Podcast Episode #215
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Mike Harland joins us to discuss four main reasons that congregational singing is waining as well as three ways you can reverse this trend in your church.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- In many churches, the hymnal is no longer the primary source of songs for the church.
- We often move on from one song to the next before the congregation really knows a song well enough to sing it.
- One of the main reasons congregational singing is waning is simply because people don’t know the songs.
- In many churches, we’ve created an atmosphere that everything about the room says you’re here to watch, not worship.
- If you set up your facility to feel like a theater, don’t be surprised when your church members act like a theater audience.
- When worship leaders are too artistic, the congregation tends to stop singing and watch.
- Pick a handful of songs that you come back to over and over so that your people know them well.
- More and more people are realizing we need to do a better job of raising up the next generation of worship leaders.
The four reasons we discuss related to the waning of congregational singing are:
- New Song Velocity — “I don’t know that song.”
- The Atmosphere of Observation — “You don’t want me to sing.”
- The Rise of the Worship Artist —“I can’t sing that song.”
- The Misuse of Technology — “I can’t hear anyone else.”
Three things churches can do right now to help their members engage in singing:
- Turn the lights up
- Sing songs the church knows
- Turn the sound down and vary the accompaniment
About Mike Harland
Mike Harland grew up in Mississippi, graduated from Delta State University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and has led churches in worship leadership roles for most of his life. Since 2005, Mike has served as the Director of LifeWay Worship, the music arm of LifeWay Christian Resources. He is a published author and songwriter who sings and speaks nationally and internationally. Mike and his wife Teresa serve in the children’s, discipleship, and worship ministries of Brentwood Baptist Church and live in Franklin, Tennessee. They have three grown children – Lee, Elizabeth, and John.
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…i am a Christian songwriter just setting out…so this is very important to me…one thing i know is that when my worship pastor at the end of some songs would back up with his team and tell the church to sing what they just heard–there is no more beautiful sound–it is a response from their heart–i love hearing it–i think everyone does–and it would go on for a few stanzas with just light instruments–(my former worship pastor benji cowart practiced this a lot and i loved it)
I belong to a very small church plant (ASA 14). We meet in a classroom, and use a laptop and a projector for all our service music. Sometimes, that’s a real challenge.
A couple months ago, we had a supply priest for a few weeks. One Sunday, the laptop died, so we had to do the entire service “a cappella”. As the priest was preparing for communion, he felt called to teach us a song – “Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God”. It was simple and beautiful (and he proved himself to be a great multi-tasker).
We still sing that song every week while the offertory is being taken and we are preparing for communion, and we still think about and pray for that priest every week. There is a version of the song on You-Tube by the Maranatha Singers that is very close to the way the song was taught to us.
Awesome. Those spontaneous moments are worth weight in gold. As a grade school music teacher I even used that method often to calm, and teach during a special moment. I would venture to say that my former students can sing many of those songs today.
This is spot on!!!
Good job Mike, and spot-on.
This podcast was great, and filled with much needed comments. I hope that pastors and other worship leaders listen and think about their own worship experiences and their congregations. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Bob.
I would actually start out with the main point: preach the Word. I am concerned that many in the church are not truly converted, not truly believers – have not come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. If that’s the case, worship is reduced to the worship leader trying to “drum up” enthusiasm from people who have no understanding of the amazing grace that is offered through Jesus Christ. If we know Him, truly KNOW Him, “getting in the mood to worship” will not be an issue. How can anyone do anything but praise His holy name?!
Is our effort to be intensional in practice ; actually ntensional in entertainment as opposed to worship. There are many churches who celebrate the event as opposed to the creator. Thus, the event is an emotive celebration of music rather than an participatory worship of God.
Technology has it’s benefits but sharing your hymnal with your wife , your children or grandmother, mom or dad did provide a fellowship experience worth celebrating.
Yes Prentiss. Theological truth is what I most love in worship. Those old hymnals are full of that! Some of the stories behind those hymns are inspiring as well. And a previous poster put it well as well “it is a response from their HEART – I love hearing it” Amen! There is nothing like singing praises to our God about who He is (truth), what He has done (truth), with our brothers and sisters in Christ!
Often when no melody is played, people do not sing. One cannot “hear” the tune with just a guitar chord played. Music should be in a key that fits the congregation – not the leader. Worship should not be a spectator event – it needs to involve the entire congregation – not just one age group – if the older generation can worship singing songs that they do not know – surely the younger generation could worship by singing a song or two every month or so out of the hymnal. It works both ways.
