Barabbas Road Church in San Diego Music Distinctive

The music at Barabbas Road church in San Diego is much different from mainstream churches in America. The reason for the uniqueness of the music is not just to be different from everyone else, but to glorify God with Bible-centered worship. What makes the music at Barabbas so different is that it has purpose and meaning behind it. The purpose and meaning behind the music goes along with the mission of Barabbas Road Church, to make “disciple making” disciples through the personal investment of our lives.

An important distinction about the music at Barabbas is that the lyrics of the songs are theologically sound and rich. This is important because the music portion of the service is not a separate entity from the preaching of the Word of God. Therefore, the theology of songs sung during a Sunday worship service at Barabbas will match the theology of the preaching at Barabbas. This is important because the music prepares the hearts of the congregation to hear the Word of God. The point is to not only preach the Word of God but to sing the Word.

To make sure that the congregation is protected from bad theology and properly cared for, the music ministry at Barabbas is overseen by an elder of the church. Music is a powerful medium as it can evoke the soul. Therefore, it is important that an Elder keeps careful watch of the music that is being played at Barabbas.

If the mission of Barabbas is to make disciples, then an important goal of the music at the church is for everyone to participate. Everyone has different musical backgrounds and different types of singing voices, so the church singing as a body can present challenges. To help unite the congregation, songs are carefully and prayerfully chosen by the Elders to help create an avenue for the congregation to sing as one body. The approach is for the church to sing along together and encourage one another, teach one another, admonish one another and lift each other up singing praises to God (Colossians 3:16). Visitors are also welcomed and highly encouraged to worship with the rest of the congregation as one and sing as loud as possible.

Barabbas Road Church in San Diego defines the music and singing of a Sunday worship service as an offering to God. The band that plays the music is a part of the congregation and is serving the church as an offering to God. There is no stage for the band because the band is not putting on a show,but is worshipping God with the rest of the congregation. Everything is designed with the purpose of the whole church singing together as one and building each other up in Christ.