Kumbaya From Around The World

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (RNS) -- At their weekly choir rehearsal, the Messengers of Peace practice what they call "fun" music along with the Lutheran standards of "Lift High the Cross" and "Amazing Grace."Working through the syncopations, rhythms and languages of African and Spanish hymns, they bring a new tradition to the worship at Peace Lutheran Church every third Sunday: music from around the world.

In fact, "Siyahamba," a South African piece known as "We Are Marching in the Light of God," has become such a favorite that it is no longer sung solely by the choir. Sometimes the congregation sings along, and a bell choir plays it, too.

"This is one you can really just open out," enthused Christine Howlett, a first soprano who travels from Mount Ranier, Md., to sing in the choir. "You don't have to have any reserve. You can sing your heart out."

Global church music -- particularly from Africa, Asia and Latin America -- has trickled down from occasional international Christian gatherings to average worship services across the country. And, in the last decade, publishing houses have issued new hymnals and hymnal supplements for denominations that feature more music from foreign lands. Others have published smaller volumes that highlight global music.

Rank	Location	Receipts	Donors/Avg	Freepers/Avg	Monthlies
31	Kansas	60.00	2	30.00			90.00	5

What is your opinion about this trend, Rev?

I'm not too familiar with Lutheran worship as a whole - African music or otherwise.

I'm personally fond of a sole piano - slightly out of tune with some oldsters singing four part harmony to depression era Methodist hymns. I'm told older hymns draw thier melody from tavern songs.

I am familiar with African music in that one of our sister Church's here in Rochester has a large population of Uduk (Sudanese) who frequently share thier culture at meetings and such - I find it hard to listen to - they use only five notes in thier musical scale and one lone woman typically harmonizes in a high range - wreaking havoc with my tinitus. Supposedly, it's called a pentatonic scale - the big joke being, they are sooooo pooor (how poor are they) - they only have five notes in thier scale......(deadpan - sorry)

As for our congregation - they are much younger and connect with modern praise songs - some of which benefit worship - some which are an annoyance. My son who wanted nothing to do with Church 2 years ago as a surly young teen, has played drums and guitar (elec) quite consistently (unprodded)- to which I am confident that God is using the music to reach him. My only condition would be a theological soundness rather than just "pretty, warm and fuzzy"

I dont have a problem with modern praise music as a whole - providing it's application and use is respectful of the congregations demographics and cultural frame - I don't see how African music or melodies accomplish that - but then again - I don't see an admonition to the contrary.

Psalm 69:30 I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 92:1 It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High,

Psalm 149:1 Praise the LORD . [ 149:1 Hebrew [ Hallelu Yah ] ; also in verse 6 ] Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.

Isaiah 42:10 Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.

James 5:13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

Now - some pre-historic FM'ers would cringe at all the instrumentation of todays worship - our early Disciplines show a prohibition for anything but voices, but thankfully that has eased over the years to include a piano, sometimes a modestly small organ. In the case of praise songs, a couple guitars, piano, bass, drums - tambourine etc....

As for the "trend" - I worry that the melting pot that civilization is becoming as a whole is adulterating unique cultural aspects....music being one of them - We've no doubt adulterated African Christian worship with English hymnology, and what were seeing here is the adulteration of English worship by African cultural influences.

Do I care for it ? - No. Do we need to ensure a theological soundness with this trend? Yes - Is it happening? - By the article....No

do you have any good midi links for old methodist hymns ?

How have you been?

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