Singing in Worship

[RBerman]

Continued from elsewhere, we were discussing worship music:

I like the repeat-y parts. I think it allows congregations to worship in harmony easier. When you're not so focused on what the next line is supposed to be you can commit more of your focus praising God... or something. A lot of the time if I don't know the words (which is most of the time), I'll just sing my own words while keeping the melody For me praise and worship has nothing to do with me, or even so much the people around me (though I enjoy the communal aspect while worshiping in a congregation), or what the words are supposed to be, but about pouring my heart out to God and expressing how great he is and how wonderful he is, and what a blessing it is to be his.

I come from a very different tradition when it comes to the purpose (and thus the form) of corporate worship music. I appreciate what you say about unfamiliarity with the words (or melody) being a stumbling block to worship. That's why it's good for churches to have a repertoire of music which is used repeatedly, rather than abandoning songs just as the congregation is getting the hang of them. You shouldn't be put in the position where most of the time you don't know how to sing the songs which ought to be a sort of corporate confession of faith. Praise and worship has everything to do with you, and those around you, and God. If the intended song lyrics don't accomplish that purpose, then someone is falling down on the job.

[One Bad Pig]

I agree, worship songs should be a sort of confession of faith. Much praise & worship, however, seems to be based on feelings rather than theology. Then again, music comes from the heart, and I don't think most songwriters these days are well-grounded theologically. From my experience as a Baptist, it also seems that those who choose what music to sing in church don't pay much attention to the theology of the lyrics either - why else would a Calvinist-leaning church be singing songs reflecting an Arminian soteriology? It doesn't help that commercialism has flooded the market with product. Why do we need bunches of new Christmas cantatas cranked out every year? Those, too, can be theologically off, particularly as people keep trying to come up with new content. We don't need new stuff, we need good stuff. We're supposed to be worshiping together, not being entertained together.

/rant

[Adrift]

Interesting thoughts, and I can appreciate both your perspectives. I suppose my take is that praise and worship ought to be a radical expression of your love, glory, and honor towards God. Everyone has their unique way of expressing that, some more accustomed to certain ways than others. My concern though is that if praise and worship becomes too strictured, or too predictable that some people won't maybe... I don't know... take praise and worship to heart. Maybe that's just me though... since I wasn't raised in a traditional church environment, and tend to reject very formal and (what seems to me) stiff religious institutions. God is real and continuously interactive with his creation, and I feel that my worship style should reflect that truth, by offering it to him in an alive and expressive way.

I'm reminded of the passage in 2 Samuel 6 where David and "all the house of Israel" are carrying the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, and are rejoicing, and praising and worshiping through shouting, horns, and dance because God is in their midst (signified by the ark). Just radical praise and worship. Michal the daughter of Saul (in a sort of crossed arm, wag of the finger way) expresses to David how dishonorable and vulgar he's acting, and David's reply is essentially, "pfft, you best close your eyes, cause I just got started". I love that. I love his boldness, and I love his passion, and I wish it something in my own worship style.

Now, I don't think this is an excuse to act totally crazy in a worship service. Scripture is clear that service ought to be led in order and in harmony, but, when I was in the military, I had the opportunity to go to a lot of different types of services (both Protestant and Catholic), and some places were almost claustrophobic in how dry, dead, and perfunctory the worship was done, and on the other side of the scale I saw some places that were so out of control I was afraid for my safety and the safety of other worshipers.

Anyways, though I have my preferences, I've found that it really doesn't matter what kind of service I'm in, and can get into a worshipful mode regardless if the music, and the atmosphere is just right, or whether there is any music or atmosphere at all (worshiping alone).

Anyways, good topic, and sorry I got long winded.

[RBerman]

Interesting thoughts, and I can appreciate both your perspectives. I suppose my take is that praise and worship ought to be a radical expression of your love, glory, and honor towards God. Everyone has their unique way of expressing that, some more accustomed to certain ways than others. My concern though is that if praise and worship becomes too strictured, or too predictable that some people won't maybe... I don't know... take praise and worship to heart. Maybe that's just me though... since I wasn't raised in a traditional church environment, and tend to reject very formal and (what seems to me) stiff religious institutions. God is real and continuously interactive with his creation, and I feel that my worship style should reflect that truth, by offering it to him in an alive and expressive way.

