Perspectives — Paraguay
Every week, during chapel on Campus IBA (Instituto Biblíco Asunción, Paraguay), we dedicate some time to worshipping our God through music. Since many different theological traditions, with varied cultural roots, converge at our Bible institute, one would think that these differences would carry more weight than they actually do. Even so, the choruses play an important role in strengthening our unity as the people of God.
Community and unity
During chapel services, we sing many different styles: classical hymns, as well as contemporary songs with Latin American and Anglo-Saxon rhythms. This variety comes from the diversity within our student body, which actively participates in our musical interludes.
Of course, as an Anabaptist institute, we deeply value the community and unity in Christ. For this reason, congregational singing is not simply a “musical moment” during chapel service; it is a community act that shapes our identity.
When we sing, more than being an accompaniment to the band, we are seeking to adore our Lord with one voice.
It’s interesting how music can transcend barriers that sometimes theology, with its debates and formulations, is unable to cross as easily. This does not negate the importance of theology – on the contrary, it is vital to the health of the church – but we recognize that there are different interpretations of secondary topics within the evangelical world.
In the classroom, we can dialogue, debate and go deeper into those topics that highlight our differences. But in chapel, when we sing the core truths of our faith, we find common ground where the essence resounds louder than the secondary issues.
On many occasions, I have seen how students from churches with different styles and traditions lift their voices together with deep conviction. While they may not formulate certain doctrinal points in the same way, they are able to declare together, “Christ is Lord” or “We are the people of God.”
In those moments, music becomes a space where we can reaffirm our agreement, not on secondary issues, but on the central tenets of our faith.
Lord of the people
One key aspect of this experience has been choosing the songs we sing with intentionality. We try to include songs that lift up Jesus not only as our individual saviour but also as the saviour of the community. The lyrics speak of “us”, the church as a body, and walking in the light together. Lyrics like these help us develop a spirituality that is less private and more rooted in the community.
This is profoundly coherent with our Anabaptist heritage that understands faith as visibly following Christ in community.
At the same time, the songs of surrender and dedication to Jesus assume a unifying role. When the congregation sings words of surrender – “Take my life,” “I submit to you,” “I want to be faithful to you” – we become spiritually aligned.
We are not affirming our personal preferences or defending our own points of view; we are submitting to the Lordship of Christ together. This shared posture of humility before Jesus aligns us with the central truth that Jesus is Lord and we are each growing into his disciples.
I’ve also noticed that music creates collective memories. Years later, alumni who return to the campus tear up when they hear a song that we sang together in the chapel. They don’t only remember the melody; they also remember the time of study, deep friendships and encounters with God in community.
With all of this, I don’t mean to imply that music can’t also be a cause of division because often it is. However, with what we experience every week on Campus IBA, the music we make together that is consecrated to the Lord has the power to unite us.
And who know? Maybe it also has the power to formulate theology with a right heart.
Fernando Miranda serves as a current professor at Campus IBA, located in Mariano Roque Alonso, Paraguay. He is married to Miriam Sawatzky; they are parents to two children. In addition to his academic duties, Fernando Miranda coordinates and directs the worship times at IBA, especially the music.