Effect of Music During Worship Service - Term Paper Example

? The effect of music during worship Music has made a significant contribution to worship service; in fact, music is associated with church history. However, there is a form of elusion and experiential entity associated with music, thereby creating difficulties in putting words to express the possession of power by music over the effects on worship and people. On the other hand, music has proofed to be a significant part of worshiping; hence, this research study will seek the appropriate information to describe the effect. Nevertheless, some of the ideas covered in the research study include an explanation of the way music evokes mystery of the divined through worship services. Other ideas covered in this research study related to the way music assist in fostering a community in the congregation during a worship service. Therefore, the research paper has depicted music as an organic way of interrelating the world and the whole creation of God in a way that facilitates processing of emotions and development of new emotions in order to live a sensible life. The research paper will also cover the role of music in worship, whereby there will be a discussion of the multifaceted way of defining this role. There is numerous literatures discussion the fundamental role of music in worshiping, some of which include the way music interlinks the world and the divine through the worship service. In this case, the research paper will revolve around the effects of music on the worship. The effect of music during worship Introduction Music in worship dates back to the church history. Music is a significant part of worship in evangelical churches (Doukhan, 2009). Different music genres speak to Christians in different ways during worship. Music during worship allows the Christians more freedom of expression of their faith in God through shaking of the body or lifting of hands. Music will influence the worshipers’ emotions by strengthening the emotions thus enabling them to exalt God. According to theology, music during worship will appeal to the intuitive nature since it transcends their understanding (Sirchio, 2012). Music leads to spiritual presence of God through glorification and expression of joy and happiness (Anderson, 2003). Consequently, the congregation expresses their unity through singing together a repeated common story thus facilitating the formation of religious identity. Gospel music components such as the pitch, rhythm and lyrics are humanly organised thus they strongly affect the worshippers emotions through influencing the chemical processes of the brain thus leading to reflections, joy, sadness and physical expression of the gospel truth through body movements (Wren, 2000). In addition, emotions are reflected in the patterns of belief and actions like bodily movements unlike passive listening to professional choirs (Christian, 2003). The research paper will enable us understand the reasons behind the growth of use of music during worship especially in evangelical churches. The research will be instrumental in composition of worship music that strengthens the emotions of the worshippers and glorifies the gospel. Hypothesis statement Music executed properly will bring the glory of God that will cause every believer to participate in the worship service. Research questions In order to understand the effect of music during worship, the research paper will answer the following questions. I. How often is music used during worship? II. Does music during worship strengthen the emotions and minds of the worshippers? III. Does music during worship allow more freedom of expression through the lifting of hands and other body movements? IV. Can music during worship unify Christians and exalt God? Literature review In 1500, Roman Catholic Church worship was practically a formal affair with professional choirs leading the music. However, the prevailing attitude among the congregations was that God needed the best from every worshiper instead of worshippers listening attentively to professional choirs (Foley & Bangert, 2000). God’s plan for the welfare of Christians includes both emotional growth, thus Christians should participate in symbolic liturgy since it positively related to the formation of emotional experiences (White, 2006). All evangelical churches such as Baptism Church and Pentecostal churches incorporate music during worship in all sessions. Non-denominational churches prefer a mixture of Negro spirituals, traditional hymns and gospel music during worship (White, 2006). The Catholic Church prefers creeds during prayers. The Methodist has a special professional choir tasked with composing and leading the congregation in praising God through music. Music is an important aspect of Christian worship since it is played frequently during worship (White, 2006). For instance, most of the churches start the worship service with a song, accompanied by playing of musical instruments such as guitars and also end the service with similar songs. The first song intends to welcome the congregations to the worship service and while the others songs glorify God and signify the unity of the Church in serving God (White, 2006). Music during worship will affect and strengthen the emotions of the worshippers. Music is essential in stirring strong emotions towards God and strengthening the religious beliefs. In addition, different genres of music make the worshippers reflective, joyful and emotionally peaceful thus paving a way for the sermon. According to Christians, God has used music to spread the unchanging gospel from generation to another such as the Great Awakening of 18th century to the current contemporary gospel music (Sloboda, 2004). Music facilitates meditation