"CONGREGATIONAL SINGING"
INTRODUCTION
- In his web log, Ray Pritchard asked: "Whatever happened to
congregational singing?"...
- In visiting many (denominational) churches, he often found the
practice lacking altogether
- In some churches that had it, he found the singing lackluster
- He offered some reasons why such may be the case...
- Song leader chooses songs no one knows
- Style issues confuses people (Fanny Crosby vs. Hillsong)
- Architecture not always conducive to singing
- Not enough people (e.g., 70 in a building that seats 500)
- Too many new songs presented too fast
- Wooden worship leader
- Musical instruments so loud that singing is overpowered
- Songs with little sense of order or progression or theme
- Some congregations seem to not expect members to sing
- Choirs and orchestras to do their singing for them
- Lack of spiritual zeal
- Preachers and other leaders don't sing
- Entertainment culture leads us to expect to be entertained
- We have lost the theological truth that God is to be praised in
the singing of His people
- In churches of Christ, congregational singing has been held as a
matter of principle...
- In opposition to instrumental music and choirs
- Yet some churches today are getting away from congregation singing
- In many churches that have it, the singing seems half-hearted at
best
["Whatever happened to congregational singing?" is a question some may
do well to ask themselves. In seeking to ensure congregational singing
its proper place in our worship, we first review...]
- THE BASIS FOR CONGREGATIONAL SINGING
- THERE IS BIBLICAL PRECEPT...
- The Messianic age to be a time of singing praise - Isa 12:1-6
- Christians were commanded to sing to one another - Ep 5:19; Co
3:16
-- Prophet and apostle make it clear that we are to sing praises
- THERE IS BIBLICAL PRACTICE...
- Jesus and His apostles sang a hymn following the Last Supper
- Mt 26:30
- Heavenly beings and the sainted dead fill heaven with their
praise - Re 5:9-14; 7:9-12
-- If such deemed it proper to join together in the praise of God,
shouldn't we?
- THERE IS BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE...
- One purpose of singing is to praise the Lord (inherent in the
meaning of "hymn")
- Another is to teach and admonish one another - Col 3:16
- A third is to be enriched by the Word and filled with the
Spirit - Col 3:16; Ep 5:18-19
-- Congregational singing reaches upward, outward, and inward!
[But not all congregational singing praises God, teaches one another,
and uplifts ourselves. To help reach that goal, here are some
suggestions related to...]
- THE PRACTICE OF CONGREGATIONAL SINGING
- WHAT SONG LEADERS CAN DO...
- Lead with enthusiasm
- The song leader generally sets the tone
- His influence goes beyond announcing the number and starting
the song
- The song leader's demeanor should reflect the nature of the
songs he leads
- Lead with familiarity
- People respond to songs they know and love
- Few people are able to catch on and sing songs that are new
to them
- Too many new songs, and people get out of the habit of
singing with fervor
- There is a time and place to learn new songs; not every
service is the time or place
-- Song leaders need not be accomplished, but they should be
thoughtful of their function
- WHAT THE CONGREGATION CAN DO...
- Sing with their understanding - 1Co 14:15
- It is the words of the songs that express praise and provide
edification
- Melody is enhanced when we pay careful attention to the
words
- Sing with their heart - Ep 5:19; Col 3:16
- We are to make melody with our hearts, sing with grace in
our hearts
- Thus we should let the words of the song influence our
emotions
- Sing with their voice - Ps 51:14-15; Col 3:16
- The Psalmist wrote of praising God aloud with his lips,
tongue and mouth
- We are to teach and admonish one another; how can we if we
do not hear one another?
- Sing with their presence - Ps 122:1
- Practice makes perfect; sing with others whenever there is
opportunity
- Sit close to those who like to sing; you are more likely to
sing louder
-- Praising God and edifying others should engage our whole being!
CONCLUSION
- Congregational singing is a spiritual activity with great
potential...
- Offering hymns of praise to God constitute spiritual sacrifices
- He 13:15
- Teaching and admonishing one another in song is one way we exhort
one another - He 10:24-25
- Whether congregation singing fulfills its potential depends on us...
- Whether we appreciate the precept, practice, and principle behind
it
- Whether we sing as God intended: with our whole being (mind,
heart, and voice)
May we as a congregation of God's people always have the attitude of
David when it comes to singing...
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will
praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my
being. - Ps 146:1-2