Yes!
I grew up in “traditional, hymn loving, hymnal hugging” churches, and they all had problems and were filled with a variety of souls making their way to, though, or away from the cross. The church even in NT times was full of people and even leaders that made St. Paul wish they would emasculate themselves (a point made for hyperbole, not actually applying the context he was referring to).
And now in these times where singing has moved beyond choruses to multi-verse songs with “bridges,” our churches are still filled with people at different stages in the redemption process. What we sing does not indicate how saved we are, but where our hearts are is something that has to be figured out between individuals and God.
Singing – as in the whole book in the OT devoted to it – is a way to pour out our hearts and recognize God’s greatness and see our own hearts changed in reflection of His character and mighty acts. Some people just like to sing and never engage their hearts. Some people find their preference of worship prevents them from engaging their hearts in certain worship venues. But no matter what, leaders – whether mantled with singing or teaching the Word – need to help bring congregations to the throne where they can have their hearts unveiled and His heart revealed. That is an awesome responsibility.
I myself am challenged to pray for those leaders, particularly in music, who disappoint me. I am helping no one by fretting about how they lead and not asking our mutual Father to help them lead or help me bend my own preferences to be open to something new He is doing. Although I am in agreement with this article, I am convicted my response should be less in the “he nailed it” camp and more in the vein of how can I support my leaders who have a heart for worship but are still trying to figure out how to lead others to that point too.
Dee, I think I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve got a few questions. I want to start with the Word of God, though: John 4:23-24 “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
So, what does it mean if we don’t (or “can’t” or “won’t”) worship in the Spirit and in truth? Where should I look for the cause?
I think this episode and even some of the comments are totally missing the point. The problem is not the lighting, the smoke, the style of music (contemporary/traditional), song repetition, volume, etc., etc. The problem is that many of us don’t have a heart that desires to worship.
And I do agree with you, we do have a responsibility to help. That is why I regularly encourage and exhort the leadership at my church for Biblical fidelity – fidelity to God’s Word and to Jesus Christ – whether that comes through contemporary music or traditional hymnal music. That’s all we can do. The result (the heart-change) is entirely up to God – not us and will come THROUGH GOD’S WORD (“faith comes by hearing, and hearing, by the Word of God”)
My prayer is that our worship would be directed to Him and would be honoring and pleasing to Him. It grieves me that in many of our churches it seems we have made it all about us, and that’s sad.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! And YES! (Sorry to yell. I’m still recovering from the volume at Sunday’s worship service.)
Disclaimer: former worship leader; vocalist; worship team member; now a longer for simpler moments of genuine connection and congregational song-offerings in worship services. Oh, and I miss reading from the hymnal. I guess I’m getting old.
Since stepping out of the pastorate last year I’ve had opportunity to attend a number of different churches in the community, sometimes as a guest preacher and other times as a visitor. I’ve visited traditional and contemporary churches and have had positive experiences in nearly all of them. My wife and I did visit one contemporary church where the people were gracious and welcoming, the pastor’s message was tremendous, and the music, while uplifting, was earsplitting in volume.
I am only 54, I like to think I am open minded, but in the aforementioned church I couldn’t hear myself think, let alone sing along.
Great post brother, very timely.
I am 54 also, and pastor a smaller (150) congregation that is contemporary with a few hymns mixed in that have a contemporary format. My experience is that the volume needs to be full, but not blaring. When it’s too quiet, people sing less. If it’s too loud, it’s a rock concert. But it needs to be full so people aren’t listening to themselves. And as far as cutting out the instrumentation at the end of a song and letting the people sing unaccompanied, that is always a Holy Spirit moving experience!
I’m a Worship Pastor/Worship Leader in a moderately-sized church (700 in worship). I am a “seasoned” Gen-X worship professional… with over 20+ years experience. I have served in both large and small settings. I have also served in both fully traditional and (currently) fully modern-contemporary settings. I appreciated what Mike had to say, although I didn’t fully agree with every point. The stuff he said about song frequency and repetition, is spot on. The main reason the congregation doesn’t know the song is because the musicians on stage have already grown board of it by the time the congregation has begun to figure it out. They already want to do the next “big” song that just came out on “Big-time Church X’s” latest worship album. But, trust me… the team doesn’t want to the that same song 4 weeks in a row to learn it. As worship pastor… it is my job to balance the needs of the worshiping church body with the desires of the worship team and their morale. In fact, it is one of the most challenging parts of my job.
