Comments on: Worship in Silence

By: Gary Simmons

Gary Simmons — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:48:18 +0000

What we need is a worship that combines Deuteronomy 5:24 — experience — with Deuteronomy 6:4-9 — total participation, including the mental faculty, emotion, and me’odekha (“everything you’ve got”). As Sarah points out, our worship needs to be more holistic.

As to the musical notation: having seen powerpoint done both ways, I’ll say it’s harder to read the words on screen in a smaller font since notation takes up room. However, the use of notation can be helpful for sure.

I’d also like to randomly plug for the band, Sons of Korah, who do excellent renditions of the Psalms. Not just the joyous ones, either. I love their versions of Psalms 3, 14, and 51. Look for ‘em on youtube.

By: ScottL

ScottL — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:17:27 +0000

I suppose that worship in song was not always accompanied by lyrics and/or musical notes (at least before the printing press). I am a musician and can possibly understand the importance of these practical things, though 90% of people would not be helped by musical notation, though they generally appreciate the words.

One thing I find myself teaching our congregation is that worship is much bigger than the PowerPoint (or words printed in any format – paper, hymnal, etc). There is nothing wrong with the provision of the specific words. They are truth and thus good and helpful. But, in the end, I suppose worship is bigger than the printed words. The greatest worship book in Scripture, the Psalms, came out of an overflowing heart. And we know worship is greater than musical accompaniment, though that is also wonderful. Worship is an overflow of the heart.

There was no music or melodic words at the top of Mt Moriah, but we still read Abraham was going up there to worship (Gen 22). I think that is amazing. Worship is, thus, bigger than words and/or musical notation. Therefore, we can enter into the worship relationship with our Father at any point, at any place. I know we know this. But it is a beautiful reminder.

By: Sarah Flashing

Sarah Flashing — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:18:09 +0000

I realize I may have implied by this post that we need to revert back to the use of hymnals, which presupposes going back to the more traditional sounds. actually, what I’m arguing for is no matter the style of music in use, please bring back the notation. Yes, a lot of people don’t need it, but I think there are many more people who do.

By: Bryant

Bryant — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:15:48 +0000

I have never thought of it that way, in terms you mentioned; though this is one subject that no doubt would open up a varied and lengthy debate on Traditional vs. Contemporary music. You make a valid point but I am afraid that it falls on deaf ears because as the saying goes, “the church is two steps behind the culture” and perhaps even closer aka technology. The thing is, I believe younger people, (let us say 30 and down, okay being modest 40 and down) are flocking to the music worship because it quite simply rocks. The sad thing in this is as you laid out what are they really hearing and understanding logically in a biblical sense. Some of the music these days reminds me of the stuff I use to listen back in the late 60’-70’s & 80’s respectively, same tune different words. The church today in a more contemporary sense is losing its connection with the truth and consequences that the bible teaches. It is not always a smooth easy path to follow; quite honestly a rocky road few will follow when one knows that the blood of the martyrs is the seeds of the church. But that is old school music…

By: rebecca

rebecca — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:45:37 +0000

One of my pet peeves is not having music to read as I sing. Like you, I just can’t participate as well when I can’t see what I’m supposed to be doing. Even when it’s a familiar hymn, if I have only projected words, I find participation more difficult.

But I suspect we are in the minority, and a very small minority, and that most people feel more comfortable singing without a hymnal.

It all makes me a little sad.