Author Archives: Chaplainmike

A Great Deal on Luther’s Music

You won’t find a better opportunity to acquaint yourself with the hymns and songs of Martin Luther than this. Concordia Publishing House’s set called, Martin Luther: Hymns, Ballads, Chants, Truth is available in MP3 download format at Amazon for only $5.49. This set features 39 pieces composed by Luther, interspersed with some of his spokenContinue reading “A Great Deal on Luther’s Music”

Three Worship Songs Now in the Top 25

Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) is the primary service churches and ministries use to deal with copyright issues related to worship materials. Churches buy a license that allows them, among other things, to print and project songs in their services. They keep records of the songs they use, then send periodic reports in to CCLIContinue reading “Three Worship Songs Now in the Top 25”

Church Music Philosophy and Guidelines (Roman Catholic)

During Church Music Month, we will give you a chance to look at portions of documents on the subject by various church groups and denominations. We begin with a thoughtful and thorough paper by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, published in 2007, called, “Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship.” You canContinue reading “Church Music Philosophy and Guidelines (Roman Catholic)”

Blessing the Animals

Note from CM: Last Sunday, I pulled into the parking lot at the church I was attending and noted that they were having an outdoor service. Getting out of my car, I saw folks walking their dogs and carrying other pets toward the chairs. “Ah,” I thought as I smiled, “they’re blessing the animals thisContinue reading “Blessing the Animals”

iMonk Classic: Singing in the Evangelical Liturgy

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer From Sept. 2009 Note from CM: Back in 2009, Michael Spencer did a series on various elements in a traditional Protestant worship service, discussing how we might understand those elements and use them to revitalize traditional evangelical worship. Today’s post is from that series. * * * Singing. Oh yes….singing.Continue reading “iMonk Classic: Singing in the Evangelical Liturgy”

My Favorite “Jesus Music” Group

Larry Norman, Love Song, Paul Clark, Lamb, Honeytree, John Fischer, Second Chapter of Acts, Phil Keaggy, Maranatha! — these and other names may or may not be familiar to you. They were some of the pioneers in “Jesus Music,” later called “CCM” (contemporary Christian music), that blossomed during the early 1970’s and prepared the way forContinue reading “My Favorite “Jesus Music” Group”

Another Look at a Favorite Hymn

Ever since I was a child, one of my favorite hymns has been, “This Is My Father’s World“, by Rev. Maltbie D. Babcock. I’m sure what first caught my attention was its lovely melody, which is said to have been adapted from an English folk tune by Franklin L. Sheppard. This hymn (or poem asContinue reading “Another Look at a Favorite Hymn”

Church Music Month on Internet Monk

October will be “Church Music Month” on Internet Monk. Throughout the month we will feature posts about the ministry of music, with particular emphasis on its role in worship in the local congregation. Articles that express various perspectives about church music. Interviews with people who are working in congregations in the ministry of worship andContinue reading “Church Music Month on Internet Monk”

Psunday Psalms: Do We Pray Like This? Can We Pray Like This?

Psunday Psalms Devotional Thoughts on the Psalms * * * The Lord judges the peoples; vindicate me, O Lord, for the righteousness and blamelessness that are mine. Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; he who probes the mind and conscience is God the righteous. I look toContinue reading “Psunday Psalms: Do We Pray Like This? Can We Pray Like This?”