Church Music

Danny Sweatt called it correctly in this 1981 book on church music. The chapter titled "Does the Music Agree with the Words?" argues clearly against the notion that music is amoral. "The way a text is expressed is as important as the text itself. If the music has a message, and it does, it should be the same as the text." He further calls for balance in church music by introducing congregations to more than the same handful of hymns each week and exposing people to music that emphasize soul-winning, Bible study, the deeper life, prayer, and missions. He observes that some churches emphasize one of these themes to the near exclusion of all others. He also warns against the danger of examining new music through the filter of "Do I like it?" instead of whether or not it is godly and appropriate. The final chapter warns musicians: "There is no useful service apart from God's blessing. Without the power of God, the most carefully prepared musician becomes but 'sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." Good little book. Reviewed at Reviews.AhavaBaptist.com