I am touched and moved by the music at my church. While the preaching may reach me, the music never fails to bring me into communion with God. My husband, on the other hand, hears God through the preaching and the music is kind of the “opening act.

Isn’t it wonderful that God has created each of us uniquely in His own image, and given us so many ways to reach Him and Praise Him?

So don’t limit yourself. If the congregation is singing a Christian song that you just don’t like,
remember… someone just down the pew may be touched by the same song, and brought into closer communion with God.