From Hymns to Hits: A Conversation with Adebola Adedayo

The Church Music Evolution!

Via: David Oletu (DCM)

When we have achieved some level of greatness, there could be a slim tendency to get over-familiar with God and not bother to enquire. 

That’s quite a dangerous thing to do.

The yardstick for ascertaining if a song style or music genre is fit for the church is not because it sounds ‘calm’ or ‘sanctimonious’.

Any of these genres can be done in the church so far; it comes from a heart that is consecrated to God and points men to Jesus. 

Viewing music from a rigid religious lens could be quite unfair and insincere because the music of a different ‘cultural group’ can sound strange to what we are naturally used to.  

The evolving landscape of Nigerian church music has led to a fusion of secular styles and sacred sounds,

sparking controversies among worship leaders and congregants alike.

As we navigate this new terrain, we’re joined by Adebola Adedayo, a seasoned Christian music director and producer,

who will offer his perspective on the intersection of creativity and worship and explore ways to harness the power of music to edify.

Ephesians 5:19 KJV

[19] speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

https://bible.com/bible/1/eph.5.19.KJV

From Hymns to Hits: A Conversation with Adebola Adedayo

DCM: Can we meet you? (Tell us about you and your music-directing journey).

BOLA: Hi everyone, I am Adebola David Adedayo, a growing believer in Christ, a geomatics engineer/surveyor, and a prolific music director.

I have actively served in the music ministry since childhood and have been privileged to lead a few music teams. 

The first time I got the opportunity to lead a music team was at my secondary school in 2014.

Then, getting into the university,

I became the assistant music director of the Foursquare Students’ Fellowship UNILORIN in my 200 level and later became the fellowship’s music director in my 300 level.

A higher calling came, and I got appointed as the Music Director of the National Fellowship of Foursquare Students.

This period was such a refining one for me as it built my music and leadership skills. 

Leading a choir or music team as a student is really not an easy task.

I had to function in all of those while also trying to bag a bachelor’s degree in surveying and geo-informatics.

God has helped me facilitate a few music training sessions and work on a good number of music recording projects.

Currently, I worship and serve at the Foursquare Gospel Church VGC, Lagos.

I am what I am today by the grace and mercy of God and the community of people God has placed around me.

Let me seize this opportunity to specially appreciate and honour my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adedayo.

They have indeed played a major role in my music journey.

I am also grateful to God for bringing people like Mr. Paul Okeowo, Tofunmi Adewale, Folusho Ajala,

Peace Abalaka, Daniel Asah, Dr. AnjolaJesu, and Emmanuel Olamoyegun my way, who have also engineered me into greatness.

From Hymns to Hits: A Conversation with Adebola Adedayo

DCM: What is your definition of church music? 

BOLA: I am not so big on attaching ‘tags’ to creative expressions like music because I believe it has a way of restricting its true essence.

Regardless, I’d say church music is a form of music done with the sole purpose of worshipping God and edifying men.

Therefore, church music cannot be limited to a musical expression made within the four walls of a church. No! 

This is because you and I can also express our worship of God in musical form while cooking or somewhere else outside a physical church building. 

Remember Paul and Silas? They sang praises to God in prison.

Nevertheless, I strongly believe that the highlight of “church music” is its sacredness. This sacredness must be preserved. 

DCM: What is the essence of music in the church?

BOLA: Music plays a significant role in both “the immediate gathering / fellowship of believers” and “the body of Christ as a whole.”

So, in an immediate gathering of believers, just like I mentioned earlier, music serves as a form of worship to God and edification of the church. 

In Paul’s epistle to the church at Ephesus,

we see him admonishing them to speak to themselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19).

Let’s travel back in time a bit.

The ancient Hebrews expressed praise, gratitude, and prayer to God using Psalms.

We see other cases in the Bible where people like Moses, Miriam, and the Levites sang and used musical instruments to praise and adore God.

All of these show the essence of music in the church.

From Hymns to Hits: A Conversation with Adebola Adedayo

DCM: Many choir members, particularly the younger ones, now bring in some secular style of music to the church.

