Here is a link to download the powerpoint file that we will be looking at this evening.

https://pilgrimfellowship.org/content/pe/Music%20Issue.zip

This is a zip file. Inside the zip file is a file called “Resolving the Music Issue.” It contains slides and audio files. When you double-click the audio files, the music samples should play. 

If you can’t get it to work, below is the text.

Resolving the Music Issue

Introduction

This is not a proposal.

The purpose of this presentation:

Guide our thoughts towards a resolution

Get your feedback on possible resolutions

We want your comments!

When we speak of instruments in this presentation, we are speaking of both listening to and using musical instruments.

The Need for Music Guidelines

We can all agree that there is God honoring music

There are different styles

There are different preferences

But the bottom line is that this music reflects and honors God

We can all agree that there is music that does not honor God

1. This could be a cappella or instrumental

2. This could be any number of types or genres

3. This could be earthly, sensual, or devilish

4. But the bottom line is that this music does not honor God

Our approach in this presentation

There are several possible routes to music guidelines

1. As a church, we want to find a way to draw a line between God honoring music and music that is not God honoring

2. Since we have human limitations any line we draw will seem somewhat arbitrary to some of us

3. As a leadership team, we concluded that drawing this line will take one of 4 possible routes.

For each possible route, we want to:

Explain each route

Give examples of possible specific standard items

Give examples of good music that this route would allow

Give examples of music that this route would exclude

Give an example of other conservative groups that have taken this route

Ask what are the pros and cons of this route

Allow only specific A-capella genres

Explanation:

This would be essentially the same as our current standard.

This excludes all instrumental music and also some types of Acapella music.

Possible Standard:

We choose to sing and listen to Acapella music only. This excludes the use of all musical instruments. Since we wish to cultivate songs, hymns, and spiritual songs, we reject acappella music that imitates the styles of the fallen world around us.

 

Allow only specific instruments

Explanation:

This route takes into account the view that musical instruments are musical tools.

This can include positive uses such as learning or writing music.

But tools can be dangerous as well.

This route would seek to allow instruments that are most commonly used for music instruction and composition.

This would not allow instrumental music in public worship services.

Possible Standard:

We choose to express our praise to God with our voices and with a limited range of musical instruments. Instruments that are permitted are: piano, organ, and harmonica. These instruments are to be used as tools and their use is not to become an end in itself. In our public worship services we worship only with our voices.

 

Allow only specific genres

Explanation:

This route views music as best defined by its type or genre (style).

These genres are described as God honoring by their musical or lyrical attributes not by whether they are a cappella or instrumental.

This would not allow instrumental music in public worship services.

Possible Standard:

We choose to worship God in music with voices and instruments. In our public worship services we choose to worship only with our voices. We believe the qualities of our music should reflect and lift up the nature and person of God. We reject types of music that appeal to the fallen man and fleshly nature as being opposed to the nature and attributes of God. Only classical, traditional sacred, and choral genres are allowed. All other music including country, CCM, New Age, Rap, Rock, and Southern Gospel are excluded.

Allow any music, but uphold a standard for good music

Explanation:

This approach tries to make an allowance for everyone’s preferences and yet at the same time hold up a standard for godly music.

With this approach, recommendations are given about what constitutes good music, but no specific music styles or instruments are excluded.

This would not allow instrumental music in public worship services.

Allow any music, but uphold a standard for good music

Standard:

We choose to worship God in music with voices and instruments. In our public worship services we choose to worship only with our voices. We believe the qualities of our music should reflect and lift up the nature and person of God.

 

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