About Us
CCM Newsletter
April 2nd, 2008
DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
I trust that each of you had a blessed Easter season. For those of us who plan Easter services, it came very early. But, it is good to know that we don't have to worry about such an early Easter anytime soon, as it will be 150 years before it comes again at this same time!
I am greatly encouraged as our web site is beginning to recapture our numbers from a year ago. As you might remember, our site was approaching 100,000 hits (pageviews) a month on a regular basis. But, after we had to reconfigure our site, web browsers had difficulty finding us and our numbers were cut almost 50%.
The good news, however, is that for the month of March (2008), we had nearly 80,000 hits. And the numbers are going in the right direction, as this is about a 30% increase over December of 2007. In March we were viewed in 152 countries, a record for us! We continue to pray that God will use our site to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ through the singing of great hymns, not just in the USA, but around the world.
Included with this Newsletter is a chart that attempts to capture the significance of singing hymns in contrast to other styles of music in the church. Our goal is to encourage you to sing the great hymns of the faith!
God's best to you, Paul
2007 WEBSITE REPORT
Source: Google Analytics
Total Countries Online in March 2008: 152: Up from 139 in February
One interesting note:
We mentioned last month that in Brazil, 25 cities were on our site during February. During March, the number increased to 39 cities.
The three largest states in the US viewing our website remain:
California, Texas and New York
During March, all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia viewed the website!
FINANCIAL NEWS
We need your help. We would like to record at least five more radio programs over the next six months. It costs about $1,000 to produce a new program and record the music/narration that accompanies the hymn. If you can help us with this project, let us know either by regular mail, e-mail, our website link - or feel free to call us toll-free. Thank you--and God bless you in advance!
PRAYER MEMO
I cannot overemphasize the significance of your prayers for the Center at this time. If you can, take a moment, right now, and ask the Lord to help us in these difficult days. God is good. May we trust Him for His guidance in the days ahead.
HYMN OF THE MONTH
Fairest Lord Jesus
Listen and sing with this familiar hymn on the website.
Fairest Lord Jesus
What Makes a Great Hymn?
Since we often refer to the "great hymns of the Faith" it is important to occasionally discuss some of the components of a great hymn.
- Great hymns take you to God. The words and music of a hymn prepare the mind (intellect) and spirit (emotion) of the singer to worship "the mighty Word." (From the hymn: "At the name of Jesus")
- The poetry of the hymn must be a vehicle for genuine thought and inspiration. It is the triumph of ideas that makes Christianity powerful. The words of a great hymn should help you to strengthen, and then articulate your understanding of theological issues.
- The model for great hymns is the Psalms, the hymnbook of Israel. In the Psalms we find expressed the heights and depths of human emotion. Yet, in every Psalm there is a focus, not on our humanity, but on God who lifts us up and enables us to live above our circumstances.
- Great hymns have enduring melodies and solid musical structure. The hymn's music should contribute to "bridging the gap" between our earthbound culture and our true heavenly calling. If a tune is boring, or the music is trivial, it cannot carry a powerful text. Great hymns must be transcendent; they have an eternal dimension.
If you do not have a copy of Great Hymns of the Faith: Volume 2
please order it today.
Track 1: Crown Him with Many Crowns
Track 2: Fairest Lord Jesus
Track 3: Make Me a Captive Lord
Track 4: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Track 5: Abide with Me
Track 6: Come Christians Join to Sing
Track 7: It is Well with My Soul
Track 8: He Leadeth Me
Track 9: My Jesus I Love Thee
Track 10: I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art
Track 11: May the Mind of Christ My Savior
Track 12: A Mighty Fortress
We are asking for a $12 donation for each CD. (There is a $3 shipping charge for one CD: $5 for two or more.) Order here
THIS MONTH'S ESSAY
Singing: Lessons Learned from the Early Church!
We have spent the last year looking at lessons learned form the teaching and practice of the early church. As we said on April 26, 2006, "the musical philosophy of those hardy saints was not abstract: it was built on the practical reality of the writings of the Old Testament and the teaching of the Apostles.
In our next series of articles we will look at the biblical principles found in Scripture that help to buttress our reasoning regarding music in the church. But, before we get to this exciting study, let's review some of the principles learned from the early church.
- Music was at the heart of worship. The teaching and example of the New Testament Church found music to be an essential element in worship.