Music Guidelines
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand…" – Ephesians 6:11
The theme for MTYC The MTYC 2012 theme /* – Able to Stand – */ will guide the selection of music. The music committee will strive to utilize music that will ennoble the senses and allow the Holy Spirit to transform and renew minds. This has the following implications:
- Definition: In the medium of music, the Word of God is presented through direct quotation of God's Word, a paraphrase which faithfully delivers the intensions of the text, lyrics which embody the spirit and theology of Seventh-day Adventist Christianity, or sound made by an instrument(s) that clearly makes allusions to sacred themes or is written in a sacred context (ref. Eze 22:26).
- Vertical Communication: Offering music is an act of worship and therefore needs to be primarily directed towards our object of worship, God. This awareness must be present in the process of selecting, preparing, and presenting the music (ref. Col 3:23; Education 168).
- Horizontal Communication: The musician should have in mind the congregation that will receive the music. Since music should edify, the musical selections must be comprehendible by the average listener. That is, music which is personally edifying, but that which cannot edify others due to the style, nature, or content of the musical selection, will not be appropriate for use at MTYC (ref. Col 3:16; 1 Cor 14).
- Holistic Communication: Music should engage the soul, mind, and body. It should praise the Name of Jesus with sincerity and reverence. Any musical style that implements the use of strong rhythmic drive or focuses on the individual performing rather than God, is unbalanced, and will not be used at MTYC (ref. Mark 12:30).
- Consecrated Communication: The music must be devoid of associations with immorality and triviality. Undignified attitudes and gestures can do as much harm as the music itself (1 Cor 9:27; Rom 14; The Voice in Speech and Song, 423).
- Excellent Communication: MTYC strives for excellence in all areas, and music is an effective medium for representing this philosophy. Musical excellence, as well as spiritual sincerity, maturity, and appropriateness will all be considered in evaluating musical selections. (Isa 10:15; 1 Peter 2:9).
