Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't CVP have a music team and more contemporary music?
We believe that the debate in the modern church over worship style, particularly over music, is due to the widespread belief that worship is purely an individualistic and preference-based medium. It is, so say many, solely a form of self-expression. With regard to music, you'll find some individuals in the church that never move their mouths during singing because either they don't like to sing or they feel that they can't sing. Others can be heard over everyone else in the room because they believe they can sing and want to prove that point. The perspective of both groups is the same Ð music is somehow relative to the individual. I like to sing; I don't like to sing. Because all that matters is my self-expression, I can sing however I want.
In Ephesians and Colossians Paul tells us to admonish and teach one another through song. He doesn't offer music as a medium of self-expression, but rather teaches that singing among other believers is the way we submit to and edify one another in the Body of Christ. We demonstrate our maturity as Christians when we are bound together by love, ruled by peace, and the Word of Christ richly dwells within us, leading us to admonish and teach one another through song.
Because music actually plays such an important role in worship, our desire at CVP is to move away from asking what type of music pleases me, the individual, and ask instead what type of music pleases God. Thus, our hope at CVP is to sing music that faithfully adheres to the Scriptures both in theological accuracy and content, following the patterns of music in Scripture established in the Psalms and other passages.
Regarding instruments and a music team, we are not opposed to multiple instruments in worship. However, we do believe that the purpose of worship leading is to facilitate worship. Too many times music teams end up being performance groups who actually distract from worship either by lack of musicianship or excessive showmanship. As God brings us godly, mature, and skilled musicians, and where we think they will benefit the leading of worship, we will use them during the service.
Click here for a more comprehensive teaching on the role of music in worship
