I do not have problem with the volume of the music in any church. Being 90% deaf and fitted with hearing aids, loud noices do not bother me much. I can easily adjust the volume of the aids, or even turn them off completely.

The volume of the music in churches nowadays seems to reflect the contemporary understanding of John 4:23b, “God’s worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.” The more charismatic (spiritual?) the church, the louder (more spirited?) the music!

What troubles me really is the lyrics of some of the contemporary songs. Words like “Lord, I give you glory,” or “Jesus, I crown you king.” I find it difficult to sing out these words when I ask myself what glory do I have to give my Lord? Isn’t the glory in the whole universe already his? What authority do I have to crown Jesus? What sort of crown can we sinners put on his head (Matthew 27:29)?

Maybe I’ll need to adjust my thinking to keep up with the contemporary assertiveness/proactiveness of the Christian worship.

– Tony Cheung
Wellington