What’s hard about leading musicians is that they’re… well… musicians! I have talented folks on my team that desire to be seen as artists, … they not only want to serve in leading worship, but they want to create good music at a high level. What the music sounds like really matters to them – even if the congregation can’t tell the difference between mediocre and well done. And to the team… that often is defined in how it is arranged and executed. If it’s done in such a way to only make it easy for the congregation to sing… they get board and frustrated.
I also think there are also some “cultural” aspects about congregational singing that wasn’t even touched upon. Even when I served in a traditional setting where we sang only hymns, I still couldn’t get the men in the congregation to sing well. I have found the men usually shut down because they are embarrassed to have their wives and children see them engage. Singing, by it’s very nature, involves emotion. Trained singers learned to control this emotion and compartmentalize it (to a degree.) But non-musicians, who never sing anywhere except in a church setting… because, really, where else do people group-sing in today’s culture?… people are often publicly afraid to engage their emotions. It’s awkward and uncomfortable… and most American men equate it with femininity. (Incidentally, the only time I ever experience men singing with “gusto” is at men’s only events where the specter of having their wives see and hear them sing is not present.)
I believe his comment’s on lighting are generational… and he did say that it was his preference to have a room that is “bright”. That is not my preference, and if the college-aged kids on my team (which I have a number of) are representative of their generation and the preferences of out high school students are any guide, it’s not theirs either. They are constantly begging me to be more aggressive with the concert-style lighting. The complaints and/or compliments I get in this area are more generationally based than my song/arrangement choices.
Thom… thanks for your looking into this topic. I think it is a very complex issue, and could be broken down over multiple discussions. There are cultural, generational, and gender components to it… It has been on my heart for quite sometime.
Bob,
You make good points. I, like you, have served in worship ministry for many years, though as a Boomer, I’m older. As I relate in my post below this reply, I believe the first job of the worship team is to empower and engage the people. Everything else is secondary. I believe the worship team needs to understand that to the depth of their soul. I definitely understand the “artistry” part of it. But the individual artistic (aesthetic) needs of the musicians must be subject to the sacred role of leading people in worship. That’s why the role of worship leader is pastoral. I’m afraid that some may not really understand that calling and dynamic.
I’ve gone round and round with younger worship leaders about the lighting thing. It is certainly a generational preference, but I also think that lighting is such a powerful dynamic that it cannot be simply designated a “generational disagreement” but needs to be thoroughly critiqued, requiring deep and honest reflection in community. I’ve been in X-er and Millennial worship events where the lights are low and the engagement level is high. My experience with those has been more in special events where motivation is high and therefore engagement is high.
Dim lighting does two things, in my opinion: 1) It creates a concert-type setting where the focus is on the platform. For younger worshippers, that may or may not be a stumbling block. They are used to participating in concert settings. I get it. Older worshippers tend not to understand that dynamic (and probably cannot articulate why) and may disengage. I think if you are serving a multi-generational congregation you have to take that into consideration and consider and perhaps compromise or temper your lighting strategy. 2) Dim lighting accentuates individualized worship and diminishes the sense of corporate identity. To me, this is the greater danger. Our culture and, indeed, our evangelical worship is individualized almost to the point of narcissism. The Scriptures are written primarily in corporate language. We’ve over-individualized the gospel and that, in my mind, is one of the biggest problems in American Christianity. In that, I work to be counter-cultural.
I suggest a more strategic use of lighting. First, sing more corporate songs and keep the lighting up. You will find that if you will sing more corporate songs, your personal songs of worship intimacy will take on even more power. When everything is “I-me-my” they lose their unique impact. When you get to the personal songs, then go ahead and dim the lights. I have found that to be quite profound and effective.
Just my thoughts from many years of researching and reflecting on this stuff…
I am married to a non-singer who loves to sing praises to God. One of his main reasons for dropping out of a song, in addition to what is listed in this post: Key. For some reason even male worship leaders can choose difficult keys for some men to sing in, especially in some old hymns, which were often written in times where choirs “performed them” and keys were not always congregationally friendly.
I do agree that some men may not see singing as “manly,” but if you have not already talked to men you have seen not participate in singing at church, I would actually speak to them and not assume why they do not want to sing. I know my brother hated singing in church because he was not actually a committed Christian and the hymns were meaningless to him. Worship choruses were even worse in his estimation.
