This month, Senior Connector Jo Wetherall interviews Steve Bullock about how he experiences God in music.
- How does music influence your relationship with God?
Music allows me to connect with God at a deep level. When a song or lyric connects with my emotions and thoughts, its as though it becomes a prayer to God. Likewise, I find that the Holy Spirit may bring to mind songs or hymns and I find that they are just what I need to hear at that specific time. Music enhances my walk with God and my relationship would be weaker without it.
- How do you use music in your ministry?
Music has always been an important part of worship for me, from my choir boy days to leading different forms of worship, music helps express emotions and feelings which the written word may not. I’ve always had a keen interest in modern contemporary music and over the years have been able to use suitable tracks to use in different contexts to enable others to connect with God on a deep level. The advancement in computers and technology now allows me to focus in on specific songs or elements of songs and refocus them on worshipping our wonderful creative God, in a way that would have been out of reach for me in the past.
- Where have you seen music really influencing children or young people in their spiritual journey?
I’ve seen music both enhance and inhibit young people’s spiritual journey. Music is powerful and conveys many different perspectives and messages. I’ve seen young people get hooked on music which rather than helping them flourish has brought with it a load of unhelpful stuff also. However, when the music has been positive and has good messages and themes within it, it has helped them on their spiritual journey as they can remember scripture through it and be strengthened in their faith through listening and singing along with it. In church, youth groups and youth residentials I’ve seen this positive outworking of music occur.
- Do you have a real dream for where your music ministry could go / be used?
The church uses quite narrow genres at present for its worship and whilst I have a wide appreciation of genres, there are some (not just young people) who, like me, find that dance music enables them to worship God in a meaningful way that touches mind, body and soul. Therefore, I would love to see dance music being used further and already have sets prepared for dance worship sessions… As house music is a form of dance culture, does this bring a new meaning to ‘House Church’? Perhaps we could get people together in a club to explore?
News Hub
