October 18, 2009

  • Random thoughts...

    I've been working on many things lately and had little time to blog. Some thoughts popped in my mind and I could write a blog about each of them - if I had the time. You can probably guess what I would say about them.

    • Musical culture (or the lack thereof) of individual members should not be allowed influence the songbook for the church.
       
    • Organists are the responsibility of the consistory.
      Good and bad organists are the responsibility of the consistory too.
      (Future) lack of organists is the responsibility of the consistory too.
      (Future) availability of a sax and drummer is the responsibility of the consistory too.
       
    • The Israelites were not influencing David about which Psalms they wished in their songbook. Therefore the Reformed church members should not (attempt to) influence the content of their songbook.
       
    • Many hymns in many churches are often sung in-context - completely (I have never heard in a church "We'll now sing the hymn 'Abide with me' but just the second and fourth stanza"). Many Psalms in Reformed churches are often sung out-of-context ("We'll now sing Psalm 79 stanza 5").
       
    • With the departure of Rev. Bredenhof from Langley the Assurance of Pardon departed from our liturgy.
       
    • A church should be used to a lot of singing. If the members are complaining about too much singing is an indication that God is missing out on praise He deserves.
       
    • The pre-service song is a contradiction: singing praises to God as a congregation - before of after the handshake - is service to God.
       
    • The church is different than the world. Therefore practice of (organ or piano) music before the service should be revised, because it has the same function as the background music in the shopping malls. (With Christmas it will be the same music).
       
    • Church, home, and school are not giving God the glory if they each promote different styles of Christian music.
       
    • Psalms are sung when the church is oppressed. Hymns are sung when the church worships in freedom.
       
    • When the music and liturgy become topics of debate in church, realize that the devil started it.
       
    • The deficiency of a good intrument for accompaniment is the ultimate responsibility of the consistory.
      The deficiency of a good intrument for accompaniment is the problem of the congregation.
      The deficiency of a good intrument for accompaniment could hinder the praises to God.