As a newcomer in this space I want to say that I am glad to have the opportunity to be a part of the discussion.

I hope that my thoughts intersect yours in a way that will ultimately mean that both of us are enriched.

Music is such a key part of worship. It must be good. It must be something that everyone can be a part. The congregational singing is the primary way that the congregation participates in worship.

The music must be organic to the community that is gathered. If the music is not authentic to those in worship, they cannot find themselves within the song and therefore miss a key way in which to give themselves over to worshiping God.

Music is possibly the best part of worship for unlocking those rooms in our heart and soul that we keep protected and safe from others and from the Divine.

If the music that we sing or hear during worship can touch those places, then we have the best opportunity to come in contact with God and thus be changed and transformed.

Which after all is what we desire with an encounter with God -- to be changed.

PASTOR GALEN GOBEN

Foothill Christian Church

La Crescenta

At the birth of the Jewish nation, following the exodus from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel offered songs of praise to the Almighty. Ever since then, song has been an integral part of Judaism. King David, the great lyricist, penned the book of Psalms, which is comprised of song and praise. This book was subsequently incorporated into the Tanach (Old Testament), forever making song a central part of the Torah and Jewish teachings.

Throughout a long and often difficult history, our people have turned song as varied and wide-ranging as the very Jewish people themselves. The Ashkenazik European Jews emanated world-class cantorial repertoires that were sung by all the great vocalists of Europe. The Sephardic Middle Eastern and North African Jewish communities contributed great works of music as well, with some claiming that they are the originators of the popular Flamenco music.

Today, song is incorporated into the prayer services of virtually every Jewish congregation across the world. Whether it's ancient Jewish chanting or the music of modern-day Chabad reggae phenomenon Matisyahu (currently No. 28 on Billboard's top 100), if music is inspirational and helps people get closer to their religious roots, then it is important and should be encouraged.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center

In the Armenian Church, music is at the core of the religious worship experience; our entire liturgy is sung and chanted. The music of the church stems from the minds and hearts of individuals who have been touched by faith.

At our parish, it is not so important who is listening as much as who is singing. As an Orthodox Church with apostolic roots, it is important for me that our worship resonates in the ambience of the early church, where there was no choir and everyone would sing. Where participants ask not what am I getting out of the church, but what am I putting into to the collective experience? Many times, we even challenge our youth to create their own liturgy and the result is literally soul-stirring and even healing.

Over the course of the last century the liturgy of the Armenian Church has become overly ritualized. As a result, the role of most worshippers has diminished from participant to observer. Without proper context, what once were extreme reaches into the depths of the soul have effortlessly been lost as the fading relics of an ancient museum. Our biggest challenge as an institution is to provide context and meaning, otherwise our songs are empty mantra. Our music must be more than pleasure to the ears. It requires a contribution and participation from the congregant -- giving something back to the Maker.

FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church Youth

Ministries

FaithJam '06 sounds like a lot of fun, and has the joyful goal of encouraging appreciation of diverse cultures through music. In the Baha'i writings it's said that "the diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord," and that "singing and music are the spiritual food of the hearts and souls." Baha'is are encouraged to use music to uplift the listener.

Services and gatherings may include the beautiful chanting of prayers and songs, but this is never required at Baha'i meetings. There is no directive in Baha'i meetings to cater the music to the demographic of the audience. Music and the other arts naturally reflect the culture from which they arise. The feel of a meeting, including expressions of faith through music, will likely reflect the neighborhood. If the crowd is culturally or racially diversified, then the hope is that the music will reflect that diversity, and be enjoyed by all as a means of further uniting different people who share the same beliefs.

BARBARA CRAMER

Local Spiritual Assembly of the

Baha'is of Glendale

There are four parts to a typical worship experience in Unity Churches. Music is one of the four, and is equally important to the three other components -- prayer and/or meditation, the sermon (or, as we call it, the lesson), and people socializing with each other before and after the service.

We are blessed at Unity Church of the Valley with a music director who is totally professional and who arranges for some of the best musicians and singers in the Los Angeles area to perform for our congregation. In addition to guest musicians each Sunday, there are also at least four congregational songs during each service. Our music director also plays piano and sings and works with a chorus called the Unity Singers.

The music at our church is very eclectic, from old hymns to modern music that tends to inspire and uplift the congregants. Our members are tolerant and understanding enough to realize that not all musical selections will fit everyone's taste -- and they often appreciate certain kinds of music for the simple reason that others may like it very much. All in all, I could not hope for a better musical program for a church than the one we have and I thank God for the talent that we get to enjoy every Sunday.

THE REV. THOMAS E.

WITHERSPOON

Unity Church of the Valley

La Crescenta

Worship music is very important to us because in Scripture God tells us it is very important to Him. We are told to: "Sing to God," "Sing praises to the Lord" and "Sing for joy in the Lord." We are exhorted to declare His lovingkindness "with resounding music."

It is often challenging to unite people of different ages and musical preferences in heart-felt worship.

But unite we must. We can only sing one song in one style at a time, and God wants us to sing from the heart together. We avoid conflicts when each of us personally applies Jesus' teaching about worship.

Jesus didn't argue with the woman at the well about the minute details of worship -- this place or that place (or in our context, this style or that style). Instead, He explained the two elements that are important to God: "true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers." (John 4:23)

Worship in spirit involves an attitude of love for God when we worship. Worship in truth involves lyrics that are biblical and meaningful. When we worship we try to remember that God is the audience to be pleased, not us.

PASTOR JON BARTA

Valley Baptist Church

Burbank