Outer Rim Territories

The organ has been and remains the best instrument for leading congregational singing not because of some indelible character afforded it by God or our "pedestal placing." Rather, it is simply the best instrument for the job. With it, one person can adequately lead congregational singing, a unique kind of music. The organ has the highs and the lows which facilitates this leading of many people. It also is able to handle intoning, accompanying choirs, and instrumental music to cover movement (the other needs often present in Church music).Sure, other instruments can do a decent job or perhaps an equal job in ensemble. A symphony orchestra would probably do quite well. What's harder to come by, do you think? A few instruments may get things rolling, but probably won't "lead." Few instruments can be made to breathe like a congregation (and even the organ does not do this on its own). Voices do go well with voices, but it's hard to lead singing. Moving a mass of voices is a challenge, especially spread over a significant amount of space like a large sanctuary.The organ is still the best single acoustic instrument for the job, and arguably it retains the title against many ensembles and electronic/amplified options. That says nothing about preference, style or even theology... simply practicality. It's best suited to the sort of music that is native to the Church's culture, and thus it has also earned its association as a "churchly instrument." Thus while St. Cicelia is often seen dumping out her [pagan organ] pipes on the ground, in other art she is seen gathering them up again to press them into the service of the Church's song.And besides. The issue for us Americans isn't really whether or not we can afford it/afford not to have it. We can "afford" to do either, whether we will or not. Now if the question is whether or not to make due with something less than our best despite our "fatness," well that's entering the theological realm. For that, consider Martin Franzmann's sermon, "Theology is Doxology: Theology Must Sing."

Whew, did I strike a nerve? :) I'm with you, especially regarding the current situation of musical education. The likelihood of getting one trained musician to carry the church's song via organ is higher that getting even competent vocal leaders.Do you have a link for the Franzmann sermon? That'd be a nice follow-up to my previous abrasive status update.

:D I don't know if it's a nerve, but my instrument is much maligned by those who have the impression that some are convinced the "organ is the only instrument God likes." I'm an organist, and I've never said that. At the same time, the reasons to assert its primacy in church music still stand as they always have. And no, it's certainly not merely a matter of me promoting my own job security. If there is a shortage of trained organists, I'm a precious commodity. The franzmann sermon is in "Ha, ha among the trumpets." small book published by cph, and is usually on sale for 5 bucks or less on the "cheap deal desk" thing. Here's the most pertinent quote:(quote) Another argument might be called the "tin whistle" argument. Its essence is something like this: "after all, a man can make music on a tin whistle to the glory of God, and God will be pleased to hear it." True, true, true— if God has given him nothing but a tin whistle; but God has given us so infinitely much more. When He has given us all the instruments under heaven with which to sing His praises, then the tin whistle is no longer humility but a perverse sort of pride. (endquote)The cry that God is pleased even by mediocrity falls flat when we are capable of more than that. To cling to mediocrity, with all of its convenient excuses, rather than to put forth excellence (like the text of this sermon states, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you RICHLY...") is arrogance and stinginess. It's also very American or perhaps even "German Lutheran," but that of course does not mean it is Christian.