Music is an integral part of life. It’s something we get exposed to from childhood through adulthood. From the sounds of lullabies from mothers to whistle of the wind, down to the pattering sounds from raindrops, there’s no limit to the ways we connect to music. Without it, life as we know it would be profoundly dull as it goes beyond the sound itself; it’s more of how it resonates with my soul. Music has the power to change our moods, battle depression, express joy, etc. Music also unites people by breaking cultural and religious barriers.
To thoroughly enjoy music in a church gathering, there’s the need to create an enabling environment – one free from foul smell and noise. If it’s taking place in a building, it’s important to ensure that people breathe in quality air while listening to music. And if it’s a tent, you will want to ensure that the environment is free from debris and unpleasant smell. To achieve this, efforts must be made to invest in gadgets which can help improve the air quality.
In religious parlance, music can be categorized into two; secular and religious. Secular music includes all those songs and tunes that can’t be played or used in religious settings. They’re considered ‘worldly’ and ‘unfit’ for religious gatherings, such as a church. On the other hand, religious music refers to those songs and tunes that can be adopted for religious proceedings. They’re considered fit to be played in ‘holy’ settings.
Music and Church
A church is one of the places music is highly appreciated. As it’s a gathering of souls from different backgrounds with a common goal, music is one of the unifying tools usually deployed to cut through racial and ethnic barriers. Church music is often referred to as ‘gospel music’ due to its capability of being adopted for the preaching of the Gospel. In the Christian bible, references were made in several chapters and verses on the importance of songs, worships, and praises (all part of the music) in the church. Music in the church may be vocal or instrumental, or a combination of both.
The importance of the music ministry in the church can never be overstated. This article will be examining some of the benefits.
1. Enhances Connection to God
Music is one of the most powerful spiritual tools that shape the imaginative faculty of people. Through hymns and songs of praises, people are made to see life and God in a different light. It opens the eyes of believers to the wonders of the universe and its creator. A familiar quote from Saint Augustine, “He who sings prays twice,” further underlines music’s ability to get us closer to the creator. The biblical David mostly communicated with God through music. Paul, the Apostle, also highlighted the divine connection ability of music in his various apostolic missions. Many Christians sing gospel songs to edify their spirit and cleanse their soul.
2. It’s a Way of Obeying God’s Command
Church music ministry is profoundly biblical. If you didn’t know, now you do. There’re several verses in the bible that attest to God’s instructions to believers concerning music. In Paul’s Gospel to the Colossians in Col 3:16, he wrote, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Something similar is also shown in Ephesians 5:19, which says, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” These two verses show that God wants us to sing and make music in his name.
3. It Teaches and Reminds Us of the Gospel
The music ministry exists to teach us of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the promises inherent in it. It reminds us of the sovereignty of God and all he’s capable of doing. It makes us understand that irrespective of what we may be going through at any point in life, his faithfulness remains. Listening to music rendition in the church is capable of filling us with warmth and love we so desperately crave for as humans.
4. Music Unites People in Church
Worship, which is mostly done through music, has a unique way of unifying people. Irrespective of their tribes, races, and religious affiliations, worshippers tend to get in sync with one another as they all share a common purpose- submission to God. At the melodious sound of music in church, everybody becomes united, and all focus turns to the Supreme Being.
Conclusion
Music and church go hand-in-hand. One exists to glorify the activities of the other. Without the sound of vocals or instruments signifying music’s presence, the church would appear gloomy and wouldn’t be able to serve its purposes fully. “In the presence of God, there is fullness of joy” is a biblical statement that encapsulates music.
