As I enter a new season of writing I've become more and more aware of whose voice I'm writing for. It's such an honor to be chosen to write for God's people. When we write we are in a position to put the words into our congregation's mouth that they will sing back to God. We are guiding their voice in worship at that moment. What an awe inspiring responsibility.
Composing and arranging for the church is different then doing so for yourself. There are melodic ranges to consider and just as importantly the vocabulary of your church. Singing in the right key and using the language that your pastor uses can be a very powerful way to worship.
This is not to say that we shouldn't continually make an effort to stretch the boundaries of our congregation, but when we do so we need to be aware of who's voice we're writing for. If growing in our understanding, love and worship of our God should be an on-going development, then the songs we write and sing should also be in a constant position of growth.
Stretching the boundaries doesn't have to mean more difficult, it can sometimes just be a new descriptive adjective, or a song written from a different mode or scale, or just using different instruments to support the melody. Being in His image means that if it tickles our ear, it tickles His; if it inspires us to worship, then it please Him; and if it please Him, then we've honored Him.
So as I enter this new season it's my prayer that the notes and words of grace that flow from my pen, will flow through my congregation's voice and back to my Creator's ears... that we as a church will continue to grow in our worship journey, and that through that growth our voices will please Him.
Pray on,
Eddy
No comments:
Post a Comment