An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

Doerkson (2004), the prolific worship music producer and performer, thereforesuggests we consciously seek out music which is “A Journey into the Father‟s heart.”He explains the inspiration for one of his song is the parable of the prodigal son andthat his worship music is intended to bring the message of hope to those who areseeking a better life. The healing process may have started when the prodigal sondecided to return to his father‟s house and continued when the father arranged acelebration with music as a welcome and forgiveness gesture. Musicians, hymnologistsor song writers, he suggests, are inspired by a spiritual force that represents the heart ofGod. Although such inspiration is not something that can be empirically researchedthe music observed in both churches could be viewed in the way Doerkson suggests.Musicians were dedicated and committed to the worship music that they played. In theservices observed in both churches music for worship is prominent as backgroundmusic as well as a fore-grounded performance in which some or all the congregationtakes part.Pullar (1988) in her Penguin guide to spiritual healing for lay people, which attempts totake an objective stance, gives an account of how singing (background music)contributes to the healing process, as in the following instance: ‗The healer stirredround in the patient‘s mouth and lifted the offending tooth as though it was lying thereloose and waiting to be removed. Next he massaged the swollen glands in the patient‘sthroat and made him sit back with his mouth wide open while he began to sing to himsoftly‘. Stacy et al (2002), as health educators, uphold the claim that singing specificallyhas health-giving properties. The founder of the Healing Music Organisation inCalifornia, Amitra Cottrell (2005) claims she was healed from cancer through singing283