A Cambridge God Adventure* 30) Oh, the music!

(*please skip if you have not been following this story).  Tragically, the expression 'worship wars' has emerged in recent years when churches have suffered conflict between traditional hymn singing with organ and contemporary songs with band (and drums!)  Many churches have gone through times of transition and so did we.

To say that the church's current music was traditional is a massive understatement.  One of the last Baptist churches in Britain to sing chants for both services, singing was led by a small elderly choir that sat behind the central pulpit and organ console. My ministerial predecessor, Arthur Jestice, was a gifted musician and he lavished care on the organ, finding extra pipes from dying organs to augment its rich tones. Services began with introits and contained anthems with the organ sedately accompanying hymns - a pattern unchanged from when I sat in the pews as a student in the 1960's.   And why should it need to change? many older members argued.

However, the declining choir and ageing organist had put as the opening request on our very first prayer agenda: a new church organist.  We all knew this was essential. But newcomers were hoping for greater music variety as contemporary music made impact in many churches across the country. As one outspoken visitor said to me: 'Oh the music! Something must be done, Michael!'

And, as sometimes happens in the Christian family, something surprising was done!  Andrew, one of my young people at my former church in Blackburn won a place at Magdalene College to begin in October 1981. In retirement his parents had moved to Cambridge in 1980. Andrew's musical gifts were evident in Blackburn, playing the organ for congregational worship, but now before he began as a full-time student he offered himself to work full-time in the church.  Was this an answer to prayer? You bet.