Effect of music during worship sevice - Term Paper Example

? Music is essential during worship since it strengthens the beliefs of the congregation. Music transcends beyond the physical realms of the worshippers thus assisting the worshippers in glorifying God. This research paper will study the effect of music during worship. Effect of music during worship service Research methodology The research study will use both primary and secondary data in understanding the effects of music during worship. The data collecting will involve surveys of a population of worshippers. The research population will consist of 1,000 Christians whereby a sample of 200 hundred participants will be selected. Stratified sampling method will be used to select as representative sample from the population. The population will first be divided in to eight strata depending on the Christian faith of each individual, then a random sample will be selected from each strata. 25 Christians will be selected from each stratum in order to participate in the final survey. Simple data analysis software will be used to determine the effect of music on worship depending on the perception on the impact of music during worship. Results Majority of the respondents asserted that music is influential during Christian worship. 70 percent of the respondents asserted that music strengthened their religious beliefs and unified the congregation. More than fifty percent of the respondents asserted that they attend worship more than once in a week and are attracted by the praise music in Church. 90 percent of the respondents asserted that gospel and inspirational music are incorporated in all worship services and worship is meaningless without music. In addition, 70 percent of respondents agreed that music during worship affects their emotions, enables them to glorify God and strengthens them both physically and spiritually. Both female and male Christians asserted that music is useful during worship regardless of the age of the participant. Surprisingly, few respondents asserted that they were interested in traditional hymns and Negro spirituals during worship. Gospel was rated the second best music while inspirational music was rated as the leading type of worship music. Discussions From the findings, music during worship is necessary since worship starts with a vocal praise and helps the worshippers enter presence with God through exalting him (Stringer, 2005). Music during worship will establish the mood thus enabling the congregation to value both faith and feelings towards the creator (White, 2010). Musical rhythms have deep personal associations for worshippers thus act as a reference point during worship (Leonard, 1990). Music during worship facilitates revelation since Christians believe that revelation that is both natural through human experience and also supernatural through praise and worship (Smith, 2004). However, majority of the Catholic respondents see music as not essential during worship and they do not necessary express their freedom through bodily movements, but through prayer (Hauerwas & Wells, 2011). From the above findings, it is clear that a majority of the Churches incorporate music during their worship regardless of whether in an urban or rural setting. Since contemporary music is the most preferred type of music, some Christian denominations like Methodist, Baptism and Non-denominational will have to enhance the quality of the music in order to attract more congregation (Macquarrie, 2003). Music provides the worshippers with a freedom to express their deep feelings about their God through dancing, joy and lifting of hands (White, 2006). Music is a means of exhortation since some anthems and solos are purely geared at exhortation thus worshippers will be able to express their personal testimony with their God thus acting as both worshippers and the preacher (Foley & Bangert, 2000). Praise through music humbles the worshippers since it is a sign of adoration from the creator thus something dynamic usually happens in the souls of the singers (Kurtz, 2008). Music during worship is associated with theology and lyrics that distinguish the contemporary worship methods from the traditional worship practices (Christian, 2003). Music plays a role of expression in Christian faith. For instance, Psalms 28:7 makes it clear that music is appreciated in Christian worship by asserting that Christians should praise God through worship (Segler and Bradley, 2006). Many Christian churches use music as a sign of honor and glorification of God. The melodies, lyrics and harmonies are used in praising God thus strengthening the religious bond with their creator (Sirchio, 2012). According to some Christians, God has granted all people music so that they can appreciate and express their merciful, holy and compassionate feelings about the suffering of Messiah (Sloboda, 2004). In addition, praising God through music is akin to thanking him for his mankind to humanity just like the Biblical Leah named his son ‘Praise’. Accordingly, songs during worship help strengthen the thankfulness and humility thus freeing the singers of any pressures before getting to the ordinary worship (Marti, 2011). Music during worship is commonly used to enable the large group of worshippers to unite as one voice and inspire each other during worship (Wren, 2000). Singing is an elevated kind of speech since it expresses the worshippers’ emotions of joy and thanksgiving in a manner that ordinary speech cannot express such feelings (Anderson, 2003). Music during the worship is used to attract new worshippers to join the church and strengthen the beliefs so that worshippers will always speak good of the Church while interacting with members in the society (Doukhan, 2009). Conclusion Music is a powerful tool of worship since it influences the mental and spiritual aspects of the worshippers (Hotz & Mathews, 2006). The primary effect of music is to provides the worshippers an opportunity for participation thus improving their remembering and reinforcing the unity and gospel truth. Music during worship affects the worshippers’ emotions and feelings thus strengthening their spiritual and mental capacities (Kilde, 2008). Nearly all Churches, regardless of the denomination have incorporated either Gospel or contemporary music in their services. Although traditional churches denominations like the Catholic have not appreciated the effect of music during worship, modern denominations like the Baptism appreciate music as essential in worship. References: Anderson, E.B. (2003). Worship and Christian identity: practicing ourselves. Collegeville: Liturgical Press. Christian, E. (2003). Joyful Noise. London: Review and Herald Publication. Doukhan, L. (2009). In tune with God. Hagerstown: Autumn House Publication. Foley, E & Bangert, M. (2000). Worship music: a concise dictionary. Collegeville: Liturgical Press. Hauerwas, S & Wells, S. (2011). The Blackwell companion to Christian ethics. Oxford: Wiley- Blackwell. Hotz, K.G & Mathews, M.T. (2006). Shaping the Christian life: worship and the religious affections. Louisville: Westminster. Kilde, J.H. (2008). Sacred power, scared space: an introduction to Christian architecture. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Kurtz, D. (2008). God’s word, the final word on worship and music: a biblical study. New York: Xulon Press. Leonard, B. (1990). Becoming Christian: dimensions of spiritual formation. Louisville: Westminster. Macquarrie, J. (2003). Principles of Christian theology. London: SCM. Marti, G. (2011). Worship across the racial divide: religious music and the multiracial congregation. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Segler, F.M and Bradley, C.R. (2006). Christian worship: its theology and practice. Nashville: B & H publication group. Sirchio, B.J. (2012). The 6 marks of progressive Christian worship music. London: AuthorHouse. Sloboda, J. (2004). Exploring the musical mind: cognition, emotion, ability and function. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Smith, T. (2004). “Let the church sing!”: music and worship in a black Mississippi community. Rochester: University of Rochester Press. Stringer, M.D. (2005). A sociological history of Christian worship. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. White, J.F. (2010). Introduction to Christian worship. London: Abingdon Press. White, S.J. (2006). Foundations of Christian worship. Louisville: Westminster Press. Wren, B. (2000). Praying twice: the music and words of congregational song. Louisville: Westminster. Read More