This seems to have posed some controversies that they no longer edify but entertain. What do you have to say about this? 

BOLA: This is quite an interesting question.

Let me set the foundation by saying that light has no business with darkness.

The Bible says, “Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world.” Worldly music/slang has no place in the church.

However, a lot of people (especially in this part of the world) do not exactly have a well-rounded knowledge about music and tend to view ‘music’ from a religious or cultural lens. 

There is something called “Genres of Music,”

and some of the genres of music we have are rock music, electronic music, classical music, folk music, country music, and reggae.

These genres are classified according to the peculiarity of their origin, rhythm, and production techniques. 

The yardstick for ascertaining if a song style or music genre is fit for the church is not because it sounds ‘calm’ or ‘sanctimonious’.

Any of these genres can be done in the church so far; it comes from a heart that is consecrated to God and points men to Jesus. 

Viewing music from a rigid religious lens could be quite unfair and insincere because the music of a different ‘cultural group’ can sound strange to what we are naturally used to. 

Quick example: the major style of music done by the people of Jamaica is reggae.

Bob Marley also did songs in the reggae style/genre, and those songs did not point men to Jesus, nor were they curated for edification purposes. 

The reason Bob Marley created a niche for himself with reggae music was because of the country he grew up in, Jamaica.

Now, because I am a Nigerian and I am used to traditional folk music, naturally, if I hear Reggae for the first time, it will sound weird and somewhat abominable,

but the truth is that this should not make me give a ruling or judgement of Reggae style being bad in itself, just because I have seen Bob pushing his songs using Reggae.

No!

It does not sound pleasing to me because it is not the kind of music I am used to.

This scenario is what is playing out in our day,

as a lot of Christians believe that whenever they hear a “style of music” that they are not used to,

or that has been utilised by a worldly musician, then that music is abominable.

However, this does not mean we can outrightly copy things or get inspiration from worldly musicians to fuse them into “church music.”

It is a big no!

To be honest, this kind of act cannot bring glory to the name of God,

and this is why a number of people feel like music ministers today are just focused on entertainment and not necessarily edification. 

Yes, there are a few misdeeds here and there by some gospel musicians, although it doesn’t mean there are people who are not also doing things the right way. 

Oh, there are! 

And just like how God told Elijah that He still has a remnant of 7,000 who have not bowed unto Baal, I strongly believe that God has remnants even in our day and time.

I will conclude by saying that music folks rooted in the church should be fed accurately and grounded in the Word,

so that they can discern accurately and are not enticed to copy or get inspiration from worldly musicians before they can praise or worship God. 

We have an endless fountain!

The Holy Spirit is the best teacher.

He gives the best of ideas and concepts; I am saying this from personal experience.

There is really no need to blend in worldly slang or catchphrases in praise / worship sessions when we (music ministers) can stay with God and receive abundantly from Him.

From Hymns to Hits: A Conversation with Adebola Adedayo

DCM: Do you think gospel singers are not doing well enough in their style of music to fascinate our younger choir?

BOLA: Well, I am deeply convinced that a lot of people are getting blessed by the gospel singers we have in our generation. 

We all might not relate well to the same kind of “style” or music pattern, but I believe that the majority of gospel singers in Nigeria are trying their best. 

Also, all ministers of the gospel are not exactly sent to everyone.

If you look at Apostle Paul’s ministerial life, as much as he had quite a wide coverage, you will notice that he was sent to the Gentiles. 

Peter was sent to the Jews.

This also applies to the music ministry.

No gospel singer should be under pressure of trying to fascinate people with their style.

Rather, enquire from God about what He will have you do per time, and face it head-on!

DCM: What should be the music ministers’ focus in their choice of songs for ministry?

BOLA: When it comes to the choice of songs to minister, I am very big on God’s leading.

It will also depend on how God reveals His intention at that time. 

For some people, they might receive the whole song they are to minister from God.

For others, God might just reveal a theme or focus (sometimes one’s church even has a theme for the month),

and the music minister will have to draw out a list of songs focused on that theme.

