A word of caution and a magic trick

I am very sorry for the embarrassingly late post here, and it is the last full week of school, so I will keep it brief.  I’ll even perform a magic trick at the end to make it up to you.  But first, my message—-

Beware these words: I don’t like it

Those words in that order can be devastating.  It is a phrase with almost no information (none good anyway), and is concentrated on not the “it,” but the “I.”  It is always dangerous to put “I” first, but when it comes to church music, this single phrase can convince a reasonably intelligent person that their opinion about a style, type, or specific piece of music is indeed fact.  Beware!

We learn, and are constantly reminded of the fact that many things that we do not like, are great for us.  ”Eat your vegetables!” “Go to the gym!” “Go to confession!”  Part of growing out of childhood into adulthood is embracing those very same habits our parents tried to teach us that we did not like, and add them to our adult character.

Now for my magic trick, I would like for you to try this:  Think about a band/group/artist/genre of music that you did not like when you were in middle school/high school.  Go ahead, if it doesn’t hit you immediately, take a second.  I promise there is one.  Then, think about why you did not like them, and why you do now.  Let me predict your answer without even hearing it—You either listened to them while you were young, and rediscovered them years later possibly through someone else, OR you listened to/learned about the artist in a way that cast a different light on the artist.

How’d I do?  Probably pretty good, if I do say so myself.

I believe there is only one way for you to be able to say “I don’t like it.”  –Only one.  The only way in music, or in another discipline, is to know more than just the superficial about the “it.”  Sure there is plenty of music I do not like, but I am also getting my masters in music, and have been involved in music my whole life.  If a piece of music is the “it,” and I don’t like “it,” then I give a sound reason, and so must you.

So be careful before making judgements on your church music choices.  Know what you have an opinion on before you convince yourself about it.  Be informed, and you’ll realize maybe that life is just a little more likable.

Thank you for reading! As always, you can find me on facebook (please message me and let me know you found me here), twitter, or by email at david@ecclesiasticalconsulting.com