Archive for November, 2010
Playing Guitar For Church
Today most modern churches have replaced traditional instrumentation with rock based bands that lead worshipers in song with guitars, drums, keyboards and the like. Most of this music is guitar driven, which has given guitarists an opportunity to use their talent to serve the church. For those looking to get started playing guitar for worship or to play guitar for church, here are some tips to get you going.
Express Your Interest
Simple Church, An Introduction to an Organic Faith Community
Today many are discovering and experiencing what church life is like when believers come together to share the life of Jesus organically within a local “Simple church” community!
What is a house church?
The Tradition of Singing in the Catholic Church
Singing within the Catholic Church has enjoyed a long and varied history. Therefore, it should come as little surprise that The Priests, a group of three Irish priests, have signed a recording contract and will be releasing a debut album in November that is set to include a number of liturgical pieces as well as hymns. Just a few of the pieces that are expected to be included on the album include Ave Maria, Abide With Me and Be Still My Soul.
While early traditions of the church are sometimes seen as far different from modern practices, congregational singing was always an important element in the early church. From the earliest days of the church, the practice of singing psalms has taken place. To a large degree, psalm singing is a carry-over from synagogues. The elementary form grew from the practice of morning and evening prayers. Over the years, the styles of psalm singing have changed as cultures as well as musical tastes have evolved throughout time. In the last few years, the practice of singing has experienced a strong resurgence. One of the primary events that led to this resurgence occurred when Latin gave way to vernacular within the church. As a result, new settings needed to be composed. This was an important change within the tradition because it then made it possible for the congregation to take part in singing the psalms in a more meaningful way. That tradition of singing has carried over into modern times. Today, singing within the church is considered to be a favored part of worship. Depending on the nature of the hymn, singing within the church can allow the congregation to express the various moods of worship.
Let’s Simplify Church
The Kingdom of God is experiencing its greatest growth in the most unlikey places today: China, India, the Middle East, etc., while the American Multi-Denominational Institutional Church that we all know and love – from which most of us came – is shrinking. Three places in the USA where the Kingdom is thriving the most are in its prison facilities, its workplaces and in its homes. Hmmm. We can’t help but detect a pattern and some commonalities: These thriving Kingdom communities consist of people who meet in smaller relational groups that are less recognized and less formal.
Could it be that by complicating how we “do” church here in the United States we have actually DECREASED our effectiveness and our relevance to society?