I'm reminded of the passage in 2 Samuel 6 where David and "all the house of Israel" are carrying the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, and are rejoicing, and praising and worshiping through shouting, horns, and dance because God is in their midst (signified by the ark). Just radical praise and worship. Michal the daughter of Saul (in a sort of crossed arm, wag of the finger way) expresses to David how dishonorable and vulgar he's acting, and David's reply is essentially, "pfft, you best close your eyes, cause I just got started". I love that. I love his boldness, and I love his passion, and I wish it something in my own worship style.

Now, I don't think this is an excuse to act totally crazy in a worship service. Scripture is clear that service ought to be led in order and in harmony, but, when I was in the military, I had the opportunity to go to a lot of different types of services (both Protestant and Catholic), and some places were almost claustrophobic in how dry, dead, and perfunctory the worship was done, and on the other side of the scale I saw some places that were so out of control I was afraid for my safety and the safety of other worshipers. Anyways, though I have my preferences, I've found that it really doesn't matter what kind of service I'm in, and can get into a worshipful mode regardless if the music, and the atmosphere is just right, or whether there is any music or atmosphere at all (worshiping alone). Anyways, good topic, and sorry I got long winded.

It's really hard for outsiders to judge a community which worships in a different style. Solemnity can be mistaken for perfunctory deadness if you're used to exuberance. Exuberance can be mistaken for frivolous emotionalism if you're used to solemnity. Mind you, sometimes quiet worship really is dead, and sometimes exuberant worship really is frivolous and man-centered. Concerning your worry that structure in worship is the enemy of sincerity: I have never found that to be the case. Don't make the mistake of thinking that unplanned worship is somehow more meaningful than planned worship. Planning is (or at least can be) worship in and of itself, because it shows that you care-- just like the husband who takes his wife out for an anniversary evening with more thought than just, "Hmm, what should we do next.... ice cream?" And good planning should enhance the event associated with it.

[Phat8594]

I come from a very different tradition when it comes to the purpose (and thus the form) of corporate worship music. I appreciate what you say about unfamiliarity with the words (or melody) being a stumbling block to worship. That's why it's good for churches to have a repertoire of music which is used repeatedly, rather than abandoning songs just as the congregation is getting the hang of them. You shouldn't be put in the position where most of the time you don't know how to sing the songs which ought to be a sort of corporate confession of faith. Praise and worship has everything to do with you, and those around you, and God. If the intended song lyrics don't accomplish that purpose, then someone is falling down on the job.

Yes, I have never quite understood why some churches are constantly playing "new" songs...so much so that it is difficult for people to follow through.


I have also never understood why some worship leaders sing in a way where they are constantly putting their own touches on the songs at the spur of the moment....its almost as if they are putting on a show of their vocal talent....

But its just like we have all told my wifes little sister: "Leading worship is different than singing a show"...when singing a show, you can show your range, power, etc....but when leading worship, you need to remember what you are doing: LEADING WORSHIP....so keep it simple so everyone can worship.

[RBerman]

Yes, I have never quite understood why some churches are constantly playing "new" songs...so much so that it is difficult for people to follow through.
I have also never understood why some worship leaders sing in a way where they are constantly putting their own touches on the songs at the spur of the moment....its almost as if they are putting on a show of their vocal talent.... But its just like we have all told my wifes little sister: "Leading worship is different than singing a show"...when singing a show, you can show your range, power, etc....but when leading worship, you need to remember what you are doing: LEADING WORSHIP....so keep it simple so everyone can worship.

Quite true. I'm amazed by how many church songleaders don't understand that the vocal flourishes that make a song memorable in solo performance also make it unsingable by congregations.

[KingsGambit]

Growing up, I was in a Boy Scout troop that met at a United Methodist church, so I would sometimes look at their hymnals. They had singing instructions from John Wesley at the front, which you can find here: http://www.gbgm-umc.org/BensalemPA/wesley.html

I thought that Wesley went a little overboard with how specific his rules were, in particular his first two, but there are some good principles in there as well.