The Rhythm Divine

Pentecostal worship is often loud, emotional and ecstatic and our music this week reflects that with Hillsong, and the Christian City Church at Oxford Falls, rocking out. More traditional music for Pentecost is heard in the famous 9th century chant, 'Veni creator spiritus', and an orchestral adaptation of the hymn by Australian composer Ross Edwards.

Just over 100 years ago in 1906 a small African-American church in Los Angeles began holding prayer meetings that soon had people shouting out and speaking strange languages. It became known as the Azusa Street Revival and is considered the start of the modern Pentecostal movement.

Pentecostalism itself began to appear in the late 19th century and was a term of disrespect initially given by its enemies, but in the 1920s as the early denominations formed it began to be used with pride. Today the Assemblies of God is the largest Pentecostal denomination world-wide with about 50 million followers. And Hillsong, from the Hills district of Sydney, are one of the most successful Assemblies of God churches, with praise and worship music playing a big part in their appeal.

A lot of Pentecostal churches don't worship or sing in traditional ways, with hymns and church services, preferring instead to let the Holy Spirit show them the way. In fact, some won't play any music less than five years old, and many like the Christian City Church at Oxford Falls, have their own recording studios and rehearsal spaces to make sure the music is as fresh as it can be.

The Christian City Church in Australia is part of a worldwide network of independent churches, although with their belief in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues, they're firmly in the Pentecostal tradition. And that's a tradition that draws on the Book of Acts, Chapter 2, in the New Testament describing the disciples of Jesus at a prayer meeting on the day of Pentecost being visited by the Holy Spirit in the form of a rushing wind, tongues of fire over their heads and strange languages being uttered.

Pentecost means 50 days; in this case 50 days after Easter, and is considered the birthday of the Christian church. The Feast of Pentecost is celebrated this Sunday 11 May.

One of the most famous traditional hymns for Pentecost, sung in the style of Gregorian chant from the 9th century, is 'Veni creator spiritus'. It was adapted by the Australian composer Ross Edwards for his string octet 'Veni Creator Spiritus', Come, O Creator Spirit.

Further Information

Hillsong

Christian City Church, Oxford Falls

Monasterio de Santo Domingo de Silos

Ross Edwards - Homepage

Music

CD title: For All You've Done: Live Worship from Hillsong Church
Track title: For All You've Done
Artist: Darlene Zschech and Hillsong Worship Group
Composer: Reuben Morgan
CD details: Hillsong
URL: http://www.hillsong.com/music/

CD title: Here We Go
Track title: Our God Reigns
Artist: Nikki Fletcher and Christian City Church, Oxford Falls
Composer: Nikki Fletcher and Ryan Smith
CD details: Christian City Church, Oxford Falls
URL: http://www.ccc.org.au/cccw/default.asp?page=cccwAlbums

CD title: Canto Gregoriano
Track title: Veni spiritus sanctus
Artist: The Monks of the Benedictine Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos
CD details: EMI Classics 7243 5 65217 2 8
URL: http://www.abadiadesilos.es/bienven.htm

CD title: White Ghost Dancing
Track title: Veni Spiritus Sanctus
Artist: Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra/ Richard Mills
Composer: Ross Edwards
CD details: ABC Classics 476 227 0
URL: http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=356690

Presenter

Geoff Wood

Producer

Geoff Wood