Choosing Songs for Worship
1975, I was supposed to do the DMA from SWBTS, but I was called to the ministry, I had the MM already, I chose to do the M Div. at GGBTS. Then took theology after. Now I believe all (music) ministers need pastoral and theology training and discipleship. The good soulful feeling in the sound of music changes the emotions in the listener’s heart, which can last a long time (繞樑三日) but the lyrics in the songs washes brains and thus changes lives. Without thorough understanding of theology, the music/worship director may choose songs that are emotionally beautiful, which changes feelings, but yet incorrect/imbalance theologically in the lyrics, which will misguide the listeners into an unhealthy spiritual life. If a “music minister” did not have proper theological understanding, he/she must consult and get permission from the pastor on the theology of the lyrics. (and even in the musical style)
Music chosen for the theologically correct/balanced lyrics should reflect the lyrics instead of just offering purely emotional trips(sweet nothings, or an addictive “high” through an injection in the arm.) leading the listener to stray from the meaning of the lyrics. (This is called integrity between music and lyrics) Since music lyrics changes lives, behavior and spiritual mindset of the listener, the musicians in church need a pastoral calling and training.
Among frequently sung worship songs, there are not enough songs that are about the attributes of God such as righteousness, justice, or sins of man and believers, or confessions and prayers. This means there is an imbalance in the spiritual diet in the most powerful tools of influence in church life. This imbalance must be addressed by the pastors. It is concluded by a Southern Baptist research study that the theological input or understanding of Christians among the Baptist Churches was by far influenced by hymns and spiritual songs than that from the pulpit. So, church singers, watch out for the theological correctness/balance in the lyrics of the songs you choose in leading worship. God is watching and you are responsible.