I just reviewed the link that Dan was kind enough to include in his comments. Thank you. What I learned is worship is narrowly defined by this community; however, it does not translate for other cultures. Would a spirited African worship service fall within the definition of the RCUS notion of restraint? What about some South America worship services- lively, noisy worship? What about those worshiping communities who are not artistically sophisticated (whatever that means)? Are they not worshiping? What is meant by "balance", "unity" - and who is evaluating? To declare something as "Principle" must work in any culture and across time. What is considered aesthetic, secular, balanced, etc., varies with the individual, community, and culture. Let's not confuse spiritual with artistic. The Psalms command us to shout, clap our hands, dance before the Lord. Let us worship!

In our church, we determined that the musical "style" of worship would be first informed by the kinds of musicians resident in our congregation. Since our church body had only a location to meet on Sunday mornings for the first several years, we obviously didn't use an organ. However, we DID have a pianist, a drummer, bass player, guitarist, trumpeter, cellist, French hornist, flutist, and singers. Our musical style was contemporary initially. However, we didn't stop there. I use the hornist and cellist in most songs. For Christmas and Easter, we pull out the brass music, hire two more players, and have a brass quartet. We also sing a hymn just about every service and use The Hymnal with orchestration for the instruments. Our music style is contemporary but add variety and "color" to our worship experience by using the gifts God's placed in our congregation. We don't replicate the church down the road. We are who we are and offer worship of God with our gifts.

I've been around for a long time, long enough to have seen the beginning of the contemporary christian music fad, and the way it has infected the church. At first I was enthusiastic, but before long I noticed a distinct lack. I heard once that the church sang her theology. I think this is true. And if it is true, what does it say about today's worship music - in general? In my opinion, today's contemporary christian music is nothing more than chewing gum for the soul. For those who are interested in developing a philosophy of church music, the following link is suggestive: http://www.rcus.org/index.php/worship/worship-music/180-principles-music

This is interesting and timely, because I just came to a position of participation/leadership in musical worship at my new church, and the biggest controversy in the comments here seems to be over the idea of "who is here/should be here." My rector held an open meeting for all who want to be involved, seven people came, and he said, "We'll know what kind of ministry we have by the leaders who are raised up" - and he wasn't talking about style, so I wonder if him and Bryan were talking about the same thing here (though of course style is an unavoidable factor). My desire is to see everyone be brought and come to worship through song in a way that IS so obsessed with the gospel that people will stop caring whether or not drums or organs are involved. I can't begin to tell you how liberating it was when I stopped caring what instruments were used and when songs were written. For me, in my current context, that's what the freedom to worship means.

One of the worst things i;v heard right at the start of a worship service , by the leader was ,"i dont know about you , but i just came to praise the lord" Apparently its been quite common to say that , for somthing to say before we begin , but the net outcome or the implication is bascially a put down , like we are all a bunch of loosers at being god worshippers , except of course for the leader ,alone . Like... thanks for the encouragment pal, you can definatly expect an enthusiactic response now. Its actually a killer comment that just makes most people feel lifeless and insignificant , while exalting the so called leader to a lofty hieght like jesus or somthing .