Singing to Build Up
By We had one of the best music days we've ever had at Third Avenue last Sunday. It was incredible--loud, heartfelt, worshipful, and exciting, even on the songs that aren't "naturally" exciting, if you know what I mean. I remember listening to the congregation sing behind me, hearing people say "Amen" at the end of the songs (a fairly rare thing at our church), and a couple of thoughts hit me. One of my goals at Third Avenue is to work against music ever becoming an "issue" for the church. It's always seemed to me that Satan must take a peculiar pride in the tactic of taking music---which God intended to be a beautiful means of worship to Him---and turning it into a line of division and battle among His people. So a couple of thoughts hit me, and I decided to share them with our church. Maybe they'll be helpful to you, too.
First, it fills my heart with joy (no kidding!) that the success or failure of our music on Sunday mornings depends on whether our congregation shows up ready to sing. It's amazing, really. When we as a church show up prepared to engage in the service, excited to worship Christ and hear from his Word, our music succeeds in a big way---the voices fill up our sanctuary like a flood, and it's beautiful to hear. When we as a church don't show up, though, when we're distracted, down, and thinking about anything and everything but the worship of God, our music is really bad. It's quiet, empty, and completely without energy. I realize it might be a strange thing to say, but I'm glad that's how it works! I actually think it's a very good thing that our congregation bears a good deal of responsibility for how our services go each and every Sunday. When I feel that kind of weight---that my attitude and state of mind affects not just me but the entire congregation---it makes me pay more attention to my heart and engage more with the service.
Second, and closely related, I think we ought to encourage every member of our churches to sing every song in the service with gusto, even if they don't particularly resonate with the song. Every Christian has a certain set of hymns and songs that deeply resonate with them---the melody, the words, an experience they had when they first heard it---and our natural tendency is to give those favorites everything we've got . . . but then sort of check out when the next song is one we don't particularly like. But here's the thing: When you sing in a congregation, you're not just singing for yourself; you're singing for every other member of the congregation, for their edification and building up in Christ, too. In I Corinthians 14:26, Paul tells us that when we come together, everything we do--including our singing--is done for each other. Singing hymns is not just an opportunity for each of us, as individuals, to worship God in our own way. It's an opportunity for the church, as a whole, to worship God together. That means that even if you don't like a particular song, it's likely that someone else in the congregation resonates with it deeply---they feel about it the same way you feel about your favorites---and so you have a responsibility to love that person by singing that song with all the heart you can muster. In other words, don't check out on songs that aren't your favorites; sing them! And sing them loud and heartily, not because you particularly like them, but because you may be helping to edify another brother or sister whose heart is engaged deeply with those songs. Worship isn't finally an individual experience; it's corporate. And everything we do--everything, Paul tells us, including our singing---should be done for the building up of the saints.
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Greg, what do you recommend when a hymn is chosen with which you have serious theological disagreement?
For example, "The Savior is Waiting" is still in the Baptist Hymnal, and so it is occasionally sung in our church. I can't bring myself to sing words which I believe to be a false description of Christ. It's not a matter of like/dislike (yes, I dislike the song as well as disagree with it, but there are some I love and disagree with), but of integrity.
???
Good question. Hopefully the worship leader is not merely a song leader, but also solid in doctrine and evaluating each song in it's entirety. If that is not the case, I believe it is time for a new worship leader.
Just wondering, what about that particular song exhibits a false description of Christ?
Just wondering, what about that particular song exhibits a false description of Christ?
Doc B,
Unfortunately, I too am placed in this situation from time to time in my home church. Although our church is Calvinistic, we sing a couple of songs that emphasize the idea of a general atonement. I can't bring myself to sing what I believe to be bad theology, so I drop out and don't sing the problematic lines.
i had the same question after reading this (redirected from Justin Taylor) - there are some songs which i not only disagree with theologically, but am even offended by. "Our God" by Chris Tomlin is one such song i find actually offensive, but tomlin is such a staple amongst contemporary services nowadays, it seems i don't have much choice but to suffer through. how should one respond in situations like this?
i had the same question after reading this (redirected from Justin Taylor) - there are some songs which i not only disagree with theologically, but am even offended by. "Our God" by Chris Tomlin is one such song i find actually offensive, but tomlin is such a staple amongst contemporary services nowadays, it seems i don't have much choice but to suffer through. how should one respond in situations like this?
