"This one thing..." from General John Larsson (R)
MORE MUSC NEEDED!The one thing I want to say about music in The Salvation Army, is that the Army needs more of it! Not less. That simple truth was brought home to me some years ago through the inspired insight of a young Salvationist.
I was with a group of teenagers and we were discussing the Army’s future. I ventured the suggestion that perhaps when church historians studied the first hundred or so years of the Army’s history, they would conclude that music had been given a disproportionate prominence in its activities. Should there be less emphasis on music in the Army? That was the question.
‘Less music?’ asked this young man as if he could not believe his ears. ‘But why on earth would we want to cut back on the greatest way of communicating that we have? Music is the thing that everyone has in common!
‘What do people do when they wake up in the morning?’ he continued. ‘They reach out and switch on music. They listen to music over breakfast. They travel to work with music. Many listen to piped music all day as they work.
‘And then in the evening they return home to the sound of music, and as often as not spend the rest of the day with music – when watching TV or listening to recorded music, or when going out with friends.
‘God has given the Army an enormous advantage by entrusting it with the gift of music. It has a ready-made road into everyone’s heart and mind. It has been given a universal language.
‘You’re not suggesting,’ he added reproachfully, ‘that we should give up all of that, are you?’
The words tumbled out with passion and eloquence – and with irresistible logic. It was one of those moments of insight when the obvious suddenly becomes startlingly clear.
And it is obvious, isn’t it? If music is one of God’s gifts to the Army, we don’t want less of it – we want more!
What we need is music that will speak to every heart. Music that will speak to the traditionalist and appeal to the non-traditionalist. Music that will inspire the believer and capture the non-believer. Music with which the young can identify, and music that will entrance the older generation. High-brow music, popular music, classical music, contemporary music, music for voice and music for brass, music for the keyboard and for the guitar, and music for the drum and timbrel! No heart must be left out of reach!
Does that mean that every corps will end up as a music society? Does it mean that those who are not musically gifted are to be relegated to the outer edges of the corps? No – and three times no! It must never be so.
God gives different gifts to different people – and all gifts are equally valid and equally important. The corps programme must provide not only for the expression of musical gifts, but for the expression of all God-given talents. The training and opportunities for service and fellowship provided for the evangelists, pastors, carers, teachers, youth workers and every other giftedness in the corps must be at least as good as those provided for the musicians. It is when all parts of the body flourish that the Body of Christ is truly healthy – and we see corps life as God means it to be.
So, let there be more music! Let there be performed music - music to which others listen. One has only to look around the contemporary music scene to see the impact that famous singers and their bands make on millions of listeners. And this is powerfully mirrored on the contemporary Christian music scene.
But especially let there be more participative music – music in which everyone takes part. Particularly, let there be more congregational singing in our meetings. And let it be good congregational singing, the kind of singing in which everyone present can heartily join!
Thank God that the end of the worship war is in sight! More and more the traditionalists and the contemporaries are recognising that they both have been wrong when they have said that it must be either songs from the song book or songs sung off the wall! More and more both groups are saying: ‘Every style has something to offer in evangelism and worship, so let’s enjoy each other’s music!’ In the world of Christian congregational singing the pendulum is most definitely swinging back to the centre. That is something for which to praise the Lord!
And let there be more joy in our music! Of course there is a place for plaintive music that tugs at the heartstrings. But the authentic note of Salvation Army worship is joy! Soul-saving music does not have to be dirge-like. Souls can be won with the note of praise!
During my term as General we participated in a congress in a country whose beautiful national music is characterised by a certain sweet sadness. This is reflected in the church music of that land. In the music festival I was asked to play the piano. As is sometimes my custom, I took a chorus and improvised on it, letting the music flow as inspired in that moment. It was a cheerful chorus, it was a happy occasion, and I found I had freedom – so as the inspiration flowed the arpeggios rippled, the chords cascaded and the rhythms pounded. The final notes were greeted with a mighty ovation.
As I was saying my goodbyes after the meeting, a lady said how much she had appreciated my playing, but then, after a moment’s hesitation, added: ‘Are you really allowed to play that kind of music in an Army hall? It seemed, well… like jazz! I thought that music in God’s house was meant to be solemn.’ She seemed genuinely relieved when I assured her that all music belongs to God!
She didn’t know, but I was in fact echoing none other than that great prophet, William Booth. When he was once asked whether he thought secular music belong to the devil, he answered: ‘If it did I would plunder him for it, for he has no right to a single note of the scale. Every note and every melody and every harmony is divine and belongs to us. So consecrate your voice and your instruments, bring out your cornets and harps, and organs and flutes, and violins and pianos and drums, and everything else that can make melody. Offer them to God, and use to them to make all the hearts about you joyful before the Lord.’
Amen to that! So let there be joy in our music. And let’s have more of it!
John Larsson
General (Ret.)
September 2006
