Traditions and innovations in the liturgical music of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo ni o) Lagos state

Abstract

The liturgy of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo ni o) Lagos State, Nigeria, is characterised by various worship activities such as prayer, reading of the bible, ringing of the bell, and singing, to mention few, and scholars have noted music to constitute a greater part of it. While some aspects of the church’s worship rites are considered rigid and fixed, modernisation and technology continue to redefine some of its religious practices, especially liturgical music. Much of the studies on the church focused on issues surrounding traditions, the liturgy, and musical practices. However, little is known about the recent changes and continuities that have attended the church's liturgy. This study seeks to deconstruct the existing tradition in the liturgical music of the C&S movement against the backdrop of newly introduced innovations. It further investigates agents of innovation and the attendant reactions of the members to the change. The theory that informs this study is transformation leadership. The researcher used incidental sampling to interview key church members in Lagos districts. In addition, participant observation was also employed. Data were subjected to content analysis. The study argues that despite newly introduced innovations, some of the old traditions in the liturgical music of the church are still practised and maintained.