Music

Singing songs of truth about God to God is part of the process by which we acknowledge the goodness and sovereignty of God and re-orient our affections and will towards Him.
“Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due his name.” Psalm 29 “Worship is engaging with God on the terms that He proposes and in the way that He alone makes possible.” – David Peterson 

Singing is one of the ways that we live out the purpose for which we were created: to glorify God and enjoy him forever 

The service is structured around the idea of a conversation between God and His people. God speaks to us through his word, and singing is one of the ways that we respond. 

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 

“God directs His people not simply to worship but to sing His praises “before the nations.” We are called not simply to communicate the gospel to nonbelievers; we must also intentionally celebrate the gospel before them.” – Tim Keller
“If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 

Singing the same words at the same time with others can unite us, physically and spiritually. Research shows that as singers breathe according to musical phrases, their heartbeats will align as they sing together. Singing about a common goal, purpose, or object of worship, builds comradery. Research also shows that choral singing releases endorphins and reduces stress hormones. 

Music helps us memorize information. Singing about God can be very formative as it will affect the way that we think about God, the way we pray, etc. It is also a concrete way that we teach the faith to the next generation.
“Now write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against them. When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their forefathers, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to their gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant. And when many disasters and difficulties come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants.” Deuteronomy 31:19-21a 

Both historic and new music are a testament to God’s faithfulness. Grandparents, parents, and children are ultimately brothers and sisters in the kingdom of God. Singing historic songs highlight that relationship, and connect us to the historic church. Being cognizant of God’s faithfulness to his church throughout history gives our faith roots. New music also shows the uniqueness of each generation in which God is faithful. Each generation has its own unique voice, and this is glorifying to God. He promises that he will be faithful to each generation, and the new songs are a testimony to his enduring faithfulness.
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.” Psalm 145:3-7 

“The balance of unity and diversity in the Trinity gives a model for human social life, because it implies that both individuality and relationship exist within the Godhead itself…Over against collectivism, the Trinity implies the dignity and uniqueness of individual persons. Over against radical individualism, the Trinity implies that relationships are not created by sheer choice but are built into the very essence of human nature.” – Nancy Pearcey

• Corporate: “And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3
• Individual: ""O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You. My soul thirsts for You; my body longs for You in a dry and weary land without water." Psalm 63:1

Our unique voice and local culture contribute to the tapestry of the church at all times and all places. Our common faith expressed through music connects us to the global church. 

Songs should be immediately accessible so that they can be vehicles for worship in the service, but substantial enough that they can be meditated on throughout the week (and even throughout a lifetime!). 

“I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.” – C.S. Lewis
“They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32

• Music that is performed with excellence will inspire our hearts to sing.
• Music should not manipulate our emotions, but rather serve as a fitting vehicle to carry the joy in our hearts into praise.

“The reason why singing is such a splendid shield against the fiery darts of the devil is that it greatly helps us to forget him, and he cannot endure being forgotten. He likes us to be occupied with him, with what he is doing (our temptations), with his victories (our falls), with anything but our glorious Lord. So sing. Never be afraid of singing too much. We are much more likely to sing too little.” – Amy Carmichael 

• “The secret to freedom from enslaving patterns of sin is worship. You need worship, you need great worship. You need weeping worship. You need glorious worship. You need to sense God’s greatness and to be moved by it – Moved to tears and moved to laughter – moved by who God is and what he has done for you.” Tim Keller 

In general, we believe songs that are founded on a strong melody rather than on distinctive rhythmic or atmospheric elements are best for group singing; so in our repertoire, our goals will be:

• Choosing melodies that are singable to the untrained voice
• Selecting melodies that are beautiful and enjoyable to sing
• Choosing keys that push us to sing with energy, but are not unreachable
• Selecting spirit-led lyrics that complete the joy of our salvation