Book Review: The Music Architect by Constance M Cherry
Book Review: The Music Architect by Constance M Cherry
3 May 2017
Reviewed by Captain Adam Couchman
The Music Architect: blueprints for engaging worshipers in song by Constance M. Cherry seeks to “guide all persons vested in the music ministry of the local church (musicians or not) to think more deeply and prayerfully about music in worship so that it can best fulfil its God-given purposes”.
A follow-up to The Worship Architect, Cherry’s latest offering is a welcome addition for those responsible for constructing public worship for the church, specifically as they consider the role music has to play in that endeavour.
In the early stages of the book, Cherry lays important foundations regarding music’s role in worship. The depth here is important and a necessary precursor to later practical considerations, including understanding the structure of worship, and choosing appropriate songs for congregational singing. The final chapters give practical guidance to those responsible for leading worship in a public setting, including the important matters of discipleship and spiritual formation.
Arguably the greatest contribution that this book makes is in shifting focus away from “style” towards “Discovering the Congregational Voice” (Chapter 8). In recent years, worship planners and leaders have designed worship around particular styles.
Cherry highlights the fault in such an approach in that it “tends to focus on connecting worshipers with persons of like-minded musical preference”, whereas “[congregational] voice focuses on the broader local context”.
The calling of the church is to live out the “unity of the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3) and this will require everyone in a local congregation to search for their shared worship voice.
This book is recommended to anyone involved in the preparation, participation or leading of worship in a local congregation. The Music Architect is available from Koorong for $31.99.
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.