When Conservatives take the Musical Exit Ramps-Part-3

When Conservatives take the Musical Exit Ramps-Part-3

Being reticent to disclose in writing how a church musics because of a fear that people will not visit our church if we publish our music philosophy is deceitful and dishonest.  Although 2Cointhians 4:2 is not referring to how the church at Corinth musiced unto God, I believe that St. Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians should give us cause to examine how we music unto God because when we music in church we are “handling the word of God”.  Paul, inspired letter to the church at Corinth is an historical proof that the church needed to establish some lines that they would not cross when handling God’s word “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.”  Historically, Christians who were conservative have refused to do some things musically to the message of the gospel when they musiced unto God.

Since I use the term conservative so often, I will define the term as, holding to traditional attitudes and values and being cautious about change or innovation, typically in relationship to religion.  Surely conservative church leaders and worship leaders will agree that musicing in the context of worship has a strong connection to religion.  As a matter of fact, many would consider the music utilized in the context of worship to be musical offerings that they present to God.  It is puzzling that conservative pastors and board members have gone to great length to fill current denominational manuals and web sites with lucidly clear and specific rules about lifestyle, but have almost summarily dismissed any mention, specific or general, of Bible based principles of music and musicing.