This is so true; thank you for writing it. As the band leader at my church, I can't describe how discouraging it's been trying to lead a congregation that resolutely refuses to sing, no matter the music. (I'm stepping down after 8 months!) It is demoralizing to me as a worshipper, not just as a leader. I'll try to remember your advice and sing heartily for others next time I'm in a setting where I'm forced to sing "Shine, Jesus, Shine" :-)
Good points that convict me. I would just want add that worship is corporate as the church comes together, and we should not want to leave the impression that we are not to worship privately as well. It is important that we do so.
Yes, yes, yes! Thank you for this perspective!
I hate the idea that "worship" is successful if we can whip people into a certain emotional state by cranking up the volume, making sure we have "excited" expression on the "stage," and generally acting as if we were cheerleaders at a football game instead of worshipers of the Living God.
It's wonderfully humbling to be able to praise Him with the emptiness...with the fact that it's all meaningless without Him, and that no amount of "Rah-Rah" will substitute for the real worship we long for.
You said it well Betsy! It's what many charismatics do and don't even give it a second thought.
Well said Betsy! It's what so many charismatics do without even giving it a second thought.
Even the comments herein indicate that "worship" will always be an issue in the church. Many of us are seeing an increasing disconnect between the generations in the church. You mention "loud" and "exciting," but what about the over-sixty group whose very bodies react negatively to the booming bass, twanging guitars and LOUD volume, as though the Lord cannot hear us at a healthy decibel? You mention songs not "naturally" exciting, but what about those of us who have spent more decades in the Word than the Millennials (1980--2000 birthgroup) and find the music filled with sloppy doctrine and lyrics and melodies that are, quite simply, bad music? Finally, there is a difference between praise and worship, but many "worship" teams only "praise" and cannot transition from the first to the second. Let's diminish the I's and my's in our songs to focus on God Himself in His majesty. God is in His holy temple, so we need to learn how to reverence Him -- and then practice it. Together.
My impression from the word "loud" was the singing, not the band. If he meant the band, I am with you, but if he meant the singing, I am with Greg on this one. You just know it's different when you are part of a loud chorus of praise from God's people --- loud voices. in fact, the very reason I don't like loud music is it drowns out the voices!
As a member of the church where Greg is the pastor, I can assure you that he is talking about the congregation singing and not the band. We don't have a band.
Linda,
I understand the possibility of music contributing to a disconnect between age groups. I think that mainly is due to people (from all age groups) thinking that their preferences determine "good music". I think that if we all decide to show some grace to one another that music could have the completely opposite effect... and it would actually be used as a tool to bridge us together.
Also, I am not sure if you meant to or if I am just misreading your comment... but are you saying that older music is more theologically rich than newer music? Before I respond to that, I want to make sure I am understanding your comment.
And, although I disagree with there being a difference between "praise" and "worship", I would like to hear what you believe to be the difference.
peace
Greg, loved this post. At our recent WorshipGod conference I spoke on the topic of "Gathering to Edify," so I resonated with what you're saying here.
No matter what the instrumentation of the church, the most important sound is that of the congregation. We should be able to both hear and see each other as we "teach and admonish one another," singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in our hearts to God. And what a privilege it is.
Usually, when I drop out of a hymn, it's because I'm unfamiliar with it. I'm also a functioning illiterate when it comes to music. I can't really read music, but I can pull enough from the notes to use as a rough guide. Still, some hymns are kind of difficult and it might take me the entire hymn to learn it. If it's an unfamiliar praise song in the bulletin that has only words, then it's that much more difficult. I'm sure I'm not the only one in this boat. I just say this because it might be a factor to take into consideration if you notice that the congregation isn't having much success with a particular hymn or praise song.
Also, vision can play a factor. Before I got my new glasses this spring, I sometimes struggled to see words. In fact, I still do because I now have bifocals in my glasses and they aren't always the easiest type of lens to see through. We might want to make sure that when we have something with printed lyrics that the font is large enough for those of us with vision issues and that there is plenty of light.
I hope this is helpful.
Everyone has missed a very fundamental question. That is "are the songs we are singing 'Christian' or do they belong squarely in the 'post-Christian' genre?
