I don’t know much music theory, but I dread every time a Gmaj7 appears on the score. It’s just a difficult chord to play, properly that is, with all four fingers, on all six strings. You can’t simply cheat with a G, nor G7, nor clip the chord with half the fingers and half the strings. Em7 sounds close, but not close enough for the ear to be pleased. But like all things that are reasonable and good, it is worth learning, and worth learning well.

So it is when it comes to music in the church, where melodies and harmonies are meant to be heard. I don’t mean in terms of instruments and vocals, though certainly hitting the right notes can be an advantage to any church choir and congregation. I mean in terms of relationships, where good music is meant to be heard. Playing the right chord at the right time can be very helpful. But some people- chords are hard to play.

What to do? Substitute a simple G? Cheat with an Em7? Or do as the Book says: ‘Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.’ ‘Every effort’ would mean not defaulting to the relational chords I know, but learning new finger placements, and putting myself out in order to accommodate the right chord. But is it worth it? If it brings pleasure to ear of God, and honours his name, that sort of answers the question.