The French are famous for their laissez faire attitudes. While it's not fair to generalize an entire nation, the phrase laissez faire is, after all, French. It means "let it to be" or let it be what it is. Close in idea is the equally French "Chacon son goût." That is, each to his own taste. Or in our vernacular: "There's no accounting for taste." There is truth there. In politics. In food. In music.

It is also true that tastes are affected by what we expose ourselves to. And that tastes can (and do!) change. Those of us that need to...ahem...implement changes in our eating habits are often admonished, "It's not a diet; it's a lifestyle change." What they're really saying is that we need to change our tastes so that we actually want what is better for us. It is possible. Or so they tell me....

So these opening paragraphs amount to the age old question: Nature or nuture? The answer is, of course, "Yes." As a music pastor I often write articles, counsel, and preach on musical lifestyle change—nurture, if you will. I whine about the influence of media; I bluster about the Christian's acquiescence to pop culture; I rail on worldliness in our Christianity. But another part of an under-shepherd's job is to minister to his sheep—where they are, as they are—to understand and accept that God made us with different personalities, interests, and tastes—nature. Chacon son goût.

In my music ministry, it appears to me that I have three options in regards to personal taste. Remember that I am referring to only Scripturally acceptable music. I may adopt the philosophy of exclusivism, fragmentation, or inclusivism.

The musical exclusivist limits his influence and outreach to those who already have (or are willing to develop) his personal tastes in music. Folks are told explicitly or tacitly that they need to either drink the musical Kool-aid or worship elsewhere. Because, like French politics, there are myriad musical political parties, these churches generally have only four or five families. Any more than that and we would have to learn to live graciously with one another. No, no. It's much easier to limit my scope of responsibility to only those who specifically enjoy what I enjoy. I must confess that I often dream of such a cushy job! But the LORD has never led me to work for a pastor that would tolerate that kind of self indulgent isolationism.

We are all familiar with musical fragmentation. Sometimes it presents itself as target-specific services. Churches will have a "traditional" service and later a "contemporary service." Sometimes fragmentation can appear as para-church organizations: youth groups that meet during the "adult" church services with their own liturgy, tone, and music; adult classes that evolve into essentially a church-within-a-church; college groups that have their own separate services. Though I recognize the different physical, spiritual and emotional needs of different ages, even a choir program can promote fragmentation within the body of Christ. When the youth choir sings exclusively music that is completely foreign to the adult choir (youth tends toward the novel), when the senior choir sings exclusively its own music (seniors tend toward nostalgia), when the children's choir sings exclusively music that is never used anywhere else in the ministry (usually because adults would feel silly singing such silly songs)—fragmentation may be taking place. This division undercuts the very process that God is using to teach us to esteem others better than ourselves.

"Plenty good room in my Father's Kingdom." So goes the old spiritual. This is also true in the area of Christian music. Within the bounds of what Scripture defines and demonstrates as acceptable Christian music, there is some latitude for personal taste. At our family table, my wife enjoys mushrooms. I generally don't eat fungi. I do like Asian stir fry concoctions, but my children would rather eat macaroni and cheese. For every meal! As a family we must defer to one another. If our church is going to live together in Christian love and unity as a family, we must accept that not every musical presentation will be our personal favorite. Is there not room at our musical banquet table to include nutritious hymns, spicy spirituals, savory gospel songs, sweet folk music, and even whipped cream choruses?

Jesus has a table spread
Where the saints of God are fed,
He invites His chosen people, "Come and dine."

There is plenty good room at our musical smorgasbord. Chacon son goût! So choose your seat and sit down.

David Stertzbach II, B.A., M.Mus.
Music Pastor