1994 – Regarding Music in the Church

WHEREAS, music is “the noblest gift of God, next to theology,” (Martin Luther) to be employed for His praise and glory and to edify the hearers; and

WHEREAS, music is a moral medium for the communication of a message, which should be clear and distinct, as well as a means to set the mood of those who hear and the tone of a meeting; and

WHEREAS, music in worship is a complement to preaching and a preparation for the heart to receive God’s Word, and not a substitute for the preaching of the Word of God; and

WHEREAS, Charismatics and others have sought to contemporize Christian music (Contemporary Christian Music) and promote Gospel Rock as a morally neutral means to the end of building evangelistic bridges to young people preoccupied with rock music, heavy-metal bands and MTV; and

WHEREAS, CCM and Gospel Rock music serve to blur the distinction between secular entertainment music and Christian worship music, resulting in confusion.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we, the members of the Independent Baptist Fellowship of North America, meeting in conference at Merrillville, Ind., June 21-23, 1994, do hereby condemn CCM and Gospel Rock attempts to blend the holy with the unholy, and declare that the message or lyrics cannot justify or excuse the music that conveys it. We, therefore, agree that the music is an integral part of the message conveyed, making its own impact upon the heart and mind.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as it was impossible to “sing the Lord’s song in a strange land” (Psalm 137:4), so also it is now impossible to sing a strange song in the Lord’s land. Therefore, we repudiate the use of such music in any form of Gospel ministry, be it the local church, youth programs or any other activity.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we caution our people not to purchase or listen to such music in their personal lives, and challenge our churches to recognize the need to research and provide alternatives of good, edifying music for our people.