Look at the majority of the "9-11 choruses" (nine words sung eleven times). There is no rhythm or rhyme to them. Words are haphazardly thrown up to be 'matched' with a rhythm-less tune.
I for one refuse to be party to the demise of the true Church by singing such songs.
Oh, Guest, this is so sad. "9-11" choruses are everywhere, and sometimes we choose not to acknowledge that even our older hymns can be like this. "I Have Decided to follow Jesus" (only 6 words), "Alleluia" (only 1 word). How about this oldy: "Blessed be the name, blessed be the name, blessed be the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name, blessed be the name, blessed be the name of the Lord."
Consider the Psalms! Psalm 134 is 3 verses long - just a short thought for you to meditate on. Other Psalms do have the deep Theology that we certainly need to keep. Then go to Psalm 136 - Psalm 136 is a 7-11 song!!!! 26 verses, and each verse repeats the same thing over and over!
"I for one refuse to be party to the demise of the true Church by singing such songs." Don't fight your church family, please. Read this letter written to a Pastor:
"I am no music scholar, but I feel I know appropriate church music when I hear it. Last Sunday’s new hymn – if you can call it that – sounded like a sentimental love ballad one would expect to hear crooned in a saloon. If you insist on exposing us to rubbish like this – in God’s house! – don’t be surprised if many of the faithful look for a new place to worship. The hymns we grew up with are all we need." (1863, a letter written about the song “Just As I Am”)
You MUST realize that you are fighting for your own prideful preference, as many have before you. Can you imagine us not having "Just As I Am" because someone like you said there is no rhythm or rhyme to it? Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, fellow-believer!
Brian,
Thankful for your thoughtful and loving response. It seems to me that many of the issues people have with music, too loud vs. too soft, too old vs. too knew, too long vs. too short, not enough repetition vs. too much repetition, etc... are all characteristics of the book of Psalms (which we are commanded to sing).
peace
What about worship leaders that plead with the congregation to "enter in" to the time of singing, but when they aren't up front, they don't do it either?
Most of the songs I don't sing at my church are in a key that is unfriendly to the average person. If I can't drop down an octave, I just meditate on the words. For some reason our church refuses to have hymn books too. We just have words printed in the bulletin, rarely any music to follow. When I mentioned these things, I was told we should expand our vocal range, and the old baptist hymn books are full of doctrinally unsound hymns. sigh
Guest,
Sounds as though the 'vocal range' comment that you received seems unsound. ;-) As for the 'doctrinally unsound hymns (songs),' I don't believe they are only limited to a Baptist hymnbook.
You are so right! I thought I was alone (maybe with Gene Getz) preaching this. Edification is the rubric for why the church gathers.
I Corinthians 14:26 says, "Let all things be done for edification..." Please note that "all" refers to what is done in a church meeting -- it should be done in love to build up the body.
Worship is part of that, but not the broadest criteria.
The "body life" movement of the 60's and 70's understood this. You might be interested in my article and discussion at:
http://sharperiron.org/article/how-worship-format-destroying-evangelical-church
I agree with this article.
Gene Getz and Ray Stedman would also, I believe. I Cor. 14:26b says the criteria for what is included is EDIFICATION. That is the main criteria, not worship (although worship is an important part of a service).
If you are interested, you might look over my article about a related concept, but esp. note the discussion at http://sharperiron.org/article/how-worship-format-destroying-evangelical-church
Thanks,
Ed Vasicek
I agree! I attend a church that is the best available type my family. The elders and Sunday school materials are sound in doctrine, and the preaching is gospel-centered. I would prefer a stronger liturgy and better quality of music (both in terms of the quality of the music and the lyrics), but I can't find it in my area. Therefore, I do my best to sing with gusto every single song unless I absolutely disagree with it. Many of the songs are pure mush, but I still do my best. I drop out on any lines that I can't in good conscience sing and then I usually try to discuss the line with one of the elders. Sometimes we can't agree on the need to remove/alter a line, but at least I've expressed my concerns. I also am troubled by the mantra-style repetition of the same words over and over, so I sometimes drop out when the words become vain repetition for me.
I would encourage every music leader to prayerfully read T. David Gordon's book, "Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns."
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