There are a lot of reasons some people sing and others do not even in traditional settings. But most of us who were part of “the Jesus movement” remember that people were attracted to church back then – both male and female – because they found worship through music participatory and demonstrative of what they newly felt for God. Some people just joined in “the spirit of worship” rather than singing from their own hearts. So even in the “olden days” you had a variety of heart conditions and preferences at work when trying to lead.
For me personally, I find that many leaders are performance oriented over leading people. That was also true in times when you had big choirs or the rise of the church orchestra. If you use musicians who are confounded by simple musicianship, maybe that is not the person to have leading or they need deeper teaching about what the role of a worship leader actually is.
If they do not like what to do what is needed to help others, maybe they need more time to just participate in worship within the congregation or serve in a different capacity. If they still want to use their gifts, a musicians fellowship or worship concerts may be a better way to go.
There will never be a time this side of eternity where the church perfectly right. But when we see a problem, it is good to find solutions that get us back to, as Matt Redmond put it, “the heart of worship,” whether it is through music, preparing to receive and apply the Word, or giving tithes and offerings. Singing can move and soften our hearts for all those aspects of worship.
I appreciate your comments. I do not feel that artistry or the persuit of it by leadership on the platform has any place in true worship outside a concert venue.
Thank you Bob and Bruce. I am on a worship team – it should not be about us and what we want – it is first and foremost about God Almighty – the creator – the giver of music – my small role is to point people to Him and help them worship Him as I do when I am playing. Admittedly there are times when I “want to shine” – but deep down inside – God always pulls me back to what I should be doing and thinking.
This conversation mercifully transcends worship style, though most of the critique does apply to contemporary worship. (It’s possible to have an over-bearing and “show-off” organist that will shut down singing with too much improvisation and over-powering volume. However, that is rarely the case since organists are trained from the beginning to facilitate the song of the people. ) I have been a worship pastor for over thirty years and now I am a lead pastor. I’ve also been a full-time professor of worship leadership on the undergraduate level. I affirm traditional, contemporary, and ethnic styles.
A large part of my role for many years was also as a choral director. In that role, I believed if the choir wasn’t producing the sound I wanted that it was my fault and responsibility to fix it. I teach the same principle to worship leaders that I mentor: Your first responsibility is to empower and engage the people in worship. If they aren’t singing, you have failed. Period. Figure out why and fix it.
It is my conviction that the role of the worship leader is to empower the “voice” of the people in worship. Often that means a worship leader will need to do the song in a different key or differently than what they hear on the radio or youtube. Too many worship leaders see their role as leading a “cover band” for CCM. A mature and capable worship musician will understand the difference and their unique role in their specific context.
We’ve been on this band-driven worship journey for a long time. I don’t see it diminishing any time soon, nor am I longing for that – though I do miss the great hymns led by a capable organist. Along with this podcast, we are asking the right questions and bringing thoughtful critique. It is a normal corrective for the musical paradigm shift that the church has experienced for the last generation. As an older worship leader, I no longer need “the limelight.” I do get frustrated, however, with younger leaders who seem unteachable and shut out my insight because of my age. I wish it weren’t so. I love to mentor and I believe in the younger generation. I prefer to be in the background and support younger leaders. I just wish there was more openness to the insight I have to offer.
Thanks for this important and needed critique…
This is a subject that really hits a cord with me. No pun intended.
When the hymnals were used a congregation had a selection of hundreds of very good old songs with well thought out messages. There was plenty of variety of songs to be sung, so getting bored with just a handful of songs was not usually an issue. You also had the music notes right there in front of you for those that could read music. However, I cannot tell you when the last time a hymnal was cracked in our church.
Problem with our church, it seems the music leaders only have a half a dozen songs in their repertoire for we seem to sing the same six songs over…and over….and over….and over from week to week. So knowing the songs is not an issue with us. We can sing them in our sleep.
Much of the new songs seem to lack the depth of thought to a point of being mindless repetition. One of the songs we sing repeats a chorus like twelve times. After about four times…I just close my eyes and stop. Another huge pet peeve of mine is the music writers that fill up singing space with nonsensical sounds just to take up space. Words like na…na…na, or la…la….la. It’s as if the writer had a sudden word block and just filled up space with nonsense. These kinds of songs I won’t even participate in.
Is this really the best we can come up with to praise the creator of the universe?
Quite frankly…the music portion of our service is the part that cannot get over fast enough as far as I’m concerned.