process thus enables the Christians to reflect on specific gospel truths in their minds thus enabling the gospel to sink in their hearts and souls. For instance, Bible versus such as Psalms 147: 1 requires the Christians to praise their Lord since it is pleasant and good to sing praises to God (Smith, 2004). Music provides Christians with an opportunity to remember and reinforce the gospel truth and unity. During worship, music will strengthen the spiritual and mental capacity of the worshippers. Music during worship is an expression of deep religious emotions. For instance, Plasms 28: 7 is clear that worshippers should sing and rejoice during worship since God is their strength and shield. To accomplish this purpose of music in worship, many evangelical churches use hymnals or songs that are popular among the Christian fraternity. For instance, Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church established a special committee in 1985 that was tasked with composing the hymnals that would be used during worship (Hotz & Mathews, 2006). Many Christian churches are of the view that music during worship is a symbol of glorification of God. Harmonies, lyrics and melodies are geared at praising God for the protection (Kurtz, 2008). Christians believe that God’s revelation can either be natural through human experiences such or emotional through worshipping and praising God (White, 2010). Christians believe that music is a sign of adoration since something emotional and dynamic usually occur in their hearts and souls have glorifying God through music (Hauerwas & Wells, 2011). Music during worship will also attract more congregations through expressing and reaffirming their unity in gospel (Segler and Bradley, 2006). Historically, Christians have expressed their faith and unity in God through reciting creeds such as Apotles’ Creed. Reciting such creeds is accompanied by singing thus making a physical statement that all worshippers are committed to one worthy cause and redemption from sins by their God (Kilde, 2008). The Holy Spirit of God calls people of all walks of life, tribes and communities to gather and praise God through music. Music allows the Christians to connect with their past while anticipating their future life (Leonard, 1990). Modern technologies such as digital music have enabled the worshippers to have more flexibility in playing music from previous centuries. For instance, Lutheran musical groups enable the worshippers to enjoy a variety of music languages since the primary theme is faith in God (Macquarrie, 2003). Singing of words adds value to worship through enhancing meditation and imagination of the worshippers. Music evokes energy and intense feelings, thus why music is played as an important part of the worship sessions in evangelical churches. Theologians like Martin Luther spoke about the liturgical purpose of music by asserting that music is a powerful tool that is used by God to illuminate the minds of the worshippers see the greatness and holiness of God. Martin Luther noted that music is a gift from God as it is a sign of continuity of the unchanging gospel and church. Just like the sacraments that offers a bridge between the seen world and divinity of the unseen world, music profoundly connects Christians with the Holy Spirit through influencing emotions. 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 a 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 the 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). The research findings point out 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. Appendix 4 Music & Worship Service Survey The following is a survey regarding the effects of music on church worship service. Please answer the questions clearly and honestly. Your identity will be kept secret and research findings will no be used for any other purposes. Your feedback is very much appreciated. 1) Age: ?18-25 ?26-35 ?36-45 ?46-60 ?61+ 2) Gender: ?Male ?Female 3) Which best describes the area where you reside/attend church? ?Urban ?Rural 4) What is your Christian faith? ?Baptist ?Church of God in Christ ?Pentecostal ?Presbyterian ?Methodist ?Catholic ?Non-denominational ?Other______________________ 5) How often do you attend church? ?A few times a week ?Once a week ?Once a month ?Other 6) What type of music do you prefer during worship service? ?Traditional hymns ?Negro spirituals ?Gospel ?Contemporary/Inspirational 7) Are music instruments incorporated in your worship services? ?Every service ?Nearly every service ?Rarely incorporated ?Music is not a part of worship service 8) How do you think the music (songs and instruments) impact the worship service? ?Worship service is nothing without the music. ?Worship service is fine with or without the music. ?Worship service does not need music. 9) Music during worship services specifically impacts the following: (check all that apply) ?Enhances my mind & affects my emotions ?Enables me to glorify and exalt God ?Takes hold of my mind and transcends me beyond the physical realm ?Takes hold of my body and strengthens me physically and spiritually 10) Music during worship service allows for more freedom of expression by the lifting hands, through dancing, joyful tears, etc. ?I strongly agree. ?I somewhat agree. ?I agree. ?I neither agree nor disagree. ?I disagree. ?I strongly disagree. 11. In your own words: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE PURPOSE OF MUSIC DURING WORSHIP SERVICE? Please rate the following types of music (1 is BEST and 5 is LEAST PREFERRED). 1 2 3 4 5 Traditional hymns ? ? ? ? ? (“The Old Rugged Cross”) Negro spirituals ? ? ? ? ? (“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”) Gospel ? ? ? ? ? (“Never Would’ve Made It”) Contemporary/Inspirational ? ? ? ? ? (“I Smile”) Read More