Music with no words

[krispar]

I just posted this in the creative arts forum, but I don't know how often people check that out so I thought I would post here too. I was wondering if I could get some thoughts.
I believe that instrumental solos, piano solos, small ensembles, are a great way to worship God. I also believe that the music being played doesn't HAVE to be a hymn or "worship song". As long as it is beautiful in it's own right, won't God accept it?
I'm not saying anyone should play a contest solo or audition piece (in my other post my example was Mozart's clarinet Concerto. That is one looong piece, I might add). If the music came from the heart, either by it's writer or it's performer, and if when performed the intentions are to glorify God for the wonderful gift of music he gave us, then what is the problem? Sometimes, words can't express what you need to say to God, and sometimes God doesn't require words. Music is my way of talking to God when words just can't do it.
My pastor and I disagree on this issue. So I was just wondering--any thoughts?

 

[BrBob]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Music evokes moods, it tells stories, it can be rebellious and it can be worshipful.... all without words! Look at the 1812 overture. It just screams military might!

Play the chords and/or melody line to "The Heart of Worship" sometime. That song, the way it is put together just begs to be used in worship!

Keep at it. Maybe your pastor will change his mind someday. Meanwhile, play it at home!


God Bless
Bob
Spearfish, SD

 

[tturt]

Oh, yes I know what you're saying. Your pastor probably wants everything to be very structured. If music is played without words, then - gosh, who knows what might happen?!

Have you heard John Tesh's music? There's some instrumentals during Red Rock? that are awesome! There's one - don't know the name of it - My God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above,

 

[yourinnervoice]

Krispar - Good Subject.
My personal opinion is that I agree with you.
There are times it will be me, the piano and God. Nobody around. Nobody else to hear.

And I will play and play and play and my thoughts are reflected in my fingers and my INTENTIONS and DESIRE is to GLORIFY GOD with each note and chord!

God will never deny that!

Part of the secular definition of Worship is to honor. If your total focus is to honor God thru your musical piece I can't see why God will not honor your Worship.

Has your Pastor explained why he doesn't agree with you?

 

[BrBob]

I'm with yourinnervoice in wondering if your pastor has explained why he objects. Is he not a musician? Sometimes we who create music have a deeper understanding of what is happening within it. I really can't understand why anyone would object. Especially when they look back at the history of classical music. So much of classical music was created for use in church. It was written to glorify God.

Bob
Spearfish, SD

 

[krispar]

I'm in a C.S. Lewis group that my pastor leads, and he made a simple comment on not choosing a church based on liking the music or not. He said it wasn't about the tune, but the words inside the tune. So I asked if he thought every worship song had to have words. He said yes, and they had to have words that were glorifying to God. So it kind of just went from there. He said he was fine with me playing duets with my mother in law (the pianist) (I play flute) that were related to worship songs that had "good" words. I guess he didn't totally disagree with other music, but he didn't sound too in favor of it. And no, he is not a musician, so he might not understand. Oh well. Thanks for your replies though!

 

[yourinnervoice]

Now your Pastor is getting me wound up! LOL! His comment about "not choosing a church based on liking the music..."
Well, I know many people in my church who have stayed because of the music, accepted God as their Saviour - And they have turned out to be leaders of the church!!! How can that be argued???

OK - Let me calm down! LOL!

 

[krispar]

LOL, I don't blame you. There are two things I get flustered on... someone messing with music or messing with my husband! He means well, I think the reason he doesn't like focusing on the music is because he wants more people to pay attention to the sermon, which, who can blame him? I love our pastor, but I needed to hear from other people that I wasn't totally crazy for disagreeing. lol

 

[tturt]

Will we ever learn - the entire service is about Him.

The service should be complete without a sermon.

 

[talitha]

Will we ever learn - the entire service is about Him.

The service should be complete without a sermon.

AMEN and AMEN!

I agree with you, krispar! Lately I have been frustrated with the fact that worship feels rushed sometimes, like every second has to be filled up with words - when does GOD get an opportunity to talk to His people? when do we bask in His glory? when do we come to a place where there are no words?

blessings
tal

 

[MoNiCa4316]

At its core, worship is us offering our hearts to God, praising Him, bowing down. It's His name that must be lifted up. We don't have to use words to do this. I agree with you; if you play music for God, it is worship music.
Also, worship music is a type of expression. I use it to express what I'm feeling to God. And sometimes, it is hard or impossible to find the right words, and then I wish I could play a musical instrument, haha..

