Electric Guitar
I think That some people get the wrong idea about and electric guitar or any other "Secular" instrument for that matter. An electric guitar is a tool, is technically the same as an acustic guitar in tuning and playing technique. The real question is weather or not it is to be allowed, but what does the musician prefer. I am a guitar player myself,I play a Hamer Explorer and I wouldn't just change instruments on the whim of a technicallity. The real concern here isn't the instument it's weather or not the musician is in a correct mindset to conduct worship. A good worship leader is a humble one. It's not the style of music or even the instrument it's about praising God and worshipping him. if the worship leader is doing his job the instrument or style of music does not matter. In worshiping God there is a spiritual place that a person needs to be in, rather than just going through the motions. It is important to remember that music is a tool, a gift given to us by God. To not use it to it's full potential is a din of the greates magnitude. And remember there are plenty of secular tunes that use and organ, it's just as "secular" as any other instrument, don't beleive me? listen to some "Nightwish"(Proggressive metal from Finland) is you have any doubts. Being a musician I feel more strongly about this issue than almost any other...
P.S. I feel obligated to at least type this and submitt it even if this post is trashed.
QUESTION from Thomas on January 11, 2004
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob Slavek on January 17, 2004
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Dear Thomas, Thanks for writing, I am happy to put your post on the forum. The problem though isn't only the mindset of the music minister, but also the mindset of the people listening. I agree that a guitar is capable of producing wonderful sacred music that brings people close to God. However when at church, when you hear a guitar playing, you cannot help but think rock concert since the guitar, most guitars not just electric ones, is so closely connected with profane secular music, regardless of the mindset of the performer. This is not "just a technicality" rather it is a serious problem since the profane has no place at all in liturgical worship. Of course you are right that there are pieces written for the organ that are secular, but they are not so serious that an organ cannot be played without their thought. In the United States the pipe organ is very nearly exclusively thought of as a religious instrument, at least among Catholics. Mr. Slavek |
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