God gave me the gift to play the piano. At the age of 12 I learned to play on my own by ear. My parents tried to nurture my gift but it was actually muffled and stifled. I played in churches and for many occasions. I heard and met great musicians. Then, my playing came to a hault, not intentionally, but I realized that I really could not play. I had no spiritual place of my own. I realize now that I was really unfamiliar with true worship. It was burdening to me that I could not play because I have always had a vision of myself playing with a great ministry of worship. This vision was never really clear. God took me away from the piano and I begin to sit in the church as a listener, someone seeking worship, seeking that place with God. And I found it in a place that I believe does not have great music, but I have learned that it is more than just the music. It's the words, just like the article says. It's the word alive in me, feeding my spirit, mind, and soul. It's knowing the truth.

What is the Spirit saying to the Church? What is the purpose of meeting together? It is for praise, worship,prayer,repentance,the call to salvation, and the work of the Spirit to equip us for good works. Music is certainly a part of praise and worship, and the move of the Spirit will lead to repentance, salvation and lives dedicated to the service of God. All of the above are not for our consumption/pleasure but for the Glory of God! Music is but a symptom of a much bigger problem. Could it be that we have "church" all wrong? Big buildings with ministry leaders and a "pastor" who is required to be all things to all people and deliver a soul inspiring message every time they open their mouths. The Bible is our authority and gives us a model for help and is found in the Church in Acts. Folks meeting and living together,things shared in common and in one accord following the lead of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ with very little emphasis on material things.

I agree in part with this, particularly when the focus moves from God to the music or the performance. As a musician and worship leader, I have to remain focused on the reason for worship and make sure that God is at the center of all I do, all the while guarding against pride, selfishness, complacency, and a host of other potential pitfalls. I am here to serve God and not to glorify myself or those I work with. I try to lead others to worship, to step out of the way and let God work through me to reach others.
That being said, it is difficult (some say impossible) to effectively minister to everyone. You can pretty much count on someone feeling unsatisfied, disconnected, or uninspired. We are all different, at different stages of our life and walk, and moved in different ways. This same point could be made regarding preaching, educational programs, childrens programs, or most other areas of ministry in the church.
Whatever we do, do it for the glory of God and all will be well.

Jesus' love meets us where we are and moves us closer to God from there. Christians in local churches should embody Jesus in this way, but, since we're all still "in transit", we have limited ability to apply the principle. Music in worship is a place for us to practice Jesus' love. Without love, even the best music is a clashing cymbal or a noisy gong, and has no possibility of honoring God.

One thing is certain, no matter how "excellent" our earthly music, it will be silenced at the sound of the angelic chorus at Christ's return.

Music! Sounds like King David's wife complaining about making a fool of himself in public by dancing and praising GOD with abandament. The Angel Lucifer was the chior leader in heaven before his fall, or being kicked out of heaven.
Now Lucifer, called Satan, has taken ALL the music to glorify sin. What the world listens to is music that has been high-jacked by the evil one. ALL music was meant to glorify GOD. So I prayed for years that GOD would raise up a generation to take back ALL the music for the glory of the LORD. I can say now, that prayer is being answered.
I love the old hymns, especially"Swing Low Sweet Chairiot".
But I have heard the organ played at so many funnerals, that it makes me sad and depressed to hear them now. So when I want to worship and praise the LORD, I want to hear music, with instruments of all kinds and to be excited about my worship and praise, giving to it with all my heart.
To dance and praise just like David did!GOD bless the young people's praise.

I think the moratorium is a great idea.

We have created a performer/audience culture with the praise band on stage. The congregation is passive...No one sings. We don't know the lyrics. The phrasing often conflicts with the natural rhythm of the text. The tunes are repetitive and simplistic. The band pantomimes Christian and pop cliche mannerisms.

As a long time professional musician, I can tell you that this just does not work as praise.

this is a subject which I have pondered over for some time, with no clear cut answer. On the one hand, I really such classics as the Messiah, and other classic Christian music. On the other hand I see Church groups which are composed primarily of retired and older working people. there is a conspicuous lack of young people. As a person who has spent much of my life studying music I really dislike distorted guitars and musicians who might know 8 to 10 guitar chords and scream at the top of their voice. Yet if that is the only way to bring young people to know should we not pursue it anyway? I am of the opinion that we should give of our best to God, and I can't believe that rock guitar is our best. But can we sit idly by and see young people go to hell?
Jim

I love this article and thank you for it. You did a great job not mincing words right up to the end. If there is an emotional dependency going on, idolatry, or something unhealthy, then call it what it what the Bible calls it - sin.

Here's an excerpt from my upcoming book, Christian Mythology, on this subject:

What are God’s precepts for music? What does He desire for music that glorifies Him? The answer is obvious and has been staring us in the face for millennia. Here are two clues: Col 3:16 and Eph 5:19.

In Colossians 3:16, if your eyes went directly to the word "psalms" then you missed the first clue. The first clue is clearly “the word of Christ”. God desires to to hear His own words. We know this is true because God the Father said so in regards to His Son, “This is my beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him.” Jesus said, “I am the…truth.” Therefore, to worship in truth, it is only logical and plainly scriptural that we use His words in our music.