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

The passage cited from Respondent 10 (COGIC)- a member of the Praise and Worshipteam – in section 6.3 above also illustrates and concurs with Respondent 5 from URCthat those who have a musical or singing role in the church and are then excluded fromparticipating in worship music, can become depressed and feel useless. WhenRespondent 5 from URC was re-instated to play music and sing, her depression seem tobe healed. When respondent 10 from COGIG was healed and returned to singing shefelt better about herself and her belief in divine healing. The role of music for themappears to be an important part of their existence. They believe that where they cannotpreach or pray they make a valuable contribution to worship and healing throughmusic.9.6 ConclusionThe chapter has discussed the importance of music in worship which surroundsspiritual healing and as a therapeutic tool in itself. The interrogation of the sociological,clinical, theological and popular religious discourses shows that they all presentnarratives that music can get people „in the mood‟ to be receptive and accept healing indifferent environments and for different conditions. Some of these conditions areanxiety, depression and other physical illnesses. To say this is not to confirm the bolderclaims about therapeutic outcomes for any particular kind of music because, as forprayer, there are many obstacles to controlled experiments or observation of the actualeffect of music on individuals during worship and healing services. Music was acommon factor in all the worship and healing services observed. When there were noactual musical instruments, the participants used their voices in singing hymns whichproduced musical sounds. Although not tested in rigorously controlled double-blind304