During their day, Puritans would play musical instruments in their homes but never in the church. It just wasn’t done that way. The psalm book that they sang from did not have musical notes or notations but the tune was chosen by the presenter and then the congregation followed. Or at least was supposed to. [...]
Entries Categorized as 'Music'
Church Music in the Days of The Puritians
July 4, 2009
Birmingham News Articles About Sacred Harp Convention
June 22, 2009
Sacred Harp syllables take shape at National Convention in Birmingham, Ala.
Fortissimo is the preferred volume level — the only one, in fact. Singers in four voice categories sit in a “hollow square” — altos facing tenors, basses facing trebles — with the leader in the center.
Sacred Harp singers meet in north Shelby County
(video [...]
Sacred Harp Singing – Losing Its Heart
June 22, 2009
This weekend we attended the National Sacred Harp Convention in the Birmingham, Alabama area. I enjoyed getting to hear the style singing that I grew up listening to. Although I found I was seriously out of practice. I could not sing as fast as they did.
The National Convention draws some of the best Sacred Harp [...]
Louis Bourgeois – Old 100th Tune Writer
June 15, 2009
Here is another history lesson on the music wars in the church, of the 1500’s style. This poor man, Louis Bourgeois, gave us the tune to the Old 100th but was essentially run out of town because he dared change the tunes to some familiar Psalms.
Technically though the tune we call the Old 100th was [...]
The Music Wars in the Church Are Not New
June 11, 2009
Over the past few months I have been studying the “Regulative Principle” verses the “Normative Principle” especially as it deals with music and singing in the church. I had never even heard those terms before but I have a great concern for the music that our “Christian” youth are listening to and that the churches [...]
Sacred Harp Convention
June 9, 2009
Sacred Harp Singing – this link will explain Sacred Harp singing. As you will see in the videos, arm waving and foot stomping have been in the church for hundreds of years.
The Thirtieth Annual National Sacred Harp Singing Convention
Birmingham, Alabama
June 18, 19, and 20, 2009
First Christian Church
4954 Valleydale Road
At a sacred harp convention [...]
Dead To Sin – Hymn
June 4, 2009
Thomas Clay
The Melody Pierces the Heart More Strongly – Calvin
March 10, 2009
“Moreover, in speaking now of music, I understand two parts: namely the letter, or subject and matter; secondly, the song, or the melody. It is true that every bad word (as St. Paul has said) perverts good manner, but when the melody is with it, it pierces the heart much more strongly, and enters into [...]
“How Can I Keep From Singing” by Thomas Clay
February 26, 2009
This is another favorite song from the True Church Conference.
How Can I Keep From Singing
My soul was dead, fast-bound and cold
With no desire to serve Him
But to my prison cell He came
In no way to deserve Him
I saw His wounds, His cross, His love
With full salvation bringing
And now His [...]
“God of Grace God of Love” by Thomas Clay
February 25, 2009
This was one of my favorite hymns sung at the True Church Conference.
GOD OF GRACE GOD OF LOVE
Show pity, Lord, O Lord, forgive,
Let a repenting rebel live:
Are not Thy mercies large and free?
May not a sinner trust in Thee?
My crimes are great, but don’t surpass
The power and glory of Thy grace:
Great God, Thy nature hath [...]
True Church Conference 2009 – Music
February 25, 2009
On Friday night of the True Church Conference, after Voddie Baucham’s sermon, there was a time of questions and answers with him and with Thomas Clay about music. Thomas Clay is Grace Life’s music minister. There was a packed room of people to hear the questions and answers about music in the church.
There was no [...]
Worship Volume
February 24, 2009
I found the following article very interesting. At our previous church several of the church members and even the music leader all said they were deaf in one ear. Why? My thought was that they prefered the music too loud.
Memo to Worship Bands
Can you hear me? You can? I’m sorry if I am shouting, but [...]
Give ‘em The Meat
February 19, 2009
My Daughter is in a Youth Orchestra that is formed from students from North East Alabama who have auditioned for the seats. These students really desire to advance in their music beyond what the schools and private lessons allow. Essentially, you would have to say they have a heart for music.
Two weeks ago, they were [...]
Never Take Your Eyes Off The Conductor
February 16, 2009
My daughter and I spent the weekend at the University of Alabama for Orchestra All-State. The conductor for her orchestra was very good, in addition to entertaining enough to keep the youth’s attention for long days, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM one day. He spent the whole time reinforcing the need to never, ever take [...]
More On Family Force 5
February 5, 2009
I am glad that more and more people are starting to notice the detrimental effects of much of the CCM music our youth are listening to. I appreciate Ken Silva exposing the problem for a wider audience.
APPRISING MINISTRIES WITH MORE ON FAMILY FORCE 5
Looks like Apprising Ministries hit some kind of nerve here with Christian [...]
TobyMac – Winter Jam 2009
February 3, 2009
Toby Kevin Michael McKeehan is a founding member of the group DC Talk. DC Talk wrote the song Jesus Freak in 1995. In 2001, DC Talk broke up and each went their own way.
TobyMac begin his solo career performing a version of rock, hip-hop “Christian” music. He is also president of Gotee Records.
Toby Mac is [...]
Family Force 5 at Winter Jam 2009
February 2, 2009
Family Force 5 is one of the bands that are scheduled to play at Winter Jam 2009.
Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries posted the following response to a teen’s question about “How does one become a Christian?” below is the response from Chap Stique one of the band members.
CHRISTIAN BAND FAMILY FORCE 5 ON HOW TO [...]
Winter Jam 2009
February 2, 2009
It is hard to believe that Winter Jam 2009 is back again!
Just one year ago, I heard that the youth at my church were going to Winter Jam 2008. After hearing the group name Skillet and that one of their songs was Rebirthing, I did a little research. That little research turned into a 370 [...]
Ends Justifies the Means?
January 29, 2009
The fact that some people are saved at concerts,
or in a church that enticed them to attend because of the music,
does not give validation to the procedure.
The Lord saves people in spite of our wrong behavior and decisions,
not because of them.
~~~~~~~
IS IT REALLY CHRISTIAN MUSIC?
By Connie W. Schutta Copyright © 2000
See also:
CCM PDF
Is Contemporary “Christian” [...]
Abide With Me
January 25, 2009
Friday night, during an Orchestra Concert, one arraignment played contained the tune Abide With Me by Henry F. Lyte (1793-1847).
ABIDE WITH ME
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s [...]