The music program in the local church is vital, and it’s impact—for good or bad—on a church service is immeasurable. While some may view music as simply a form of entertainment and emotional conditioning, godly music plays a much larger role in a church.

Scripture gives at least seven purposes for Christ-honoring music. Use these principles as a gauge to evaluate the biblical soundness of your music ministry:

1. The Purpose of Worship—“And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished” (2 Chronicles 29:28).
2. The Purpose of Thanks—“Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God” (Psalm 147:7).
3. The Purpose of Rejoicing—“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm” (Psalm 98:4–5).
4. The Purpose of Consecration—“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts” (Psalm 139:23). (Spoken in song!) “Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation” (Psalm 111:1).
5. The Purpose of Edification—“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).
6. The Purpose of Evangelism—“And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:3).
7. The Purpose of Preservation of Faith—“One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works” (Psalm 145:4–5).

May the music of our churches bring glory to the Lord and lift our hearts in His praise.

Each December our Christian school performs a Christmas play. This year’s presentation is at 7:00 tonight—”We Worship Him.” Parents, grandparents, and family friends come to watch the children’s production. From before the play begins until the last child in costume exits the stage, one can feel the enjoyment of the audience.

But the play really begins long before the audience arrives. Months before the performance, teachers have begun the work of preparing for the play—writing the script, selecting the cast, practicing with the choir, constructing the costumes, and preparing the props.

With far greater precision than the most elaborate school production, God meticulously and precisely prepared and set the stage for the birth of Christ. From eternity past this event was planned. Prophets foretold it; Old Testament saints watched for it; and God’s people longed for it. (more…)

My new grandson, Camden, has reminded me just how much a baby changes things. This one little person has the incredible ability to change the schedule, plans, and budget of every adult in our family. And he doesn’t even realize the stir he has created!

Every mother can attest to the changes a baby brings, but when that baby is the Son of God, He changes everything! This evening and Sunday evening our church choir, orchestra, and drama team will present the musical “A Baby Changes Everything.” Watch it via livestream at http://www.lancasterbaptist.org/live.asp—6:00 pacific time. Please pray for the many visitors who are coming from our community to see this presentation on the birth of Christ. Pray they will respond to the Gospel and allow the Lord Jesus to change everything in their lives—especially their eternity!

Ron Hamilton has done much in the way of promoting Christ-honoring music in fundamental Baptist churches across the nation.  Each time Brother Hamilton has the opportunity to visit our ministry, I am encouraged by his testimony as well as his godly philosophy of music.

Our kids grew up listening to Brother Hamilton’s Patch the Pirate tapes and CDs. These recordings taught and reinforced basic biblical principles in a fun and interesting way.  Whenever our family loaded up the car for a trip, we were always sure to include the latest Patch the Pirate CD!

This past Sunday, as Brother Hamilton was with us in our services,  it was a blessing to hear him speak again with the same spirit of humility he has displayed for many years. He was a great blessing to the families of our church and we appreciate his ministry in music.

Steve Amerson and Cary Schmidt

Verse One
Souls on the street addicted to sin
Selling themselves to survive
Not understanding the hope they could find
In a place where God’s love is alive
They doubt that they could meet the standards necessary
And fear they’ll find judgement rather than a sanctuary

Chorus
This must be a place where a broken heart can mend
This must be a place where an outcast finds a friend
For we cannot lift the fallen
If our hands are holding stones
And their sin that seems so great to us
Is no greater than our own
There must come a point where shame meets grace
And this must be the place

Verse Two
The neighbor next door keeps the house looking good
But the home is collapsing within
Pressures of life tear a family apart
And temptations destruction begins
They doubt the church could have the answers necessary
And fear they’ll find rejection rather than a sanctuary

Bridge
This church must be the arms of God reaching out to bring them in
To a place where they can find God’s love regardless of their sin