Church Music as an Effective Communicative Vehicle for Mission and Evangelism Our Contemporary

Abstract

Jesus Christ before His ascension had commanded Christians to preach the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). In order to achieve this great goal, various methods have been used by Christians, out of which music is one. However, it is apparent that there is little information available on the subject of musical evangelism. As a result, much consideration has not been given to this powerful vehicle of mission and evangelism. Sadly, most songs used in mission activities are not distinct in sound and style from the secular entertainment music which always leads to confusion instead of conversion because they are inappropriate for mission as a result of their association. Most of the styles used are the same with what the people of the world use today. Pop, Jazz, Rock, Makossa style etc, all these have been associated with drinking and immoral behaviour. Before proceeding to the body of the paper, it is necessary to establish a working terminology for the enhancement of precise communication within the framework of this paper, and to accomplish this it is necessary that definition of the terms: Music, Mission and Evangelism be established. When this writer uses the term music, it will be all encompassing, that is, lyrics, melody harmony, etc. of a piece of musical composition which is a verbal attempt at communicating a message. Missions will be used to denote sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost, which also includes reaching to people who have never heard about Jesus. Evangelism will be used to denote any efforts to bring an individual into confrontation with the living Christ in such a manner as to give that individual the opportunity to make a responsible initial confession of faith in Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Saviour. Christians are not only to speak the word of God, but also to sing it. This truth is clearly stated in biblical passages such as 1 Chronicles 16:19; Psalm 33:2-3 and Colossians 3:161. However, not every kind

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