'Facing a task unfinished' is one of those classic old hymns that I grew up with. But it's also one of those old hymns I found thoroughly boring to sing as it comes with music that far too easily converts into a dirge. And so, because of the distractingly dull…
A few years ago some of us might have been hesitant of making too much of Remembrance Sunday. We’re perhaps wary of appearing overly nationalistic, and sceptical of too much formal ceremony. But increasingly, I think, we’re coming to see that it gives us numerous things that are positively, beneficially…
There are a thousand good and bad ways to use music in a church service. Here are just five hopefully good ideas which combine both Biblical truth with practical advice… 1. Use music to help the congregation engage both mind and heart with God There is no stronger reason to…
‘Behold our God’ is a song written by the guys at Sovereign Grace Music, and was released on the album ‘Risen’ last year. A YouTube link, the lyrics and the sheet music (free) can all be found here: http://sovereigngracemusic.org/Songs/Behold_Our_God_(Who_has_held_the_oceans)/1 I can think of at least 3 reasons why our…
Paul writes: And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name…
Reflections on a life at Music College “Work harder, be better, don’t cut corners, practice more, practice till it’s perfect and then practice again.” Ring any bells from childhood piano lessons? These common motivational nuggets were multiplied as I entered into my 1st Year BMus degree studying the Trumpet…
One answer is to think that singing has always been how God’s people have responded to him and his saving acts. After being freed from Egypt, God's people sang (Ex 15). When remembering what God was like and all he'd done, Moses sang to Israel (Deut 32). Psalms 105 and…
The mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus one day with a special request. She thought she knew what kind of leader Jesus was going to be and thought her sons should occupy prominent positions of authority alongside him (preferably one on the right and one on the left). As…
In the last post I gave some thoughts on matching song themes with preaching, the liturgy of a service and he liturgy of the church’s calendar. Let me move on and give you (more briefly) some further considerations when choosing songs for Sunday worship. 2. Old and…
You know the feeling. You’re staring at a blank computer screen. The cursor flashes, begging for content... and Sunday is coming. For whatever reason it falls to you as the pastor / music director / song leader / cleaner / only one who has remembered.... to chose what to…
Copyright. That word produces any number of reactions, all dressed up as a yawn. One yawn comes from the conscientious administrator who has to block out a day or two to fill out the returns booklet. Another yawn comes from the person who knows nothing about it and doesn’t really…
What is Music Ministry all about? Welcome to the new Music Ministry website... Music Ministry is an organisation that seeks to train, equip and serve the local church in the UK, encouraging churches in their ministry of the Word of Christ through singing. Let the word of Christ dwell in…