~As a minister of music and long time church musician – I’ve been there, seen it and played it all when it comes to church music. From the hand clappin’ ole’ time gospel and powerful hymns and anthems to the praise filled contemporary styles and tear- jerking worship cries – I’ve heard it all and loved it – don’t get me wrong. However, there is ONE thing missing. There’s one thing lacking in many services – one change that could cause a worldwide sweep of God’s holy spirit to pour down on all of us in a new way. The missing link is songs of praise written just for your experience, only for your house of God. Original music from the heart of your church home.
I bet you are thinking – but, why? That’s what we have Fred Hammond, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, and Kirk Franklin for. Yes, they are wonderful and we love to sing their songs. The truth is – they are phenomenal and we could sing their songs from sunrise to sunset. In fact, most of us probably do. They have a ministry to do and we, the church body, are a part of that, too. Part of their ministry is to help bring unsaved and lost souls to Christ, as well as help keep us on fire for God.
However, there is a greater responsibility we as church musicians have for our ministries. We have to bring the power of God through the word and the anointing to our individual church bodies through music. We have to embrace and nurture each church’s vision. Music, which is approximately 70% of each service and therefore one of the most influential parts of the service, is the channel with which we are called to deliver the word. So why aren’t enough musicians opening their own hearts and letting God use them to pour out original songs that directly relate to the hearts of our congregations?
Yes, Gospel music and Contemporary Christian music offer a wide rage of excellent music, but do the songs deliver your pastor’s vision? If your church is focusing on the subject of faith – Is your praise team or choir singing that specific message into people’s spirits? Is the song talking about faith or is it talking about loving your neighbor? Why not back up the message? People listen to the pastor, but they participate with the musicians. They are actively involved – clapping and singing and jumping around. Do they go home humming the same lyrics and theme that the pastor expressed, or are they humming what they’ll be hearing on the radio all week? I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, but why not leave a lasting impression from the service music? Why not leave it using new original music? We cannot forget that it is the job of the musicians to minister first.
Each pastor has a specific vision for his or her ministry and the music, and their sermons are structured towards that. Though it may be a hard fact to accept – not every song that is played on the radio is formatted for every church’s vision. God may need to focus on a subject untouched for your particular church, one that is not addressed by current or even past songs. What about the changing generation? We need more songs that reflect those changes in the lyrics.
It is also important to know that not every hymn and anthem, though wonderful traditional pieces, is suitable for the vision of the church. The musicians must find a common ground between the Pastor’s vision for his house and the musician’s vision for worship. The only solution to the problem is to write and implement original songs that are suitable for the vision of that church. Here are several ways that songwriters and musicians can accomplish this.
MEET WITH THE PASTOR. Songwriters should meet with the pastor to let him or her know that you are excited about a new way to accommodate their specific vision for worship. Pastors are usually very open to talking with members and staff about their vision. Afterwards, take note and begin to implement the appropriate music at the correct places. If you are a songwriter who is not directly involved in music ministry, talk to the music minister before meeting with the pastor.
RESEARCH THE CHURCH ACTIVITIES. For instance, the church’s special events such as Easter and Christmas plays, The Pastor’s Anniversary Celebration and other church or holiday events are the perfect times to introduce new songs. Choir directors and musicians are always looking for a new approach during these venues, and they will be excited to find help sitting right in their own church pews.
TEACH THE CHURCH TO JOIN IN. Once you are on to something good, people always follow. Take the new original songs and teach them to the congregation, encourage them to join in. You could even have a contest or show for the new songs. Make it fun. In the midst of praising and worshiping God, one of these great songs may even get discovered or spark interest from the music industry.
Whether you are an instrumentalist, songwriter, minister of music, choir director, or even an aspiring artist, you can use your God given talent in your own church. There is a desperate need for your music because God has a purpose for every individual ministry. Your church will benefit greatly from the contributions of your music. Don’t wait to explore the possibilities. You may just find a hidden opportunity from your gifts that will change your life, your career and the lives of many others – and that is what Gospel music is all about.
This column is written by JOSHUA HEAD, author, music minister, clinician and consultant for churches across the country. He has been a guest speaker at several national conferences including the Urban Outreach Conference, Church Music Workshop of America, GMWA, and NANM
