Music & ministry

by Calvin M. Johansson

Of necessity, the church musician is a zealous, eager, and energetic worker who has little time for reflection, contemplation, and philosophic thought. What he most often craves is inspiration, new ideas, repertoire, methodological suggestions, problem solving, and technical review. Yet here is a book that asks music directors, pastors, choir members, soloists, instrumentalists, organists, and pianists to set aside their music making momentarily and to reflect seriously on their activities -- a brief sabbatical for reviewing biblical principles foundational to music ministry. In a fresh approach, Calvin Johansson proposes a contrapuntal dynamic in understanding and integrating theological foundations of music ministry. "As in musical counterpoint, such a contrapuntal discussion acknowledges the right of each theological theme to exist independently in its own right. Yet it is only as these independent themes are harmonized by combining them in disciplined relationship that music, or in