Music and Relationship (religion)

Wow, I can write a book about how music plays a significant part in religion. Well I call it a relationship. I am a believer of God and His only son Jesus Christ. I do not consider that to be a religion, but a relationship with my Father. As I stated in my previous blogs, gospel music is my favorite. Gospel/Contemporary Christian music uplifts my spirit and soul, along with reading the Holy Bible. In Philippians 4:8 states "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." When I listen to Christian music, it's not complicated for me to think upon such things that are pleasing to my Father.

Growing up in a Baptist church, gospel music plays a huge role in the church. When I was a young child, my home church had an adult, senior, and children's choir. If I can remember correctly, the deacons would get up at the beginning of service and have devotion. They would sing a song, pray, sing, pray, read a scripture, pray, sing. (Yes, I am serious.) Tradition was a must back then. After Pastor C.C. Stewart retired, a younger preacher named Rev. Victor L. Walker became pastor. When he became pastor, things changed. The older musicians left and were replaced with my mentor, Mrs. Sullivan. Before she came, the choirs and congregation would sing mostly old Hymns and traditional gospel songs. But when she became minister of music, she taught more contemporary songs. We did many songs by Israel and New Breed and Kirk Franklin. We did more songs that had clapping and dancing involved. That's when the appreciation of Christian music increased inside of me.

As the years went by I became more involved in playing the piano for churches and I started to notice the aesthetics of gospel music. The B3 Hammond Organ is very popular in the African American church. When a very gifted musician plays the organ, along with the bass, drums, and a keyboard, that person can set the mood for praise and worship service. It's something about hearing the organ sing an Ab with a lot of vibrato when the choir is singing or the preacher is preaching.

I am currently the minister of music at Beulah Christian Fellowship and I must say that I love it. Listening to new gospel and contemporary music to teach the choir and learning new chords and scales for the organ is a great experience. And while I am doing all of these things, I pray that it pleases my Father. One thing that aggravates me is when musicians play for money and fame in the church. I believe that music should glorify the Father at all times.