Advancing the Course for Church Music in Celestial Church of Christ - Slice I

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1 University of Benin - Nigeria From the SelectedWorks of Tope Shola Akinyetun July 5, 2016 Advancing the Course for Church Music in Celestial Church of Christ - Slice I Tope Shola Akinyetun This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC_BY-NC International License. Available at:

2 ADVANCING THE COURSE FOR CHURCH MUSIC IN CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST SLICE I Introduction Music begins with sounds. Sounds begins with the vibration of an object and these vibrations are transmitted to our ears by a medium which is usually air; as a result, our eardrums vibrate too, and impulses (signals) are transmitted to the brain (where the impulses are selected, organized and interpreted). Put differently, we cannot talk about music without making meaning of sounds and sounds on its own involves vibrations sorted and interpreted by the brain. By this interpretation, we mean that the brain chooses that which is pleasant away from that which is not, in other words sounds may be pleasant or unpleasant (this is however subjected to the law of relativity since what is pleasant to A might not be to B). Music is part of this world of sound; for it is art based on the organization of sounds in time. (Music differs from sound via the properties of musical sound; pitch [highness or lowness of sound], dynamics [degree of loudness or lowness], tone colour [distinction and variety in sound] & duration [length of time music lasts]). Characteristics of Music Music as an interdisciplinary field That there is a confluence between music and other fields such as English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Fine Art, Foreign Languages, etc. is not a façade. Indeed, music is a cross-boundary discipline. We have constantly come across terms such as period, stop, addition, ethno, acoustics, shapes, colour, Italian cum German words and a host of other terms that shows Music as inter-relating. Music as an oral phenomenon we listen and respond to music via sound; meanwhile silence is also part of music in form of rests, long rests, dramatic pauses etc. Also, music can be used to speak, talk and gibber. Music as an art as other works of art, music can also be remembered for hundreds of years. That is, music transcends time, generation and history or culture. As case in point is the popularly revered Hallelujah Chorus. Music thus, encourages repeated listening, performance and study. Different works of art can be conveyed through music. A tour to Opera or Symphony will clear the air on this. Music as a universal phenomenon - Music exists in all nations and among all kinds of people and even culture. As a matter of detail, Music knows no religious boundary, after all, it is engaged in by all religious practitioners. Music as a means of expression Music is an expressive language used to communicate feelings and images and can generate aesthetic responses. It can be used to convey and express joy, sorrow, pain, love, merriment, spiritual exhortation, etc. i.e. Joy CCCYHN 882, Sober reflection CCCYHN 580, Love CCCYHN 773, Communion - CCCYHN 771, Spiritual exhortation CCCYHN 233, and the list becomes 1

3 interminable considering how spiritually packed the CCC Hymn Book is. [See CCC Yoruba/English Hymn Book for more]. Music as a psychological phenomenon Music moves the heart, mind, body and thought in variety of ways. It stimulates responses ranging from boredom to love, hatred, detachment, depression, anxiety etc. Music also affects feelings and attitudes, can be used to help therapeutically and neurologically to improve self-esteem and improve social interaction [Read more on Music Therapy if interested]. Music can also serve as an instrument of romance, sentiment and a memory juggler. Church Music Simply put, this is music for the church. Before highlighting the uses of this alternate type of Music, it is expedient to note that not all kinds of Music can be rendered in the Church, if for nothing, but for the presence of the Lord. Uses of church music To allow everyone participate actively in worship The purpose should be to proclaim the message of salvation and exaltation of our Lord Jesus Christ. It also goes further to prepare us for worship and ushers us to the Lord s presence with a prepared heart Ps 100:2, CCC YHN 72 To enhance the quality of worship service and provide opportunities for service to God by those attending the church Ps. 98:5-, CCC YHN 53 Edification of the body of Christ Ephe 5:18-19, I Cor 14:7, CCC YHN 331 Effective evangelistic ministry Music has enticed many to enter the church; especially ours- CCC. It is useful in convicting a sinner of his need for salvation and lead him to confess his sins and surrender to God CCC YHN 15. Helps Christians express the joy they have in following Jesus. Also serves as prayers to God for help in times of trouble, temptation or depression. Also teaches doctrine and confirms the scriptures. The words of our songs influence what we believe about God - CCC YHN 58. Preparation for the heavenly assignment Rev. 15:2-4, Ps. 30:12. We Choir are performing a priestly function 1 Chr 15:16-27, CCC YHN 713. Benefits of Music Music is highly beneficial to us as Christians, students, living hominids etc. considering its Health, Academic, Emotional, Psychological, Mental, and Spiritual recompenses. Academic/Health Benefits of Music Music reduces anxiety, pain, heart rate & blood pressure. Accelerate healing, boosts learning (rote learning), improves neurological disorders, increase social interaction, helps to overcome disability, and impacts brain wave moods whilst strengthening reaction. 2

