Churches of the Independent Fundamentalist and Evangelical denomination use a wide variety of elements in worship renewal, reflecting the differing backgrounds of the individuals who make up its congregations. Music continues to be an important contribution to worship, and environmental art, dance, and drama are used increasingly. Leadership is often assigned to a minister of fine arts.
A significant trend in the renewal of worship is the new emphasis on music and the visual arts. The trend is so significant that churches are hiring ministers of music and worship, or of music and fine arts, or simply ministers of fine arts. The churches are rethinking the meaning of worship, music, and liturgy.
Music
Philosophy. Music has often been thought of as a part of heavenly worship. It is one of the few “descriptive” elements of earthly worship that clearly continues in the heavenly realm and expresses both the heart and mind of the worshiper. For music in worship to be authentic, it must be embraced by both the heart and the mind. As the congregation comes to understand and experience this, worship can be revitalized. Where worship is dynamic and genuine, music is seen as substantive, theological, and significant. It is not to be merely a decorative addition but becomes an audible expression of the heart and mind.
Style. One of the contributing factors to revitalized worship that is often cited by members of the congregation is the great variety of musical styles heard during services. In observing creation, we see that the Creator’s own handiwork is expressed with considerable variety. Having been made in the image of God, it is reasonable, even expected, that one should express his or her love in a variety of styles and colors appropriate to a specific environment. Worship music ought to reflect the style of each culture and the unique perspective of each ethnic group. Thus, variety enables the worshiper to gain a sense of history (the Independent Fundamentalist and Evangelical churches were not the first to discover authentic worship), a sense of identity (our churches are only a small part of the “holy, catholic church”), and a sense of joy, color, and creativity (there are many ways to express love). The many arts offer a great opportunity to teach the breadth of style for the glory of God.
Function of Music. One of the hallmarks of renewal in worship is understanding that music serves many different functions in worship. Just as a service is organized around the several aspects of worship (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, Communion, and so forth), likewise music must be planned to serve each of these components. Music planning should not merely be a matter of plugging in an all-purpose “opener” and “closer,” but rather should involve reflecting on what the text of a musical number actually says and from that determining where it might best be placed in the service. Great historical hymns as well as contemporary examples, occasional chant, gospel songs, praise choruses, singing of psalms, and responsorial hymnody all become part of the regular musical expression in worship. Thus, very rarely is the service identical from week to week. There is, however, enough repetition with an ever-expanding body of musical literature so that continuity is maintained.
Contemporary Instrumentals. One of the clear trends in churches marked by dynamic worship is the growth of instrumental programs. It is common for larger churches to hire part-time or full-time instrumental directors. Of particular note is the interest in synthesizers and other high-tech devices. The surge of interest in “discovering the potential within” and meditation has resulted in a whole field of reflective mood music that makes considerable use of keyboard instruments of all kinds and acoustic guitars. The church, which might be criticized for merely following contemporary trends in commercial music, has seen a rise in the use of straight instrumental music in worship. This may not be bad in itself, but is rather to be welcomed, but for different reasons than the usual “this is what the people are listening to and we want to be relevant.” A far better reason to use handbells, guitars, strings, brass, winds, synthesizers, pipe organs, pianos, and percussion are that they can help us express the feelings, ideas, and joys we can express in no other way. The minister of music is called upon to create, arrange, or find parts for the available instrumentalists and to foster the development of players within the congregation.
The Arts
Environmental Art. It is common and desirable for churches to be constructed in such a manner as to allow flexibility for the placement in the chancel area of the important items needed for worship (pulpit, font, Table, choir, etc.). Depending on the size and shape of the sanctuary (sadly, often called the “auditorium”), the pews or chairs can be variously arranged to reflect the particular emphasis from week to week. In the larger congregations, of course, there is less flexibility.
It is the practice of some congregations to display Advent and Holy Week banners. While this is usual in certain denominations, others in the free-church tradition have begun to benefit from a more general awareness of the church year and the use of banners and hangings. It is common to find the display of flags and festive processional surrounding mission conferences. One church offers Communion every other month on Sunday mornings, while Communion services in the alternate months are in the evening. The ministers, who normally wear suits, don vestments for these services. It is not uncommon to find a wide variety of liturgical expressions in worship since independent churches often draw from a wide variety of religious affiliations. More importantly, these churches have also discovered that this variety opens whole new vistas of possibilities for worship.
Drama. Another significant movement in recent years is the development of drama in worship and ministry. Numerous Christian drama troupes travel the country, and drama ministries within local churches have flourished. One such local church developed a dramatic rendering of the story of Hannah, Samuel, Elkanah, and Eli at Samuel’s dedication to the Lord. The portion from the First Book of Samuel was developed into an eight-to-nine-minute vignette suitable for part of a service that included a children’s dedication.
Some portions of Scripture are best read dramatically, and others in dialogue with a narrator. Sometimes portions are most effective if the reader is not seen as, for example, when the voice is to be that of God (e.g., the story of the Transfiguration).
In some churches, a theater ministry has recently developed with various kinds of outreach productions, particularly in the Christmas and Easter seasons. These are variously approached from the simplest (and perhaps least interesting) use of an already published “canned cantata” to completely original work. One church works with an entirely new script each year but uses a wide variety of styles and sources for Christmas music. This has the benefit of using familiar Christmas music in combination with an original story. Also, the church’s resources in talent and vision are given opportunities for expression.
It is also common to find dance, usually a combination of ballet and mime in festive programs, or in special seasons such as Holy Week. There is a growing awareness, albeit reluctant in some quarters of the church, of the great ability to communicate beautifully through dance in worship. In this ministry, it is important that the performers are very good and clearly understand the nature of the offering. The best and most effective source for the dancers is in the congregation itself. It would seem most inappropriate to ask an unbeliever to lead in worship in a dancing role.
The Minister of Fine Arts
One of the clear responsibilities of the minister of fine arts in worship renewal is the great privilege and responsibility of teaching. The church has too often used frustrated performers in leadership positions in worship. This has often led to a clash of egos. This is the great danger in so-called “contemporary worship” led by a Christian band that “performs” or leads worship. Ministers of fine arts, those called upon for leadership in the artistic elements of worship, need to teach both their congregations and their fellow staff members about the nature of worship. Fine arts staffs should include persons who have some training in music education and worship, but not simply those with degrees in music performance, e.g., organists who know only the traditional repertoire. Put simply, much more versatility is required of them, and they must be an active part of the congregation’s spiritual life. Sadly, ministers of fine arts are still largely left on their own in developing an appropriate philosophy of art in worship, though there are happily a few exceptions being developed in some seminary programs.