"Many parishioners simply don't view what goes on in the church as 'the arts.'" This startling statement was uttered by my organ teacher, Sister MJ Wagner, of Elm Grove. Perhaps that's because the music used in the parish was low quality to begin with, and no one seemed motivated to improve on the status quo.
This new post from the New Liturgical Movement blog indicates a stirring among humble "church mice" such as myself to see the quality improved and uplifted as an offering worthy of the God we serve. Our efforts tell the world what we think of our God.
2 comments:
It's not just the music. Upgrading the Worship Experience is more to the point. When worship excludes the arts, what is the resulting spiritual experience of worship? Does worship include well-constructed prose, poetry, visual art, well-crafted worship articles, grounded liturgy? If not, where is the motivation to upgrade music? Certainly not in the worship service where musical excellence is not a goal to be achieved. Musical excellence reflects the truth of God, helps us hear and see God without words, text, language. It is the most inclusive music there is.
Good points, Gary! Even though I'm Lutheran, I admire the way the Catholic church has historically fostered excellence in the arts and the fact that the arts are so valued in that system. Luther continued that tradition, I believe, of valuing the arts, and I appreciate it. Again, it truly makes for a whole "experience" that either inspires or fails to motivate the worshippers.
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