Many church families of various denominations these days are having lively discussions about how their music ministries can be meaningful to their sometimes quite diverse congregations. Besides the obvious nuts-and-bolts of music production, there are deeper, spiritual issues. With this in mind, the Journal spoke with soloist for The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts. Ms. Foster has an outstanding musical background, which includes appearances as a soloist with world-class orchestras and with international opera companies. Her training and performing experience range from musical theater to jazz to avant-garde in addition to traditional classical music. She is presently featured on a new CD called Jubal-ation published by The Christian Science Publishing Society.
Is it possible to please everyone when the musical tastes within a given congregation might run all the way from Bach to techno-pop?
I've prayed about this question and tried to look at it from every angle. I've found lots to think about in Mary Baker Eddy's counsel in a By-Law in the Manual of The Mother Church. I don't, however, feel that Mrs. Eddy wrote this By-Law so that people could justify their opinions and musical tastes through various personal interpretations of it. That can be divisive.
