Last several decades, Korean church has grown up in such a way that no one could find its similar example in history. However, with the coming of the new century and the rapid change of social-cultural situation, Korean church has experienced serious ...
Last several decades, Korean church has grown up in such a way that no one could find its similar example in history. However, with the coming of the new century and the rapid change of social-cultural situation, Korean church has experienced serious crisis, that is, weakening of the church influence and slowdown of the church growth. Therefore, now Korean church has to find out the proper answer to solve its present crisis. This study proposes that the answer can be found out in 'worship revitalization.' Especially, church music is one of the indispensible elements in the worship of the church. Such a fact indicates that church music has to be treated as an important element concerning worship revitalization. Recently, rapid change of cultural-social situation has forced Korean church to accept new pattern of worship and church music without proper consideration. The Korean church is being inevitably confronted with cultural-theological confusion owing to its introducing of such new elements into its worship. It is right time that Korean church should consider carefully what is the correct and appropriate way to exercise church music for worship revitalization. More than anything else, well prepared professional church music experts are required now.
Firstly, this study deals with such subjects as the definition of music ministry, the biblical background of music ministry and the history of music ministry. These subjects help us to understand more correctly and clearly what is music ministry. To supplement such an insufficient understanding, this chapter concentrates its focus on the concept of music ministry.
Secondly, music ministry can be effective in the case of team ministry are studied. Modern society is characterized as the society of specialization. Such a social trend inevitably compels Korean church to develop the new paradigm of its ministry, that is, team ministry. Team ministry can be defined as a cooperation of various professional experts for the effectiveness of the church ministry. Music ministry is the important part of team ministry which constitute the various professional experts team ministry. Thus, it is obvious that the effective music ministry is also available within the framework of team ministry.
Thirdly, music ministry should be accomplished by the well-qualified expert, externally and internally. External qualification implies the objective one, which is acquired by taking courses in the authorized theological institutes such as seminary, theological college and university. This study selects three major theological universities in Korea and compares their curriculum for the music ministry training course. It is is also discussed the internal qualification and the practical function of music ministry in the church.
Worship revitalization is defined as the recovery of its essence. Accordingly, this study concentrates on defining the meaning and essence of the worship as its first subject, and proceeds to the importance of the music in the church worship by emphasizing the relationship between worship and music. Then, this study discusses the function and role of the music in the worship. Finally, it investigates worship revitalization from the point of music ministry.
The last part of this study is investigated for the worship revitalization and music ministry from the practical point of view. The first part of this is assigned to the worship planning and its execution. Above all, it is necessary to organize worship committee, which makes plans for the effective worship, evaluates its executions and supplements its insufficiency. Such an activity is essential for the worship revitalization. It is important for music minister to take a stand in the same direction and intention as the worship committee has planned. The second part is examined to execution of worship songs. Congregational song is a very important and essential element for worship revitalization. This part discusses how the form of congregational songs have been changed and how congregational songs have been developed in history. It proceeds to examine the meaning of the congregational songs in the church, and then it attempts to point out which problems Korean congregational songs have and which one is the right way to remove the problems and to bring about the revitalization to the congregational songs.
Church choir is a significant area in which music ministry is effectively exercised. This part surveys the history of church choir and clarifies the significance of the church choir as an essential organization for music ministry. Then, it attempts to find out the right way for the revitalization of the church choir.
In conclusion, to make music ministry more effective and successful, we have to train qualified persons, institutionalize music ministry and implement team ministry as a new paradigm of church ministry. The criterion to evaluate the effectiveness of music ministry and the accomplishment of worship revitalization is how active is the congregation in their participation in worship and music program. Music minister is required to find out the problems of Korean church music and to supplement its insufficiency by his studying and researching without cease.