Doctrinal Music

That's what came to mind when I read how St. Paul qualifies teaching that 'conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God'. I've always had, and still have, difficulties with adjectives, such as 'sound' in 'sound doctrine'. Doctrine is neutral in its own context but as soon as you start messing with adjectives it gets complicated. Yet, we do need them to qualify, or put substance, to 'sound'. What sound? Who's making it? Why do we need it? What are the objective qualifiers that determine the 'soundness' or 'soundlessness' of ‘sound’?

I’m glad Paul helps me out. He says that stuff that conforms tot the glorious gospel of the blessed Lord’ is okay music. Stuff that doesn’t conform is still music, but it sucks and doesn’t bring glory to God.

Now, I made a decision that I want to bring glory to God. That means I need to produce the right music.
You know what? It’s not the music that I like, or feel good about but it is music that originates from ‘the gospel of the blessed God’.
To be ‘sound’ in my life means I need to dig the music up form the gospel. There is no other way.

Even then, there is still a lot we find ourselves interpreting. Getting to the core, studying the words of God doesn’t result in a straightforward solution. We find ourselves tuning, tweaking, and shaping those words into the sound that God originally intended. Can it be done? If I say yes, you’ll call me a dreamer, or an idealist. If I say no, you’ll tell me that I should never give in to defeat and encourage me to keep on producing sound.

I believe God’s sound is the sound of love. He gave us His word, His sound. His sound flows out of His love. And that’s where the answer lies: sound without love is sound that judges people, condemns them. Sound with love is always right. Take out the love and sound becomes a sledgehammer, a merciless sword. But with love, sound is the sweetest fragrance that brings healing, restoration, forgiveness, acceptance, firmness, loveliness…

Let’s make sound!

Brauhaus

Last week I was in Germany for (business)meetings with a bunch of people. Most of these people have become friends over the years. Some of them I would even consider very good friends; we've established a level of trust and respect that enables us to share our innermost struggles, fears, joys, doubts, victories, temptations, questions and even... answers.

When business is done the "Brauhaus" is our hangout. A local pub that brews their own brand of beer. "Brauhaus times" are the highlight of the meetings. Because of what happens in the Brauhaus we are able to face the next full day of business meetings. The knitting together of hearts and minds sets the attitude for business talk.

I believe the Western Church lacks "Brauhauses" where Gods people, in a very natural way, learn and grow together. Smart and polished programmes and schedules attempt to replace Brauhaus times, but they cannot. People shy away from these.

Reality check:

Do I have time for a "Brauhaus"? Nearly every evening we have a "programme", whether a business or comittee meeting, prayer..... But no, I do not have enough time to do more Brauhaus.

So, if I do believe in Brauhaus I will have to look at my priorities and beliefs. Because my live will reflect what I truly hold dear. It's not easy as a churchleader.
What I would like to see happen is that most of our meetings, whether business, comittee, or prayer becomes a Brauhaus experience. I believe it can be done.

Prayer can be fun and real the same time but we've got to cut through the traditions, distance and lack of engagement. Touch my heart and my heart will respond. Touch my mind and my mind will respond. The mind needs to follow the heart and that what's Brauhaus does.

Choose today: More Brauhaus