The Divisiveness of Musical Style

Why is the issue of music style so divisive?  I believe that there are six reasons that answer this question.

First, we all have preferences, which is not the problem. The problem is that we all too often think of our own preferences first.  Regarding this, Barry Liesch writes: “This reveals several truths about us: (1) we are entertainment oriented; (2) we are not mature; (3) we are not willing to die to self; (4) we don’t ask the primary questions: Is the mission of the church being well served by this music?  Does it advance the Kingdom?”  Liesch does not mince words and unfortunately they are all too true.

Second, we listen to sermons, but we perform hymns and choruses.  Since we are personally involved in the performance of music, through movement (hands raised or clapping, moving feet, eyes closed, etc.) and through self-identity with the subject of the song—we tend to be much  more sensitive about style.  In fact, we want the music during worship to suit our temperament, our self-image.

Third, music is a language.  We understand some music languages better than others.  Through repeated exposures, we learn the nuances of certain styles and in turn experience a kind of exquisite pleasure when that style is performed.  We want those pleasures; they enhance our worship experience! Again, Liesch points out: “When we are young, our lack of perspective frequently makes us intolerant of anything not contemporary.  As we become older, we grow less open to acquiring new musical languages.”

Fourth, music triggers associations.  Music has the ability to heighten our emotions, to stir memories, and to awaken guilty conscience. “A saxophone may evoke a dance floor or New Age music.  Rap music may suggest mind-numbing ghetto blaster.  A hymn may trigger a longing for a departed loved one, or—boredom!”

Fifth, we are conditioned to have our favorite music whenever we want it.  At home or in our car, we tune in to our favorite musician or album and begin to tap our feet as we listen to “our kind of music.”  But the attitude that says we should be able to have our kind of music whenever we want can be (and almost always is) a disastrous one when applied to the church.  In the church we have both the young and the old, and people with different cultural backgrounds—churches are meant to be intergenerational and inclusive. 

Sixth, and more deeply, music carries forward traditions.  To tamper with these traditions is to stir up values close to the heart. 

The Salvation Army Songbook carries this quote of Booth’s:  “Sing so as to make the world hear.  The highest value of our singing after all has not been the mere gladness we have felt because of our salvation, but the joy of pouring out the praises of God to those who have not known Him, or of rousing them by our singing to new thoughts and a new life. And sing till your whole soul is lifted up to God, and then sing till you lift the eyes of those who know not God to him who is the fountain of all our joy.”