I don’t know that it makes a difference but I like to keep my major message series during the first part and the last part of the year.
The summer months just don’t seem to be ripe for continuity of thought.
So, either I deliver random messages on a whole host of biblical topics OR I string together a loosely connected series.
What does this have to do with you who are reading today?
I’m considering a summer message series that seeks to apply the biblical truths in songs we sing.
No, I will not be expounding the un-doctrinal nature of certain songs and why we shouldn’t be singing them.
I would be considering how our life experience and spiritual journey is affected by and intersects with our current (and past) song selection.
Again, what does this have to do with you who are reading today?
I’m glad you asked - I have a few questions for you . . .
1. Does it all sound interesting, something worth the time and effort?
2. Is there relevance to the average person in the pew?
3. What are the top three songs (more if you want) that should be considered?
11 Responses to “Summer Message Series”
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May 14th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I love singing and I don’t pay enough attention to the words. A meditative mix of song, story, more song, scripture, reflexion, more praise would be meaningful.
My Jesus I love thee.
It is well with my soul.
Oh thou fount of every blessing.
There’s another old one in my heart but I can’t get it into my head right now. A prayer song that I often sing when praise rises in my heart. But for the life of me, I can’t put my finger on it right now.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
we had a sunday morning class on songs—’spirituals’… there was historical context, sentiment, and application etc… we did the really old songs, and some contemporary (sometimes as a comparative)… you should email josh stump (or maybe he’ll respond here)–he was one of the teachers and there was a book we referenced.
while thinking of josh—if you were to do a contemporary piece with an old one (and have some narrative for both) josh wrote a beautiful song called “fallen” (hope i got that right) it has a line and sound reminiscent of “flee as a bird”—– or in context of how music and worship affect us–and ways christians seek to express themselves in ways others can participate in, his “everyday prayer”.
i think of david and the psalms and reading them in the context of events and dwelling on what they mean to us now (both in and out of historical context).. those are endlessly interesting…
May 14th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Yes and yes. I would love to be able to sit in on this. Singing is a big-g-g-g part of the worship for me.
Amazing Grace
Just as I Am
Holy Ground
May 14th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
1. I think it sounds very interesting and those who respond should be able to access this sermon series online.
2. There is relevance for everyone and it is a topic that would appeal to people who attend regularly as well as visitors. I like the format Brady suggested.
3.Song selection…hmmm, this one is hard. I’ll just say that two that are really working for me now are God With Us and Never Let Go and one that still reaches me deeply each and every time is Holy Holy Holy.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
1. Yes
2. Yes - music pervades our life. A song can take us back to a place in time, a feeling, or even a person.
3.
No Compromise - Keith Green
Valley Song - Jars of Clay
What if I Fall - DC Talk
I know your series won’t be like the one I had at another church where the Preacher expounded on the false doctrine of the song, “Just A Little Talk With Jesus.”
The funny thing was one of our song leaders was absent that day due to serving in the National Guard. When he came back for the next Sunday, guess what song he chose for the first song? Yep - “Just A Little Talk.” The other funny thing was the church belted out that song as the Preacher pegged the “Scowl Meter.”
May 15th, 2008 at 6:41 am
I would have to think too much to answer your questions and right now I just don’t have the mental energy to try and think of three songs.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Let me add a thought to your point about “how our life experience and spiritual journey is affected by and intersects with our current (and past) song selection.”
That is: What the songs we sing and that are written today say about us as a culture, i.e., our view of God, ourselves & worship in today’s culture.
What do the songs of today (or any period) express about how we see God & ourselves? How does that differ from those of another period & what was stressed then?
For example, the praise songs that have been written & that we sing so much today have arisen in the past 10-15 years or so. They express something very different than the “such a worm as I” type of songs from a different era.
Why is that? What do the songs contemporary of a certain time period say about how Christians saw themselves in relation to God & the world? e.g., songs of the Fanny J. Crosby era expressed perspectives very different than 1930’s era songs, which in turn are completely different from the praise songs of today?
Well, at least that would be interesting to me….
May 15th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Thanks for all the good comments - i’m going to work something up based on your input. Keep a look out for your royalty checks. All of you except Greg of course who was no help.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:25 am
would the royalty check include a Starbucks card?
May 17th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
At a conference today, the leader spoke about how our selection of music speaks to who we are a body. Do we mostly sing songs that encourage personal relationship with God? Do we sing in a way that promotes the community of believers? The leader hypothesized that we sing very little that would connect us as a church with the greater world at large. At least I think that’s what he said. We’ll be delving into this later this year, partly by tracking our worship styles and messages. It should be an interesting journey.
I’m also too tired to think of songs at the moment - maybe I’ll think of some during church tomorrow.
May 18th, 2008 at 5:32 am
High of 71 today. Mmmm….