God made Music to be Powerful

God made Music to be Powerful Music is powerful, because God made it so. Here’s how I know. In a moment, you will read a prayer that was written in the 1200’s. You were probably exposed to these words 30 or 40 years ago but you will instantly recall this prayer, word for word, as [...]

Music Is…

Music Is… Music is the “viva cox evangelii” … … the living voice of the Gospel Music is powerful Music is what feelings sound like Music is the poetry of the air 1 Music is a gift from God that serves the WORD Music is an outburst of the soul 2 Music is what life [...]

Responding with Scripture

Some comments that I’ve heard concerning contemporary music and how to respond using scripture:  The guitar does not belong in the church because it’s the devil’s instrument and it’s association with rock music The music of the strings makes you glad (Ps 45:8) I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the [...]

WELS Worship Poll Results

Dear fellow WELS and ELS members, as promised, here are the results from my recent poll on worship music style within our Synods.  First I would like to thank all of those who have participated and may God bless each of your congregation’s richly through your eagerness to improve your worship and musical offerings – [...]

Try a Little Variety!

Do you use the same singing routine week after week?  If you use only hymns – try a few contemporary pieces. If you use only contemporary songs – try a few hymns. Try singing a familiar congregational song acapella. Try a “call-and-response” type song. Ask a few talented singers in the pews to sing in [...]

HOTD

Many of you know that this is an acronym for “Hymn of the Day.”  The HOTD is the musical piece that precedes the sermon.  Lyrically it is the hardest hitting piece of the worship set, is spot-on with the readings and sometimes is even referred to by the Pastor in his sermon.  The relationship between [...]

I do not like this newer music

I do not like this newer music. Here’s why: 1. It is too new; like an unknown language 2. It is not as melodious as the more established style. 3. There are so many songs that it is impossible to learn them all. 4. It creates disturbances and causes people to act in an indecent [...]

Strong Worship Songs

There is a new BLOG whose objective is to identify music in the Contemporary Christian genre that are filled with biblical truths and are fit for use in today’s churches that recognize the inerrancy and importance of scripture. Further, the BLOG writer categorizes the songs by the church calendar to make it easier to find [...]

CW Hymnal Resources – A Ministry of Tim Bode

 Tim Bode is the Minister of Music at Christ The King (CTK) Lutheran Church located in Southgate MI.  CTK Lutheran appears to have four Praise Bands named North, South, East and West Bands.  Wow!  Tim has created a website of musical resources for Lutheran hymns and for some liturgical pieces as well.  Included at his website are some of [...]

Fellowship with Musical Diversity

Is diversity in musical style akin to a lack of unity in faith? The simple answer is “no”.  Here’s why: I profess a unity of faith; even in the most blended of services at my church; through the creeds, the prayers, the liturgy, through a set of common beliefs based on, and anchored in, God’s [...]