Congregational Singing | Teaching

Congregational Singing

In the Scriptures, singing is commanded and encouraged for God’s people for the following three purposes, which I will elaborate on with scripture, quotes from the book “Sing” and some of my own thoughts. 

1. As a means for the church to corporately respond in worship to the revelation of God and His saving grace through Jesus Christ. Worship i.e. praise, thanksgiving, confession, etc. (Psalm 100; Heb 13:28-29; Eph 5:18-21; Col 3:16-17)

- When we corporately respond in worship, is it in praise and thanksgiving or is it half hearted? The Getty’s write of a non believer visiting a church with this reflection on how the people sang:

“Tragically, the way she had seen Christinas sing had suggested to her that what they were singing was either not true, or not wonderful, or both. If she were standing near you next Sunday morning, what would she think of your witness?” (Getty 93)

- Are we responding to the revelation of God and his saving grace through Jesus?

- Also for those on stage, the congregation will follow your lead. If you’re genuine and joyful and into it they will more easily follow you into that place. If you’re up there playing an instrument with no microphone in front of you, you should still be singing. Work on getting over the distraction of leading and playing music so you are able to worship on stage, not just play all the right notes and sound good.

2. As a means by which the people of God encourage one another and instruct one another in the faith (Psalms; Eph 5:18-21; Col 3:16-17)

- This can’t be done with weak watered down lyrics.

“Being vague and gospel-lite in congregational songs is not the way to be “seeker friendly.” Communicating the gospel in a way that informs the mind and engages the emotions is. The gospel is the church’s central lyrical distinctive. We should not be shy about it.” (Getty 91)

“There is something unique about congregational singing that is both invitational and instructive to people.” (Getty 90)

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

3. As a powerful witness of the church’s one hearted unity in Christ and devotion to Christ (Psalm 66:2; Col 4:5; 1 Pet 2:9).

“When we sing, we witness to the people in our church who are yet to believe - to the unsaved spouse, the cynical teen, the intrigued friend... The sight and sound of a congregation singing praise to God together is a radical witness in a culture that rejects God and embraces individualism. Our songs are the public manifesto of what we believe.” (Getty 86)

“Singing together bears compelling witness to the truth. It says to those watching on and listening in that, just as we sing the same melody together, we share the same faith,” (Getty 87)

“Your singing is always a witness. The question is: is it a good witness or not?” (Getty 88)

- Therefore we encourage full-hearted, corporate singing in the local church.

- I never thought of my singing being a witness but it is, and that truth should spur us on to sing our hearts out to God while on stage, and in the congregation.