Another area of concern is the volume of the sound: our sound booth folks have no problem blowing us out of our seats with the praise song portion of our service, but then when someone walks to the pulpit or stage to speak they turn down the volume so low that we have to strain to hear what the person is saying.
I totally agree with you, Hal – great to hear from someone else who’s feeling the same thing that my family and I have been feeling for many years!!
Even as a full-time musician, I prefer the simple church service with organ & choir.
God Bless.
The real reason why Congregation Singing is Waining – is because in many Evangelical churches, the “Church” and the service, has become all about the “Leaders” and less about Jesus and the true Worship of Him! It has become a 25-30 minute Rock Concert with all the sound system and mic volume increased on the so-called “Worship Leader,” so you can’t even hear yourself singing, let alone the Congregation, so consequently, the Congregation is feeling a huge disconnect with The Lord. It has become Big Business with the focus on the Big Show!!
I grew up in the Presbyterian Church, from infant baptism, to confirmation, until about 28 years of age. After recently leaving the Evangelical Mega-Church world of about 17 years (with my family serving on staff and myself on numerous worship teams for that long amount of time), my family and I are now back to the Presbyterian Church, where there is no “Waining” of the Congregational singing – it thrives in the Presbyterian Church and in most of the mainstream Trinitarian denominations, as well. There is no Cult of Personality, as there is in the Evangelical “kingdoms,” and in some Presbyterian churches, the organ and choir are behind the Congregation in the Balcony, which promotes more humility on the part of the musicians.
As I have said before on posts, the problem with many churches – mostly “Evangelical” – is what I call all the “Leadership Mania” and the focus on Worship “Leaders.” Jesus clearly said that the Greatest are those who serve, are your slave, and the least. The only time when Jesus referred to “Leaders” was in a negative sense, when He referred to the Pharisees. This way of thinking has infiltrated its way, especially, into what is now referred to as “Worship” (which in its true definition meant the entire Church Service), and is defined as a full 25-30 minute segment of Music. When the Scripture mentions Worshiping The Lord, it rarely is speaking of Music! In Psalms it says “Praise” The Lord in Music. The definition of the word “worship” is: “the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity; show reverence and adoration for (a deity); honor with religious rites.” Where does it say “Music”?? There’s a lot that goes into showing reverence and in adoration to The Lord, that has nothing to do with Music.
Unfortunately, today, people think that singing praises to The Lord, means a 25-30 minute Rock Concert, which is what the singing portion of a church service has become and the real focus being on the so-called “Worship Leader” and the Cult of Personality – what they are wearing, their hair style, how they are moving, how well they can pray, using all their well-trained “Christianese,” the fact that they have to be between 18-30 years of age, etc., and the lack of focus on Jesus Christ.
I stepped down from serving on worship teams for 17 years, because of all this Cult of Personality, the Lording-It-Over and Bad Attitudes by the “Worship Leaders.” It is really repulsive and does not honor The Lord, nor does it allow the other musicians on the “Worship Team” to be guided, personally and spontaneously by The Holy Spirit! According to these people, God is only capable of speaking to the Worship Leaders and not to the other musicians on the “Team”!? This is nonsense!
My wife was also on Staff for the same church for 17 years and was treated like a child – isolated in a room that had no air conditioning (while the Pastors enjoyed their air conditioned offices) and reached levels of over 80 degrees – with no respect or caring by the “Leaders” and she ended up quitting as well.
I grew up in the Presbyterian church and was so inspired by the Pastor, at 9 years of age, I wanted to become a Minister myself. I loved that church and still hold that as the standard, which has yet to be matched! Our family has now gone from 17 years in the Evangelical world, back to attending several different Presbyterian churches, until we find the one we feel the most comfortable in. We love the fact that in the Presbyterian Church – the Congregation leads the singing of hymns, though they do have a “Contemporary” service, as many of the Trinitarian denominations are trying to work in (and they don’t have one specific worship team “leader”). We can say the Lord’s Prayer, corporately, without feeling like we’re going against Scripture (go figure that one out!) and we all like saying the Apostle’s Creed together and celebrate Communion on a regular basis (some have it every Sunday, which is awesome!). This is true Worship!
The only time the Scriptures mentions Jesus singing is Matt 26:30/Mark 14:26: “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Its says that Jesus sang one hymn, not numerous hymns!
