Toward a better hymnody

Check it out -- http://sounddoxology.blogspot.com/2009/10/towards-better-hymnody.html

Sound counsel from 1959!

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"In defense of musical diversity"

You simply must check this out. From Kevin DeYoung's blog.

Since he argues in a very similar way as I think about our gathered singing -- of course I think it's good! See it here.

So how do we connect this with Steve Hartland's point made in his sermon? (See the Quo Vadis? posts) Or better put, how should HBC process it? We already operate with a very similar kind of eclecticism. I have thoughts (the coming Quo Vadis, part 3) about specific steps HBC should take in moving forward.

I think every church must find the wisest and boldest path it can. It should mean different answers in different congregations.

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Australian site for new songs

Since we've been 'across the pond,' now we should travel 'down under.' EMU music. This is awonderful site for new songs. They state their purpose: "Emu Music exists to resource churches with new songs of the Word and to train musicians in effective Biblical music ministry." Their music reminds of the reAwakening albums from Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN.

Right now my headphones are on and I'm listening to Emu's newest album, New song in my heart Read More......

UK website for new songs

No, Wildcat fans -- this has nothing to do with UK's basketball hopes for next year. Think 'across the pond.' See if anything works for you.

Songs for Today - Biblical songs for today's church

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Making songs singable

Two more blogs from guys who know what they're doing.
Bob Kauflin, in Worship Matters, writes "Finding the right key to sing in." He discusses the importance of listening to the congregation, how tempo affects range, the breadth of range and its tessitura (fancy word for what he calls "repetition"), modulating, etc. Helpful stuff.

Secondly, check out Don Chapman on worshipideas.com, on "Singable songs." This may be something you have to sign up to read -- but there's no fee. And this is a site I go to regularly. He speaks, like Kauflin, of the importance of listening to your congregation and knowing their age and musical experiences. Read More......

Future of Church Music

You should check this out -- Eric Priest, a pastor at Christ the King Pres in Houston. In responding to questions on another blog, he makes sound points about our music, about whom we really worship in our "worship." Read it here. 

• We must return from a musician-focus to a congregation-focus. That means putting songs in keys people actually can sing, choosing singable songs, supporting the singing above showcasing talent, etc.
• Humility required.
• Resisting the urge to follow the latest trend found in mega-churches.
• Nurturing/teaching congregations to come for corporate (not private) worship.

Best line: As long as we see worship as a production and the congregation as an audience, we'll stay sick.

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Just think about it, okay?

"Likewise, churches, if you insist on operating like it's 1963, you might not be too long for this world. If you're just now considering using contemporary music in your worship, you're 20 years behind. If your church is full of politics that strangle your ministry, you just might be put "out of business" by churches who are more concerned with seeing people reached for Christ."

Read "The Next Big Thing" by Don Chapman.

While I remain unconvinced about the multiple-site church idea (whatever happened to planting indigenous churches?), perhaps I've just never been in a situation where it would make sense. At least read this and think about our music in Reformed Baptist churches. Could it be that our adherance to the Trinity Hymnal actually hinders our growth? Could it be that we could affirm the regulative principle of worship, maintain at atmosphere of gladness and gravity, while using contemporary music styles and instrumentation?
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"I hate it when my worship leader..."

Read this with discernment, but there are good lessons for us to learn and mistakes to avoid. See here. Read More......

How loud is too loud?

Check out Bob Kauflin's article, "How loud the worship team?" at his blog site, worshipmatters.com....

In my judgment, at HBC we do NOT have the problem of being too loud -- in fact, often we need much more sound. I realize that musical tastes and musical judgments vary widely. If you're not used to an amplified guitar, for instance, any volume sounds too high. Nevertheless, if the congregation near the back of the auditorium can't follow a key or tempo change, then we're not loud enough. If the folks in the back don't know when to come in, then we're not loud enough. Really.

We're still working on sound. I'm thankful for the 3 guys we have -- Dwayne, Dan and David. They work hard at our services! We should probably bring in some professional insight to help us out with mixing, frequency pushing, etc.
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Can't help myself

The Youngest Master: Mendelssohn at two hundred by Alex Ross. from The New Yorker. Read it here. 

Excerpt from Overture to a Midsummer Night's Dream. (He was 16 years old!)

Claudio Abbado conducting the London Symphony, DG 471467.

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A sermon you should hear

"Worshiping Together" from Mike Bullmore, pastor at Crossway Community Church (Bristol, WI). Psalm 34:3, Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! He covers what genuinely unites us in worship (rather than the tyranny of personal musical taste). Excellent applications. I've found it to be really helpful.  Read More......

More useful information

Also from CCLI -- from a survey in February the 'top ten' list of worship songs -- then some observations on what these songs have in common. Helpful stuff. Check it out here. Read More......

Check this out

CCLI's annual church survey of music. Might be useful to you. Find it here. Read More......

Check out...

Another website from Don Chapman: worshipideas.com. The sign up is free. And you can read this short article called, "The Top Three Mistakes In Contemporary Worship." Actually I think this a good read for those making the transition from a traditional worship format to something more contemporary.

And yes, I really do hold to the regulative principle. We are not as those who think we may do anything we dream up for the worship of God. God's Word rules and directs our approach to him. But we can safely agree that the traditional form of worship is just that -- a tradition. Doesn't mean it's wrong.  But it may not be most effective in our generation. Could it be that we Reformed Baptists could make some adjustments in how we sing?  

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Another book recommendation

I found this in a serendipitous moment while perusing a local Christian bookstore. It was also highly recommended later at the WorshipGod08 conference (sovereign grace/gaithersburg) in August. Greg Scheer (see his web site here) is connected to the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. This book (get it here) has helped me greatly -- a classically-trained musician trying to 'get up to speed' in the contemporary worship genre. 

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Check out...

Another web site with all kinds of links to helpful places.

http://www.rhythmofworship.com/worship%20resources.htm

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Check out...

http://furtherup.com (Mark Heinrich, worship leader at Bethlehem Baptist/Minneapolis) 

and http://alllifeisworship.com, also from Mark.

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