In Presbyterian, Anglican, Catholic, and Reformed churches you don’t expect to hear the same music and sing from the same ecumenical hymnal. Also within the Reformed Churches different songbooks are used, reflecting e.g. the different history and identity of the federations. Focusing on the Canadian Reformed Churches (CanRC), there are …
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Liturgy
Let’s shake it up in church… …because the same things every Sunday become a boring routine. Sometimes we hear this sentiment, with some ministers responding by being creative, yet without rocking the boat. People like change, and often we hear comments when some things go differently. Yes, let’s shake it up, …
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Outreach through Church Music and Liturgy
1. A controversy in a Catholic church in Michigan created a stir earlier this month. The approach of Rev. Edwin C. Dwyer (photo) to bring back the youth in church, was met with joy and hope by younger members of the congregation, but some of the elderly members complained. Stressing …
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No more organists – a self-fulfilling prophesy
A prophesy not found in Scripture, but practiced in churches! The self-fulfilling prophesy is not in Scripture, yet churches make use of it frequently. I am thinking about church music and church musicians. How often do you hear the complaint/concern/thought: “There are no new organists to accompany in church?” Cases …
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What type is your church…?
What kind of church? In December I received promotional email of a sheet music, classifying music by denomination, based of the type of worship service (with plenty of choice in each category). • Liturgical: e.g. Lutheran, Anglican, Catholic, Russian Orthodox • Evangelical: e.g. Baptist, Pentecostal, Community churches • More liberal: …
Read MoreUnderstanding Liturgy
Sometimes I hear the complaints of monotonous elements of the worship service, and a desire to shake it up and change. But often people don’t have much of an idea about the background of what happens in church. If adults don’t know, they can’t explain it to the youth either, …
Read MoreWe want more…!
The Canadian Reformed churches want to sing more hymns. Regional Synod West has confirmed that in their meeting November 5 2018. Local churches, ministers, and church musicians have confirmed this desire. The limitation of the songs that can be sung in church, is the primary issue. Regional Synod West states …
Read MoreMentoring
“A mentor important in mastery. Literally, physically observe and absorb their energy and spirit. You are not just watching them, you are experiencing them inside yourself. It is a very powerful way of learning. It’s an emotional relationship with someone you respect and admire.” (Robert Greene, author of Mastery) When …
Read MoreSinging more Hymns than Psalms?
Singing Hymns and Psalms When churches add more hymns to their ‘repertoire’, often the assurance is given that more hymns will not replace the Psalms. Yet, practically this does not work out. Going to church as a teenager, I remember singing after the Lord’s Supper, in response and echoing the …
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