I am a full-time musician … I teach Music at a major University in Philadelphia, where I was the Vice President of our University’s Faculty & Staff Christian Fellowship, I teach Music at a Philadelphia area Main Line Private Christian School (to Middle School students), I am a voting member of the GRAMMYs, where I am on the board of their Gospel Music Committee, I have been a 1st Round GRAMMY Nominee (in the Gospel Music category), I have played on stage with numerous GRAMMY Award-winning Artists, recorded over 35 albums with a variety of artists, as well as artists who started the whole “Jesus Music” revolution and I co-founded my own Americana Gospel band, that we tour around with. I also served on numerous “Worship Teams” for 17 years in a Philadelphia area Mega-Church, which I finally stepped down from because of all the Cult of Personality, “Lording-it-Over” & Bad Attitudes that prevail with the “Worship Leaders.” I get more love and respect in the secular world from my music colleagues! But of course, unlike many people, my means of Worshiping The Lord is not dependent on what the Pastor’s message is or who’s “on Worship” any particular Sunday. I have my family, who are all believers, we each have our own Holy Bibles and we have our own voices. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
I LOVE this podcast. I think every worship leader and pastor needs to listen to this podcast.
This is TOTALLY AWESOME!!!
Thank you!
What a great podcast episode! This is one of those episodes that needs to be replayed in order to digest all of the great material found in it! I’m a 33 year old male, who has been involved in church music since a very young age. I’ve seen it from the performing side, leading side, and congregant side.
I believe that there are so many factors that detract congregants from singing. I do think the worship “artist” performance argument has much credence. I’ve been in services where the one leading the worship music was so disconnected from the audience that that the congregation just started to stop singing. I believe that worship leaders need to understand that their position in the church service is important and its a position of leading the people. While its important to see your worship leader engaged in worship , The leader should always be mindful to find a way to engage the congregation and encourage them to sing to Christ. I find it hard to sing many times when the leader is distracting, unsure or inauthentic. A worship leader does not have to be a copycat of a popular worship leader/artist (distracting swaying, wearing four scarves in 100 degree weather, seeing how high they can sing), a comedian, or a preacher.
Also, the high repetition of songs CAN be another detriment. My wife and I, when we were engaged, were attending her church for a time. A certain newer worship song was the opener for that sunday morning and she looked at me and said “i’m so tired of this song….they do it every sunday”. From that point, I noticed how much repetition happens. Of course, the reason for the repetition was to let the crowd learn it, but there is a point when it has to be stopped. When an audience cannot connect with a song, they will not sing it passionately (whether in a book or on a screen). Song selection and rotation is important…you don’t have to be the top 10 hits of KLove.
I really love how the podcast spoke to the musician side of things. I believe that there are some VERY talented church musicians and arrangers. Also, technology has evolved to where it looks like we have some VERY talented church musicians and arrangers. In some ways, the church may have instrumentalists but they do not have musicians or leaders who can truly create/transpose/play without assistance on the fly. I’ve noticed that churches seem to have to stick with a worship “set” because any change would mess up the programming (the click track or the pad for the keyboard). Little do we see a worship leader just have the audience sing a impromptu chorus of a different song with just light accompaniment on the fly. Why? It would throw the musicians off. In the same vein, Its almost now that a church is relegated to one style of music, even if its considered blended. How often do you hear a worship set that would include a hymn, a southern gospel style song, a black gospel style song and a contemporary song.
Lastly, I really think fatigue plays a factor. Most people, do not want to or feel comfortable standing for 3-4 songs in a row during the “set”. I’ve been in many churches where the worship leader comes out and softly says “lets just…just worship…stand with me” and then for 15 -20 minutes you’re standing, singing songs you may or may not know and it gets old. Especially if you are in a blended church, I’ve noticed many of the older folks have to sit after a song and it seems that after a while they disengage unless a very familiar song is sung. I could imagine after walking from the parking lot, greeting others, finding a seat, that standing for 15-20 minutes would get uncomfortable and distracting for many.
Just 2 cents to add…probably worth less than 2 haha. Love this podcast!
“As worship pastor… it is my job to balance the needs of the worshiping church body with the desires of the worship team and their morale. In fact, it is one of the most challenging parts of my job.’
The desires of the “worship team” should be to meet the needs of the worshiping church body.
So strange to read people arguing the “cult of personality” and “rock star” mentality is somehow dependent on modern worship services. Lots of traditional & blended style churches struggle with these same problems.
Why?
