psallam spiritu et mente... (2)

As creative artists we thrive on encouragement, challenge and discussion; other writers and theologians taking our work seriously and recognizing the qualities of our work.
Some people put this down to the perennial problem of the artist's ego. I, personally, think it's an aspect of our relational nature. We were made in the image and likeness of God, and He set the pattern of ultimate Creator - to 'walk in the garden, in the cool of the day' and talk with us about the things he had made. We who are His 'creations who create' can hardly think of anything better.

So, yes, I like to listen to people's songs and discuss them. And to have people respond to my songs with comments and criticisms. It's all the more beneficial and therapeutic if we agree on standards, aims and purposes that fulfil our calling within the kingdom.
We need a Covenant song and hymnwriters group; we need to exchange materials, agree on topics and encourage one another to write and publish. We need grace and mercy, to be able to speak the truth in love.

much of the available contemporary repertoire is unbalanced...

It's true that much of the available contemporary repertoire is unbalanced. This is for a multitude of reasons, including the doctrinal background from which it comes, the acceptability or fashionable nature of the doctrines celebrated and the simple whims of the publishers.

Try this simple test; glance through the Covenant Affirmations, and try to think of songs that celebrate them. You'll find many areas that are under-emphasized, or just missing from, the current song and hymn repertoire. Examples might include the Incarnation, Repentance, Lament for injustice (I don't just mean songs that talk about CMJ, I mean material that identifies with those who suffer, and cries out to God on their behalf) and many more. It's not unnatural to find gaps like these - after all, we want our worship to be attractive, celebratory, joyful, winsome and uplifting - that's only natural. Much of the music mankind creates will be the natural expression of our lives. (Did I say natural enough?)
But in worship we are called to follow God's agenda; we need to be honest as well as happy, conscientious as well as contemporary.
You can be too honest. An old UK friend, Ian Traynor, told me they once wrote a song in his church that went "O God, I want to praise you but I feel rotten" and the third week they gave up singing it because it was such a downer. He reckoned it became a negative prophecy.
So let's be positive. Let's encourage one another - but let's also find ways in which we can build a holistic, contemporary and truthful expression of praise, worship and prayer for today's Covenant church.