“Let’s sing that chorus one more time!” the worship leader calls out. You sing it again, this time louder and with more energy, “amening” the truth of the song with your voice along with everyone around you. In today’s music world, the best part of a song is often imbedded in the chorus or refrain.... Continue Reading →
Entertained or Edified?
Recently I watched an intriguing YouTube video by bass player and composer Adam Neely called “Learning to Like Contemporary Christian Music (the music I hate).” Adam takes us on a interesting journey as he studies the style and form of some of the big names in modern contemporary worship. I agree with much of what... Continue Reading →
Bring Back the Psalms!
We talk about what we love. I have found in a church setting that the best way to connect with someone from a different demographic is to ask them about what I think they might love. Elderly people like to talk about their family and their past experiences. Middle aged people often talk about their... Continue Reading →
The Harvard Reformers: Learning to Sing Again
You're standing to sing in a new church. The worship leader gets up to lead the first song, with the words on the screen behind him. Then you realize you can't sing the song because you've never heard it. Did the worship leader write it? Who knows. But you're left standing there, with about a... Continue Reading →
What Happened to the Singing?
In 1640 the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony printed the Bay Psalm Book. It was the first printed book in North America. It was originally entitled The Whole Booke of Psalms Faithfully Translated into English Metre. That title highlights the Puritan desire for a psalm book that clearly reflected the original Hebrew poetry of the... Continue Reading →