Because this is a culture issue. Attitudes and motives and intentions are far more important than lumen and decibel levels. Biblical leadership and worship can occur within any of these forms, and I would argue strenuously that cultural and personal preferences are the primary discussion points of this comment section.
“Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.” Ecc 7:10
Interesting you would quote Ecc 7:10, Dan, and not anything from Christ – kind of a Paradox, isn’t it? In response – I quote Hebrews 8:13 … “By calling this covenant “new” He has made the first one Obsolete; and what is Outdated will soon disappear.” I follow Jesus Christ – not Solomon. Even Jesus said, “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a Greater Than Solomon is here.”
Many churches spend most of their time preaching from “The Old Testament” (and too much time in Paul’s Letters) and rarely preach messages (sermons) from Jesus Christ and the Gospels – another reason for the “Waining” Congregational Singing. Jesus also corrected the Pharisees on spending too much time in The Old Law and sitting in Moses’ Seat.
I am the co-founder of a 1st Round GRAMMY Nominated Americana/Roots Gospel band (where I am the Drummer), that tours the country preaching The Gospel through Music, in both churches and secular venues, with no problems … and Praise Jesus, we are currently Number One on the ReverbNation Charts. Many churches, even with “Worship Teams” and “Contemporary” Services, complain about having Drummers, as it is (and force drummers to play on Electronic Drum Kits or sit behind the ridiculous “Drum Shields”) – so much for churches embracing Culture and Modern Worship!!). In our band, though I am the co-founder, I take a back seat to all the other musicians and there is No one “Leader.” Every person in the band, takes Equal turns singing (except me) and choosing music for our repertoire – this avoids any “Cult of Personality.”
I don’t have a problem with Any form of music being presented in the Church – Hip Hop, Metal, Punk, Rock, etc. as long as Jesus Christ is the focus (and Not the “Worship Leader” – their age, what they’re wearing, how they move, or how well they use their “Christianese” to pray) and that the “Worship Team” plays and chooses the repertoire as a “Team” and Not just One “Worship Leader” calling all the shots – that’s when it falls apart and becomes the Cult of Personality and a Rock Concert.
Why?
Well … first of all … it’s tragic that a church would sell-out to the same kind of Ageism … Age Discrimination, that the rest of the world has fallen into … right. Pop Culture says that youth is the equivalent of Relevance and that becoming and Elder is to become Irrelevant. So, the fact that the Church would capitulate to that way of thinking, is repulsive … and I’d like to use a word stronger than repulsive. Do you want Justin Bieber leading your worship … I don’t! I want somebody with some “miles on the odometer” – that’s what I want. I don’t care if they’re young or if they’re 70 – what I want, is someone who has a knowledge of God, born of having walked the Emmaus Road a Long Time … and had their eyes opened numerous times along the way – in moments not only of astonishment, which is wisdom, giving, suffering. Now … a young person can have some of that, but … they can’t carry it in the same kind of container that a 45 or 50, or 55, or 60 year old person can – they can’t … but it’s not their fault. So … the danger in that is and the sadness to my heart is, that churches would so want to mimic Culture by Idolizing Youth.
This is what happens when we Commodify Religion and when churches get into this unvirtuous cycle about money and seats and how to maintain budgets and if churches don’t get the young, good-looking, guitar playing Guy. By-the-way, the “Worship Leading World” is not particularly friendly to Women, either, but that’s a whole other issue – we need more Women Worship Leaders … there’s just not enough of them.
To be brutally honest … here’s the problem that a Senior Pastor or a Pastoral Team can face [my wife was on a Mega-Church Staff for 17 years]. We got 1,000 seats … and there’s a church down the road that has 1,000 seats. They’ve got Contemporary Worship, we have Contemporary Worship. They’ve got a good-looking 22 year old guy down there, etc. … so I’ve got to start competing with that. Now, if I don’t fill my seats, I can’t pay my Team and if I can’t pay my Team, then I’ve got to start letting them go and people start going. It’s just like a Corporate Mindset. This is the way American or Multi-National Corporations start thinking. So, I’m in a market and I have to have a Market-Driven Mindset that says that the competition is doing “X,” so I have to do “X” in order to stay in the game. Do you see where all of this “leads” (so to speak)?! I can’t maintain buildings, I can’t pay staff, etc. So … what happens? Then we end up with a Commodified Culture [World]-Immitating Church.
