Grace and Style

This is Grace Community Church's position on musical style of worship. Sometimes our preferences whether tradition or contemporary get in the way of True Worship. We come to church to hear from God, through Word and Sacrament. The word either preached or sung. Rod Rosenbladt from the WHI said that "even if the Pastor blows it in His sermon, we should still be able to hear about Christ and Him crucified during the Liturgy." This means that if the Pastor doesn't preach what he is supposed to the rest of the service ought to point us to Christ and Him Crucified and that our sins are forgiven. Especially during the Lord's Supper and Baptism. Also, don't forget that Jesus said that Mary was doing the right thing just sitting there listening to her Lord, while Martha was busy doing things that Martha thought were the right things to be doing. I think our churches are always trying to do the Martha thing when we should be doing the Mary thing. "Don't just do something... sit there!!" (Rosenbladt)

Grace and Peace,

Chris
www.Reform-Shire.blogspot.com
Coram Deo!!!

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Grace and Style Posted: 15 Aug 2008 02:01 AM CDT What is Grace Church's view on musical style in the church? The Bible does not prescribe a particular style of music as being solely acceptable to God, nor does it condemn any particular styles. But it does contain principles that we can apply to any situation and ascertain what course of action will please God. When it comes to choices about what style to use in the church, we should apply the principle of appropriateness. At Grace Church, our Sunday worship services contain musical styles that are appropriate for all ages ‑‑ we try to be careful not to distract anyone present by using music that could be considered controversial in any way. But in our youth meetings and events at The Master's College, more contemporary styles are often played or sung. We require the lyrics in the latter to be doctrinally sound and clearly understandable. Some churches and Christian schools teach that any music with a drumbeat or electric guitar is worldly and sinful. We do not do so at Grace Church because the Bible tells us "not to exceed what is written" (1 Corinthians 4:6). We cannot add to the Scripture without subtracting from its effectiveness in our lives. If we elevate personal preference and man-made tradition to the level of God's Word (Mark 7:6-15), we risk entangling people in the bondage of legalism and diverting them from the true issues of sanctification (Romans 14:17). Here are five questions you can ask when evaluating music: 1. What is the lyrical content of the song? Are the words true? Are they biblically accurate? 2. Does the way in which the lyrics are presented cheapen the message? 3. Does the song make you conscious of the Lord, and draw you to Him, or does it distract from true worship? 4. Do the musical style and performance promote and facilitate a worshipful atmosphere? Or do they somehow undermine the truth and purity of the lyrical content? 5. Is the life‑style of the musician honoring to God?

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