Music and Religion

I attend a Pentecostal church. The music ranges from old hymns, middle to late 20th century choruses, and contemporary christian music.

I play the violin in a trio also consisting of a piano and keyboard. At the beginning of the service the congregation sings a chorus. The music acts as a call to worship. The trio plays while the congregation sings.

After the chorus is sung, the choir sings two songs. The two songs, chosen by the choir director, serve as praise and worship music. People praise God by singing along, and lifting their hands toward Heaven. The lifting of hands represent a sacrifice of praise unto the Lord. Sometimes the church has special services and the choir director takes the time to select songs that relate to the preacher's sermon.

The offering is taken up after the choir sings. At this time, the trio plays a chorus. The congregation is not expected to sing along, but they are often led by the preacher to do so. The purpose of the music is to provide a continual atmosphere of worship.

After offering, there are two people who each sing a song. They each choose which song they sing. Usually the genre of the songs is Contemporary Christian. Most of the instrumental music provided for the singers is by CD or piano. The purpose of individuals singing is that they are singing for the glory of God. When each song is finished, the congregation usually claps, but they are clapping to give God the glory, not the person who sang.

The trio plays a chorus once again during prayer. When the preacher finishes praying, the congregation sings the chorus.

The violinist and the keyboardist drop out after the congregation finishes singing and the pianist continues to play the chorus while the preacher reads the scripture for the sermon.

At the end of the sermon the pianist usually plays the keyboard during the benediction.

Music in my religion provides a way to show thankfulness to God and exalt His name.

I do believe that the religions in a certain area make a difference in what music the people find most enjoyable in that location.

I recently had a discussion with my uncle who lives in the state of Washington about the difference in the songs played on the local Christian radio stations there and the Christian radio stations in South Carolina. He said that the songs played are heavy metal Christian music instead of the light rock Christian music that is usually played in South Carolina. In South Carolina the majority of churches are Southern Baptist, whereas in Washington there are more Pentecostal and Non-denominational churches. The style of music found in all three of the churches are different, but based on the style of the services and what the two different populations are use to musically, the radio stations can conclude that the listeners will enjoy the two different styles of music.