by Tommy Shapard, Minister of Music and Worship
In today’s quickly changing climate of what it means to be a faith community, people like me are always asking questions about the future shape of music-making in congregations; what does music-making in the church, by the church, and in the local community look like and how might we be newly informed by the actions and words of Jesus?
From my vantage point, the use of choirs, rock bands, hybrid folk groups, and church orchestras will continue into the near future, playing a role in Christian worship services. The typical use of these kinds of ensembles, however, may not be as widespread. In many cases, they might look vastly different within a decade or two as the global church becomes more and more influential.
This is part of the bigger story of the institutional church in the United States. It is a story of a kind of congregation that is either evolving, at best, in creative and organic ways; or, at worst, closing its doors. This should not be news to anyone following trends over the past 10 to 15 years.
Over the next several months, my goal is to help clarify the broad and diverse soundscape of music within the changing Church, both locally and globally. I want to identify what kinds of movements and strategies are arising from likeminded Baptists and from our ecumenical sisters and brothers who have similar, yet evolving, worship practices, demographics, and missional reach. We have to find ways that align our music-making with sustainable practices.
These practices are ones that:
1) can bring about fresh engagement and beauty around Word, Table, and Water
2) create expressions that are meaningful and inviting of worship from all age groups
3) engage full human formation in mind, body, and spirit
4) provide diverse and inclusive opportunities for participation
5) connect music-making with the creation of justice and joy in our local community.
In my next article, I want to look at music-making in our church and the extraordinary people that make it happen. I’ll sketch out a few ways our church is already beginning to expand our arc into the future so we can continue our heritage of beautiful music-making that glorifies God, while also finding new ways to be more nimble, organic, faithful, and inclusive as we seek to make this world a better place.
