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» Do the fundamental things well
Number 6: Get the congregation singing
The Bible is full of genuine God-focussed expressions such as singing loudly, shouting, clapping and dancing. Just read the Psalms (33, 47 and 150 to begin with). Joining as one voice in songs of praise is a tremendous encourgament to the people of God - so why do the people of God so often seem reluctant?
Outside church, many Christians don’t have a problem singing praise songs at the top of their lungs. Remember the story of the bus load of students coming back from their conference singing "And Can It Be".
When it comes to church however, there are a few reasons people might not sing enthusiastically or expressively.
Why don’t people sing up?
» 1. They don’t know the songs
» 2. The song leader isn’t confident
» 3. There isn’t adequate amplification
» 4. Personal reasons
» 5. They believe expressive singing is wrong
» 6. Church culture
1. They don’t know the songs
This might seem like an obvious enough reason, but it’s a significant problem in some churches that don’t teach new songs well, do songs that are too hard for the congregation (or musicians), or do songs that culturally the congregation can’t handle (such as modern praise songs in a congregation used to singing old hymns). See the section on The well-balanced song list.
2. The song leader isn’t confident
If the song leader isn’t sure what’s going on, the congregation will be hesitant to join in.
3. There isn’t adequate amplification
If people can’t hear the music through the sound system, they will be hesitant to join in.
4. Personal reasons
People might be sick or struggling through a hard time, and just don’t feel like singing. This is in many ways right - there is a time for everything "a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Also, some people really just can’t sing, or have an introverted personality. God has gifted people differently.
5. They believe expressive singing is wrong
People hold this (unbiblical) view for a variety of reasons. When I speak with them about it, I often remind them of the story from 2Samuel 6, which describes David’s victorious return from the Philistines, as he danced for joy before the ark:
And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn. As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart.
Michal despised David’s righteous expression of joy before the Lord in removing his royal garments and dancing in the street. And because she did, the Lord judged her: “Michal, the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death” (verse 23).
I say this not because I think every church should start dancing in the aisles during the singing (or because I’m calling a curse upon those who judge expressive singers!) but because it’s important to defend what the Bible clearly teaches about righteous expression, and to understand the freedom we all have to express our joy in the Lord.
Of course our freedom is moderated by love and a desire to serve one another (Galatians 5:13) so we shouldn’t flaunt our freedoms when they will cause significant problems for people. That having been said, Biblical singing is expressive, and we should encourage our churches toward the purpose God has for music.
6. Church culture
The most common reason music teams struggle to get their churches singing up is that it’s just not part of the culture of the church. When this is the case, we need to tread carefully, respectfully and prayerfully, realising that although God is all for singing, cultural change takes a lot of time! Often people are reluctant to change simply because they like things the way they are. Sometimes people would like to change but they’re afraid of what people will think if they behave differently.
Encouraging the church to expressive singing
» 1. Start with the music team
» 2. Work on developing confident, expressive song leaders
» 3. Talk with your senior pastor
1. Start with the music team
The thing about singing with joy and gusto - is that no one will do it unless other people start doing it first! So when you meet with your music team, given them permission to go out on a limb and serve the congregation by singing up when they sing as members of the congregation. Ask them to talk about it with their friends and in their home groups, and encourage people to sing.
2. Work on developing confident, expressive song leaders
It’s often frustrating as a song leader to be singing to a dead-pan array of mumbling faces. Encourage your song leaders to persevere and make a big deal of small changes (such as the congregation enjoying a little bit of clapping for the first time).
3. Talk with your senior pastor
A friend on the music team at Chinese Christian Church Milson’s Point was greatly encouraged by a talk given by Peter Ko recently on the theology of church, and music at church. I’ve quoted the second half of his conclusion (it’s well worth it):
Peter Ko - The Theology of Church, Music (Ephesians 5:15-20)
Chinese Christian Church Milson’s Point, February 12, 2006
You and I both know that part of being human is that we sing; that we express our emotions and desires and our fears and our longings through music. Music and singing is meant to engage our whole being, and especially our feelings. Don't be afraid of feelings. (I know you know that because I've seen lots of you talk about your secular songs.) I wonder why, for lots of us, all this passion just dies when we come to church […]
Let's not be afraid to engage our whole selves, our mind, our emotions, maybe a little body as well? If you feel like during singing you want to raise your hands, you want to clap, you want to sway, you want to express yourselves bodily, don't feel inhibited doing that.
Now I know that at some churches it is unhelpful the way they let emotional singing and jumping and clapping take over good solid biblical songs. That is the case at some churches, but on the whole I have no doubt that that is not our problem. In fact, at this church if you feel like raising your hands or clapping, you feel inhibited because you think everyone is looking at you.
Just remember, we are God's people gathered before his throne in the heavenly assembly. Do you think the angels in the heavenly church are singing like a bunch of dead beats with wings? I highly doubt it. There ought to be real joy and real gusto as we sing those songs of profession about God, and the great things he has done.
How can you sing a song like “In Christ Alone” and not be stirred. And when you sing your responses to God, well, let it rise from your hearts! Mean it. For those songs ought to be treated with the same sincerity as congregational prayers.
Every time we sing, keep in mind that we are the assembly of God before his throne in heaven. We are the apex, the pinnacle of his plans and purposes for the universe. The whole cosmos is waiting in hushed anticipation, waiting to hear how God's very own people - his dearly beloved people, redeemed by the blood of his Son, united to Christ, standing in his presence - how we as a church will sing to God, sing about God and sing to one another. We are the assembly of God and heaven is listening. More importantly God is listening.