By Steve Abbott [Current Minister] Christ Church Anglican
Music: What’s Your Verdict?
Attitudes towards music can be both very diverse and held with varying degrees of passion. Take for example my wife’s and my attitudes. I get in the car and turn the radio on while Sue gets in the car and turns the radio off. I love listening to music in the car. But for Sue it’s a distracting noise. Neither view is wrong or right, they’re simply different. But to some people Sue’s opinion would be shocking. Take for example Adam Levine, who places music at the top of his tree of great things when he states, ‘Music is seriously the greatest thing on Earth!’ Mac Millar in his own words echoes Levine’s thoughts when he says, ‘I love music more than anything else in the world.’ While I can appreciate Levine and Millar’s personal enthusiasm for music, I’d suggest their families would hope for at least slightly modified comments on music. Comments, which place music a little lower and the family a little higher on the food chain of great and loved things.
But for most people, music plays an important role in their lives. Bono of U2 fame declared, ‘Music can change the world because it can change people.’ Hans Christian Anderson also believed music had power, ‘Where words fail music speaks.’ And the early 20th century writer, Christian Nestell Bovee comments on what he perceives as the significant place of music, ‘[It] is the fourth great material want, first food, then clothes, then shelter, then music.’ And for all the Swifties out there, Taylor speaks of music as a trusted companion or friend that is more dependable than people, ‘People haven’t always been there for me, but music always has.’
It’s fairly safe to say that music is universal to every culture and like language, it is a powerful form of expression. People can be heard to say that music takes them somewhere else or speaks to them deeply when words do not suffice. I think we need to be careful not to idolise music itself. But I believe music is a gift from God which can bring people pleasure, touch our deepest being (soul) and is a significant tool for worshipping God himself. Interestingly, the Christian Bible is full of songs and indeed one whole book, the Psalms, contains 150 Jewish/Christian songs that give expression to our emotions from the depths of grief to the heights of delight, and everything in between. If you’ve never read the songbook of the Scriptures, the songbook Jesus used, pick up a Bible (or ask us for one) and give them a read. I’m sure you’ll find it edifying as they still speak powerfully to the human condition.
Speaking of music, Christ Church Anglican has arranged for two members of ‘The Smiley Martin Band’ to visit Lord Howe Island from 5-15 July. The band play both original music and covers for such famous musicians as Neil Young, Van Morrison, Roy Orbison and more. Christ Church has offered the Band free of charge to local venues and at the time of writing, they’ve been booked to play at Anchorage Restaurant on Saturday night, 6 July, and the Bowling Club on Thursday evening, 11 July. Please come along and support these events.
Also, be sure not to miss the free concert on Saturday night, 13 July, at the Anglican Church, 7.30-9pm, including wine and cheese. In addition, there will be a family friendly, fun filled ‘Christmas In July’ event on Sunday, 14 July, 3-5pm, with live music, games, prizes, free drinks and finger-food, featuring the Smiley Martin Band. Everyone is invited and welcome to attend. Look forward to seeing you all there.
PS. Currently our Wednesday midweek gathering, 2-3pm each week at the Rectory (behind the church), is viewing a fascinating video series called ‘Jesus the Game Changer’. The series explores how the founder of Christianity was strategic in establishing what we now refer to as Western Democracy. Authors, Historians, Philosophers and Modern-Day Game Changers from around the globe share their insights into how Jesus changed the world and why it matters. Again, everyone, Islanders and Tourists, are all welcome. The meeting commences with afternoon tea. Hope to see you there.
