An Interview with Division of Music Graduate Scott Aniol
by Ed Dunbar
Scott Aniol (BMus, 2003) has served the Lord in various ministries. Recently he finished a book on aesthetics in
worship and has started Religious Affections Ministries. Below is an interview recently conducted with Scott.
What was your earliest music training?
I remember singing at a very early age. I would frequently sing at the top of my lungs in the car along with Ann Gibbs, and I sang duets with my mom in church as early as 8 years old. I began formal piano lessons in second grade, trombone lessons in fifth grade, and voice lessons in seventh grade (before my voice changed!).
When did you trust Christ as your Savior?
I grew up in a Christian environment and made a profession of faith when I was four. However, looking back, I realize that I really didn’t understand the Gospel and “prayed a prayer” just to please my parents. During my junior high years I began to recognize that I didn’t have any true love for God or desire to serve Him. Outwardly I was good, but it was just to please people. When I was 13, the Holy Spirit effectually worked in my heart and I was converted. From that point, my love for Christ and desire to follow His will fueled my life.
What was your principal instrument at BJU, and how did you decide on that instrument?
My principal instrument was voice. I have always loved to sing and wanted to continue the training that I had begun in junior high. I benefited greatly from the instruction I received from Dr. David Parker while at BJU. My training not only improved my personal singing for use in God’s service—it has also been invaluable in directing amateur choirs.
You were a church music major. How did you choose that as a major?
Because I have always loved theology and the preaching of God’s Word and I knew the Lord wanted me to serve in some capacity in local church ministry, I actually originally registered as a Bible major with a minor in music. I planned to serve in the capacity of music pastor in a church, but I wanted to be sure I had a solid theological foundation as well. However, just before I went to BJU, my music pastor convinced me that I could receive more music training and just as much Bible instruction if I majored in church music. So that’s what I did. While studying music, I took as electives all the theology classes that I could, including Greek and ministerial classes. This plan worked very well. I received invaluable education in music theology, music history, hymnology and church music administration in the Division of Music as well as a great foundation in theology and pastoral ministry in the School of Religion. I have served as an associate pastor in a local church for the last five years, and I have been so thankful for the excellent education at BJU in these combined fields.
How have you been serving the Lord since you graduated from BJU?
Immediately after graduating from BJU, I began serving as associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Rockford, Ill. My primary focus there was the worship and music ministry, but I also had wonderful pastoral opportunities, including counseling, teaching and preaching an exegetical series through the book of Acts on Sunday evenings, which I finished this past May. I thoroughly enjoyed serving at First Baptist. I also had opportunity to pursue graduate studies at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, Central Baptist Theological Seminary and Concordia University in River Forest (choral conducting and church music history), and I completed a master’s degree in musicology at Northern Illinois University. I have also had opportunity to speak on music and worship in various churches and conferences, and my wife and I helped teach at two music conferences in Australia.
Your new book, Worship in Song, deals with an important but often controversial topic: aesthetics in worship, especially music that pleases God. What piqued your interest in the topic, and how has your book been received?
I have been concerned for some time with music philosophy, so I sought to solidify my understanding and convictions regarding music and its role in the church, especially while at BJU. I have been particularly interested in musical meaning, which is why I focused on musical aesthetics and semiology in my program at Northern Illinois University. I wrote my master’s thesis on a Christian Philosophy of Aesthetics, which was invaluable for me in this regard.
That educational emphasis, along with various articles, sermons and lectures presented in my own local church and in other churches and conferences, combined to form the foundation for this book (soon to be published by BMH Books). My hope is that it will serve the church in helping pastors and other Christians apply biblical principles to their choices of music in all of life and in the church. The manuscript has been sent to many pastors, theologians and musicians, and thus far I have received very positive comments about it.
Are there supplementary materials available for Sunday school classes, group discussions, etc.?
There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter, which will aid in teaching contexts. We have also begun to develop a website (www.worshipinsongbook.com) where we will continue to add other supplemental resources, such as study guides, additional articles, audio, etc.
You have a new ministry which will present ways that individuals and churches can “think biblically about music.” Why this kind of ministry, and why now? What brought you to this ministry and what are your long-term goals?
For over 50 years conservatives have been fighting against the onslaught of entertainment and pop music in the church. Godly men rose to the challenge, authoring books, holding seminars and speaking in churches about Christian music. In many circles this entertainment philosophy of worship has been held at bay, and we can praise the Lord for that.
But there is now a whole new generation of professing Christians who are struggling with some of the same questions and facing new challenges. It is for these reasons that I am beginning Religious Affections Ministries (www.religiousaffectionsministries.org). I would like to continue where those godly men left off and maintain the defense of conservative worship in our churches.
Religious Affections Ministries is a ministry of helping local churches think biblically through the issues of worship, music and culture. I will spend time studying, writing, speaking in churches, holding conferences and offering other services—all in order to help believers think rightly on these topics. As I’ve spoken to various pastors around the country over the past several months, they agree that there is a need for such a ministry and are excited about the possibilities.
I will be spending a lot of time researching and writing in the realm of worship and music philosophy in order to provide literature and curriculum and a video series in the areas of Christian aesthetics, culture and general music philosophy. I have a website where I regularly post articles on these topics. I am also scheduling meetings in various churches, whether just for the weekend or for a full weeklong meeting, as well as holding conferences on music and worship.
Then I want to take those philosophical resources to the next step and try to see them put into practice in local churches, especially average small churches. I will try to do this by providing regular Church Music Reviews of choral and instrumental music, providing resources for pastors and church music directors to help them plan their services to best help their congregations focus on worship, and also providing church music consultation—especially for small churches with no full-time music director. I will also try to provide regular sacred recording reviews to help families build God-pleasing music libraries.
I am currently raising financial support from like-minded churches and individuals who see this kind of ministry as important.
How can pastors or music directors contact you to schedule a meeting?
They can visit my website (www.religiousaffectionsministries.org) and click on the “Contact” link.