Musicking the Structure of Deeper Christian Life Ministries

Abstract

From the inception of Christianity, music has been prominent and a powerful bedrock of its religious worship. The African Church has long grappled with questions and issues surrounding culture and music. Within African Pentecostalism, scholars have examined the dynamic interplay between indigenous musical traditions, global Christian music trends, and local cultural contexts. In the case of DCLM, the stylistic features, aesthetic values, and the musical culture of the church are yet to be fully explored. This paper explores the concept of "musicking" within the organizational structure of Deeper Christian Life Ministries (DCLM) in Lagos State, Nigeria. Through ethnographic research and analysis, the study investigates how music functions as a dynamic force in shaping the religious experience and social dynamics within DCLM. Drawing upon fieldwork conducted within five purposively selected DCLM congregations in Lagos State, it examines the birthing of DCLM music ministry, doctrine, and its functionality in fostering social cohesion. Using the theory of sound structure, data were gathered by interviews, and related literature, analyzing the roles of musicians, choir directors, and congregants in shaping musical performances, as well as investigating the relationship between sound and social structure within the musical culture of Deeper Christian Life Ministries (DCLM) in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study revealed that sound plays a crucial role in fostering social cohesion and interpersonal relationships within DCLM congregations. There is a nuanced understanding of how sound shapes the lived experiences of DCLM members and contemporary Nigerian Pentecostalism.