Basically, it is not words that make the worship. My most sincere times of worship were when I wasn't focusing on the words at all, but using them to try to express something that's..almost too big for words. I felt like God was looking at my heart then, and the music was a manifestation of something deeper, more spiritual... It's like, by singing or playing music, we give it all a form, and this also glorifies God somehow......I don't know if this makes sense. lol. And at my worst times I focused on the words, trying to feel something, and not succeeding. that's how it's been in my experience at least....

God bless!


monica

 

[dancin_dude]

We all find moments in life where words are inadequate and simply get in the way of one's deep emotions and thoughts. Music can be an expressive language that takes you beyond mere words. It is my desire that the atmosphere this music creates takes you on a seamless journey; a journey not of words but of simple rest away from the hectic noise in our loud and busy lives.
May the language of this music take you "Beyond Words" - Duane Kirkwood

Listen to some sample tracks here

 

[MarylovesJesus]

AMEN and AMEN!

I agree with you, krispar! Lately I have been frustrated with the fact that worship feels rushed sometimes, like every second has to be filled up with words - when does GOD get an opportunity to talk to His people? when do we bask in His glory? when do we come to a place where there are no words?

blessings
tal

 

[Silver-winged Flyer]

Michael W Smith has brought out a whole CD that only has music tracks with no words. I haven't listened to it yet but I'm sure its incredible.

I have a DVD of one of his concerts and on it is a song (just music so I suppose it shouldn't be called a song) that is just incredible. One guy plays a few different wind instruments and I think that him using his talents is a way to glorify God.

God has given us talents and we should use them to glorify Him, He's obviously given you the ability to play an instrument to play it for His glory.

 

[Silver-winged Flyer]

Is there no time during the service that you just have music playing like before the service starts or while the offering is being taken or when everyone's leaving the church? That's when we have the organist playing and it sounds really nice.

 

[smv2sax]

Our church has a rule against playing any classical or non-"Christian" music for offertory. The other day, my flute teacher (who goes to my church) asked if I would be willing to play a sonata for an offertory with her daughter. I questioned her, reminding her that it was a classical piece. She replied saying, "Any piece of music played by a Christian that is played in order to glorify God is Christian music".

I think instrumental and classical music should be played in church if the performer is playing the piece to glorify Jesus Christ, their Lord and Savior.

 

[heron]

My pastor and I disagree on this issue. So I was just wondering--any thoughts?

And he's Presbyterian?! I am guessing that he had an epiphany of needing to improve on traditions, and that this is temporary super-spirituality that will pass. If you get in conversations on this again, show him verses about praising God with the timbrel, lyre, harp... it's in there.

This seems more of a tendency of non-denom and Charismatic churches, but maybe he is modeling some of his decisions after other churches. It seems strange that even an offertory can't handle instrumentals.

If he is in a mode where he's reading about bringing more spirituality into the worship service, then he will probably continue to learn and God will keep showing him new things. Just keep praying for him.

Our church has a rule against playing any classical or non-"Christian" music for offertory.

Yikes.

 

[PRAYZR]

I will play instrumentally during offering at times and have not been rebuked by the Pastor,so it's all good at our charismatic church !

really,to think that God will only accept lyrical music seems to 'box' Him,does it not ? I believe He created the stars to 'sing' according to the Bible...I bet they aren't using words !!!!!!!

 

[JonathanCasas]

There is nothing like a great guitar riff in the middle of a worship tune... or a break in the music of just pure silence. I believe that anything that can bring a person truly closer to God is a form of worship. You need to get your pastor to understand that somehow. I wonder how he would take it if he say a beautiful chello performance of Amazing Grace?

Food for thought,

-Pastor Jonathan Casas
RockinWorship.com

 

[PRAYZR]

There is nothing like a great guitar riff in the middle of a worship tune... or a break in the music of just pure silence. I believe that anything that can bring a person truly closer to God is a form of worship. You need to get your pastor to understand that somehow. I wonder how he would take it if he say a beautiful chello performance of Amazing Grace?

Food for thought,

-Pastor Jonathan Casas
RockinWorship.com

I couldn't agree more...the Bible speaks of a "sacrifice" of praise. I believe God sees acts (even 'small' ones) of obediance as acts of worship and praise.
every act of worship (including praising and worshipping Him when we do not feel like it)..brings you closer to God.