4 Spiritual Benefits of Music Great way to communicate with God. God loves to hear us sing [Using an electronic Concordance, the Bible mentions the word sing 2950 times, song 3370 times and hymn 890 times.]. Singing is important to the Lord as it is an avenue to talk to and hear from him. Music is consequently a [1] process with 2- way interaction enabled elements. It also comes handy as a form of prayer Ps. 42:8, CCC YHN 408. Helps us to focus. Brings us to the realm of God even if we weren t when we left home. Elevates our mood and keeps us fixed. Helps us discard anxieties of life. Col. 3:16, CCC YHN 544. Music as a weapon or armory for battle - Joshua, 6:15-20, CCC YHN 452. Invites the spirit of God - 2Kings 3:14-17, CCC YHN 238. Aside from the above, Music is also found to be useful for deliverance, healing and addressing emotional as well as psychological problems 1Sam. 16:14-23, CCC YHN 303; 2. Inference and Conclusion Hymns are said to have been the mainstay of Church Music since the Lord s Supper. Today, so called Western and Popular Music [Juju, Fuji, Saje, Miliki, and such], eliminates and minimizes the power of Hymnody. We have eroded the power inherent in harmoniously rendering the Celestial Hymns; Church Music has been watered down, relegated to the background, and even in some cases Jazz-ified, Westernized, and more painfully, jammed with beat(s) thus contradicting the main purpose of hymns- for sober reflection. Indeed we do not see the Hymn Book as complementary to the Bible, but like every other songbook, therefore further thinning and blurring the wide line between Hymn and Song. This is a charge to Celestial Church Shepherds, Elders, Choir members, Directors, Choir Masters/Mistresses, and Members [as the case may be] to remember the sole responsibility of the Choir as contained in Jer. 31:12-15 and Eph. 4:19. CCC YHN 352 captures it aptly when it addresses us directly reminding us of our only assignment Singing the Songs of the Lord. This hymn was very explicit about the kind of songs to sing, it says Songs of the Lord. CCC EHN 744; 4&6 [though reserved in some Hymn Books] says O ye my Choristers, behold the joy with great glory that is given you today; Behold the Choristers that sing Holy to the King of life, prove worthy to be with them [ paraphrased]. I therefore beseech all Choristers to adequately contribute to the edification of the body of Christ through the Songs of the Lord Church Music! CCC YHN 606 & 607. You might ask, what constitutes Church Music, how do I know I am not rendering same and how do I begin to? Simple! Consider all that has been highlighted above and review your music or ministration in line with this expectations. Reminisce on the point that to cease singing hymns [the right way] and other edifying songs in the church is to quench the Spirit. Good Church Music proceeds from the mind, from the spirit and has spiritual effects - 1Cor. 14:15. - Music comes from the spirit even as does prayers. 1 Cor. 14:26. - Music conveys logic, morals, mind of God, will of God, prayers, and prophecy. 3

5 - Music is more than organized sounds; it is a channel for spiritual exercises. - Music is life! - Where words fail, Music speaks. Bro. AKINYETUN, Tope Shola akinyetuntope@gmail.com topeakinyetun.blogspot.com.ng 4