The Music War

It's funny how music can start a fight. Believe it or not, religious music can start a fight. Or rather, the people who make the music start the fight. I am part of the United Church of Christ, whose motto is - Wherever you are on life's journey, you're welcome here. At our church, it is becoming more, "you're welcome here, as long as you don't wear jeans but like 300-year-old hymns, all others need not attend." I am a jeans guy (I wear suits all week). I know there is supposedly some concept that respect for God means you wear a suit. However, I don't recall Jesus wearing a tie or loafers. Anyways, the music war raged today, with our music director fighting the praise band. It was awful, and the worst part about is that people lost sight of why music ministry matters. There is line from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade that sticks with me ("Why do you seek the Cup of Christ? Is it for His glory or for yours?") Why do you do music ministry? Is it for His glory or for yours? The war reminded me of a speech I gave during my senior year in high school for a choir scholarship I received (we were in Gulf War I at the time):

Music.
A collection of tones and sounds and words.
An interplay of melody and harmony.
The movement and measure of our existence.
There is so much that music brings us.
Music stirs the soul and touches the wellspring of emotion.
Music moves us in battle, but encourages us to find peace.
Music tells of the love for another.
Music honors those we have lost through the years.
Music brings forth a smile and laugh.
Music covers the heartache and sometimes the tears.
Music is hope and wisdom and faith.
Music unifies people behind a common song.
I could not imagine a world without music.
No songs to be sung.
No horns to blast a brassy tune.
No strings to soothe the savage beast.
No beat and rhythm to which the pace of life is set.
When I was younger, orchestras, bands, minstrels would play in my head.
Now that I am older, I make music.
With every breath, an opus for all time.
Music.
A bit of us all that makes something better and greater.
(the rest is the thanks for the scholarship stuff)

I hope people read this and see God and music in a new light.