Justin writes:

    “Here is something from one of my ethnomusicology clases. It’s is a model (by a man named Ian Collinge) is from a discussion board from one of my classes. We were discussing ‘heart music’ and whether it was a good idea for people in Africa to learn Chinese or Brazilian worship songs, as some are doing. Ian bleieves that it is important for a local body of believers to develop a collection of worship music based on four elements of a group’s identity.”

These are the four identities quoted by Ian Collinge:

1. OUR ETHNIC IDENTITY

We are people of closely defined identities – our background defines this in terms of ethnicity and culture. This is developed through childhood and youth and forms the basis for identifying our own personal and/or corporate “heart music”. This will be expressed in using styles of music in worship that reflect our personal and group identity. In many cultures (especially rural areas), this may still be largely traditional music, or at least music closely associated with the local area. This music is perhaps the most indigenous.

2. OUR MODERN IDENTITY

Cultures change and musical styles develop. Church music styles can often get stuck in the style of a generation that experienced a touch from God and a style of music that expressed that experience. However, if the church’s music is to touch the people around and if younger believers are to feel they can own this worship style, there is a need for older generations to allow the younger generation to develop a heart worship music that may be different from their own preferred styles. This music will incorporate modern stylistic influences.

3. OUR HISTORICAL IDENTITY

We are part of a historic Church that has given rise to great eras of song writing. The Bible encourages us to look back to past times of the history of faith in the God of the Bible. At times, music is the handmaiden that helps us make that bridge to past eras. To sing hymns with melodies of the Welsh revival such as, “The God of Abraham Praise” may evoke that combination of awe and passion that the Welsh revival is known for. Also such a hymn may help some (not all) find encouragement in the Eternal God who walked with Abraham and also walks with us. This is probably not appropriate in most pioneer situations where the new believers first need to discover their heart music in worship. For mature congregations with a keen sense of heart worship, however, breadth and depth can sometimes be enhanced by use of historic hymns and music. In international settings, also, using music that is historic and well known across the world creates a sense of continuity and unity that we must not forget in our prior desire to see every church able to worship in spirit and in truth in their own heart music.

4. OUR WORLDWIDE IDENTITY

The Church is also worldwide, an international body full of diversity. Again, there is a strengthening power in the realization that there are worshippers of Jesus all around the world. My church may be small and there may only be a handful of believers from my ethnic group, but praising God for what he is doing in other places or praying for others that are struggling too can strengthen my determination to follow Jesus. Music from around the world can be the best bridge to help me connect with my brothers and sisters around the world. Learning some songs from other cultures reinforces this worldwide unity of the body of Christ. If I get the opportunity to worship with a larger group from many cultures, it will also help me to know some of the songs that are commonly known by many thousands of Christians and I will gain a fresh perspective on the greatness of my God. Do not mis-read what I am saying here! I am merely suggesting that there is a theological and doxological role for the use of non-indigenous worship styles that applies in whatever culture we are. For example, in our small church in the UK, we learn some African songs. Why? because we have African believers with us. But it also does non-Africans good! We feel part of the greater body of Christ and closer to what God is doing in Africa. It is not our “heart music” maybe, but, it does us good! If we do it right, it can really help us worship in spirit and in truth. As for teaching Chinese House Church songs to Senegalese Wolof, those within or close to the culture are the ones to make that decision! The key question is: will it help them to worship in spirit and in truth?