Music in Worship

Most of what I have at the moment are questions. I’m familiar with the thrill of a really good gig, it’s spiritual of a kind isn’t it? If so, what is the difference, if any, between the high of a concert and the musical high from religious music? Is it the context that makes the difference? In which case, does the content of the music matter? And how can I discern when I am being manipulated by a performer? Or by a worship leader?

I’m reading an interesting book at the moment called ‘Music and the Mind’. Don’t understand it all but what I am catching is leaving me with even more questions. I started reading it because I’m trying to understand more about what music does to me in worship. More specifically I’m concerned to develop interpretive tools to discern what is going on in worship.

And just today I received P.S. from the Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland. It was on music too so I was particularly intrigued.

Anyway, I’ve got a bit of work to do, but if anyone knows of any useful resources I’d be delighted to hear about them.