Taize: Music from the Heart

The Taize Community is a family of brothers dedicated to Christian community both through example and practice. They have been active in Europe for the last sixty years or so, most of the time from their facility at Taize, France. For decades, they have brought young people to the site to spend a week practicing the essence and simplicity of their faith. The brothers have touched the hearts and minds of thousands and their approach to worship has spread around the world. A week at Taize focuses on prayer and meditation, Bible study, the sacraments, and silence. And it is a retreat into community.

I discovered Taize by accident while searching for alternatives to what the industry calls contemporary Christian music (CCM). While some may accept that music for worship, I do not, especially now that it has "matured" into a major profit center for the same folks who bring us the delightful strains of gangsta rap and hip hop. Music that moves into mass market mediocrity is never far from the lowest common denominator of schlock. My friends, there is schlock in almost all music today, sadly, much of it resides in CCM. Personally, I think we should reserve the best for worship.

All of us know what CCM from Nashville/Hollywood sounds like. Here is the CCM of Taize:



I'll leave it for you to decide, and I'll respect your decision. For me it is Taize in all its simplicity. Music filled with wonder. Music filled with worship.