Whatever the case is, just ensure you follow God’s lead.

DCM: Aside from the skills, what else should the music ministers be hungry for to really minister to the congregation beyond just catching attention with their nice voices, trendy beats, good sounds, etc.? 

BOLA: Beyond skills, when you are to minister at any time, you should enquire from God about what He wants you to do because He commissioned you and sent you. 

When we have achieved some level of greatness, there could be a slim tendency to get over-familiar with God and not bother to enquire. 

That’s quite a dangerous thing to do.

For every opportunity you get to minister to God’s people, far above your enthusiasm or passion, God always has an agenda.

He knows the needs of His creature.

Even if there are sick people to be healed, He is the one doing the work of healing and restoration; we are just mere vessels.

Enquire from God in the place of prayer. 

Music ministers must develop a lifestyle of praying consistently. As you’re doing vocal warm-ups every time, try to pray too!

I will always say that the music ministry is beyond just doing music.

David was skilled—very skilled—but also anointed. We need to create that balance between the skill and the anointing.

DCM: Speaking on ‘Music Ministers’. Are music ministers just the lead worship vocalists? Who are the music ministers? 

BOLA: Music ministers are not just the people who lead worship sessions or special choir ministrations. 

Everyone in the music ministry is a music minister. Even down to the person who plays the tambourine.

It’s just like a military scenario: on the battlefield, we have riflemen, snipers, combat engineers, and medics.

All of these people play different roles, but in the military, they are all still generally referred to as soldiers. 

The same applies to the music ministry.

Not everyone will lead a song or be at the front line.

This should not tamper with your effectiveness. We all have to work together to herald the gospel of Christ through music.

DCM: On a lighter note, you are an instrumentalist.

So, on behalf of all the music directors in the world, please help us address the attitude of some of your fellow instrumentalists who don’t pay their church offerings,

whose minds are only on their instruments throughout church service, and who don’t dress in the choir uniform. (laughs)

BOLA: Lol. Don’t do this.

So, speaking of offering, I know this is not a new thing.

A lot of people have spoken about this and even joked about it.

Musicians, please pay offering; they said I should beg you. That’s on a lighter note though.

A few years back, I had a little conversation with the Holy Spirit,

and He made me realise that sometimes we just permutate within ourselves and choose what we will offer as service to God,

forgetting sometimes that God actually desires our all.

Because I am a ‘dedicated’ musician who plays the piano in my church, this does not mean that my service as a musician will suffice for my entire service to God. 

Giving to God and supporting His work financially is also a form of service. 

The person who sweeps the church is also rendering service to God.

All the workers in a local assembly are rendering service to God. 

Just imagine if all the workers now say that because we are serving in our respective capacities, there’s no need to give offerings in financial form; that will sound ridiculous.

As a musician, you should be eager to render service to God whenever the need arises.

Just like I mentioned earlier, the existence of a misdeed does not mean there aren’t people who are doing things rightly.

I have musician friends who give offerings during church services. 

More so, from another perspective, maybe the reason why some ‘musicians’ don’t give an offering is because they do not have… Just maybe.

From Hymns to Hits: A Conversation with Adebola Adedayo

DCM: Do you have any other thing(s) you wish to tell us?

BOLA: Beyond the accolades and criticism we pour on music ministers, we really should take time to intentionally pray for them.

We need the prayers!

DCM: Thank you for your time! 

BOLA: Yeahh. Big thank you for the opportunity!

More so, it’s quite a coincidence. This year makes it 10 years since I’ve been directing music.

DCM: Oh, wow! Perfect timing! 

You have really come a long way!

Congratulations to you!

Greater years ahead in ministry.

God has blessed you. As you have honoured God’s call in your life, nations will honour you. 

BOLA: Amen! We thank God!

Also Read: Me and My Big Mouth! – Diademng (thediademng.org)

From Hymns to Hits: A Conversation with Adebola Adedayo

DCM NOTES: Adebola Adedayo is a renowned and seasoned Christian musical director.