Music can be a pretty controversial subject in general, but when it comes to christian churches it can be downright divisive.  There are “Traditional Churches” which primarily use hymns as the only form of music and the thought of a praise chorus, let alone a praise band makes people break out in hives.  Then there’s the “Blended Churches”  which kind of use both hymns and contemporary music.  Finally, there are “Contemporary Churches” which use primarily contemporary music though the hymn is not forgotten it is primarily used in contemporary arrangements.  These three kind of outline a continuum with a myriad of churches falling somwhere in between these examples.  I suppose the important thing is that every church be intentional about what they are doing.  There is nothing more prohibitive to church growth (spiritual and numeric) than doing something because you’ve “always done it that way.” 

It is crucial to understand that worship is not primarily about style, but about God.  Cultural context is really what ought to dictate musical style.  The truth is that every church has a cultural identity, and ministers to a similar culture that being said musical style in worship is reflective of that culture.  I attend a church that is intentionally contemporary and unashamed about it, but I don’t believe that all traditional churches are in sin for only using hymns, though the ones who don’t know why almost certainly are.  How’s that for controversial.

Music is an amazing medium of expression isn’t it?  I have long wanted to be able to play a musical instrument though until fairly recently (the last year and a half or so) I could not play anything.  Oh I can sing a little, but never really took any voice lessons.  I took four semesters of piano in college, but was not very dedicated and barely learned to plunk my way through “When the Saints Go Marching in.”  I suppose this lack of musical talent has been sort of curse to me because I love music, you just don’t know how frustrating it is to have that sort of passion for something that you have no ability to produce yourself.  You can teach an old dog new tricks thankfully.  

About a year and a half ago I picked up a guitar that my mom gave me some time ago (its been in the family for some time) and started plucking around.  I developed an interest in contemporary worship music and really desired to be able to play;  Maybe someday I could play at church.  Up until that point all of the method books I had messed with were really slow moving, and not really condusive to getting a guy started and playing quickly.  I did some looking online and came across a guy who had a entry level book that was designed to have you playing like 30 christian songs by the end of twelve weeks of self teaching.  I was stoked.  The cool thing is that it actually worked.  The sight is called Fretboard Fellowship and I am indebted to the instruction I received from “Praise Guitar Made Easy.”

Now I am even “playing” with our praise band at church.  I will admit however that my guitar skills are very mediocre at best, but at least I now have an outlet for my musical passion.  More music tomorrow.

So, I didn’t know exactly where I should post this, but Old School Religion it is.  First let me say That I totally dig “the wife of my youth.” I have now been married nearly 13 years to Tara, I know, WOW, time flies.  I re-realized that I love her more today than the day I married her.  The thing about Christian marriage is that in order for the kind of marriage that we have to exist it has to be founded on Jesus and bathed in the sustaining grace that only God can give.

I remember when Levi the eldest was born and we went out to eat with my mom who was present for most of the long and stressful labor and delivery.  She was in the midst of significant turmoil with her second husband.  She said that there was something different about our relationship.  I told her in a very transparent moment for both of us that the difference is God.  She said, “no its something else.”  I said no its God.  I just don’t think that two sinners can have the fullness of marriage without Jesus.  That is not to say that people who don’t have Jesus don’t have long marriages, but there is something qualitatively different about those marriages I’ve seen that have been founded on Jesus.

I thouroughly look forward to spending the rest of my life with Tara.  Listening to Mark Driscoll (one of my favorite preachers www.marshillchurch.org, you need to check him out) he pointed out that marriage founded on Jesus is truly the strongest type because it is rests on a covenant commitment to the Gospel.  When two people join together in marriage it is not a commiment to proximity, or personal preference, but to partnership in the gospel of Jesus.

So, all Jesus loving dudes out there… Cling to the wife of your youth… prize her as a great treasure and gift of God. 

All you Jesus loving chicks…. Cling to your husband… respect and honor him as a loving leader.