“Many churches spend most of their time preaching from “The Old Testament” (and too much time in Paul’s Letters) and rarely preach messages (sermons) from Jesus Christ and the Gospels – another reason for the “Waining” Congregational Singing.”
Paul was called to be the apostle to the Gentiles and received more revelation about the church than any of the other apostles (Ephesians 3, Colossians 1:24-29) so when it comes to church age doctrine and practice we look primarily to the Pauline epistles who BTW received his revelation from the Lord Jesus (Galatians 1:10-11).
We are sort of getting off of Discussion Point here (on a Rabbit Trail), but, Yes … Craig … Jesus did appear to Paul on the Road to Damascus and his “personal” mission was to bring The Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, which, BTW, took some time before he was even accepted by The Twelve and argued on several occasions with The Twelve, as well as the famous disagreement between Paul & Barnabas where they parted ways. Paul’s Letters were meant to be a support to the existing house churches, which were in major persecution at the time; the threat of death from the authorities between Judaism & Rome (their worship of Diana & Caesar) and struggle against the misguided beliefs of the Gnostics. Bible Scholars mostly all agree that there are points in Paul’s Letters which were driven by Culture and only applied to a particular audience and situations in that era – and Not for All Time. And we have to remember that there are even times in Paul’s letters, on several occasions, where Paul says, “That which I am speaking, I am not speaking as the Lord would.”
Also … there’s a big difference between Paul’s Letters and The Book of Revelation. Paul never stated that his Letters were the Revelation from Jesus Christ, as John did with the Book of Revelation – “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”
The point is, I have been witness to a number of Pastors who know Paul’s Letters better than The 4 Gospels and they misquote Jesus and twist His words, over and over, because of the lack of time devoted in their study. This is a problem! At No point in the 4 Gospels did Christ say to wait for someone greater, who will have more to say than He did. He commissioned us All to “Go out into all the world and preach The Gospel (the Good News) to Every Creature.” He said that a number of years before He met Paul on the Road to Damascus. Jesus Christ continued to appear to many other people throughout History and does so even Today.
Actually, many biblical scholars and lay Christians have noted that Jesus preached almost exclusively about the kingdom of heaven, while Paul highlighted justification by faith—and not vice versa. Some conclude that they preached two different gospels. Others argue that really they both preached justification; still others say it’s all about the kingdom. What gives? There are even many scholars who believe that Paul’s “Pastoral Epistles” (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus), were not even from Paul at all, and that they are extrapolations by copyists (see “Uber den sogenannten ersten Brief des Paulus an des Timotheos” by Schleiermacher, Baur’s “Pastoralbriefe,” and “The Authorship of the Pastoral Epsitles” by Professor E. Y. Hincks). I’m not saying, though, that I believe that to be true.
I could never begin to match the sacrifices that Paul, The Disciples and all the Martyrs have given for Christ … but let us not forget Who we follow – Only Jesus Christ … and not Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, TobyMac, Kari Jobe, Hillsong (Darlene Zschech, Geoff Bullock, etc. ), nor any Worship Leader with guitar in hand or cool hairdo.
The Gospel is the core of the Bible, and The Gospel is the story of Jesus. Every time we talk about Jesus, we are gospeling. Telling others about Jesus leads to both the kingdom and justification—but only if we begin with Jesus.
Blessings in Christ <
Yes, this is a little off topic. However, outside of Jesus Himself, there is no greater proponent or expositor of the Gospel than Paul and yet you just tried to eviscerate him. The idea that Paul was speaking only to the culture of the time is, frankly, one of the ways that liberalism and heresy gets its foot in the door.
Furthermore, the gospel of the kingdom was a very Jewish message. Paul was the apostle to the gentiles and the message, “repent for the kingdom of God is at hand,” would have meant nothing to them. Paul does teach in Romans that gentiles will be part of the kingdom (as does Jesus) but it must begin with faith in Jesus. And of course, Jesus clearly taught justification by faith. That’s what the whole gospel of John is about, or are you going to throw out that too. If you believe Paul when he said that he received his revelation directly from Jesus then that puts his writings on the same level as the book of Revelation. At the end of the day, either Paul’s writings are God’s Word or they’re not.
I’ll make two quick points:
1.) Solomon’s wisdom is still valuable and applicable to me, new covenant or not. Allow me to quote Jesus: “I have not come to abolish the law and prophets, but fulfill them.”
2.) Why do you keep referencing the fact that you are a part of a Grammy award nominated band? This is at least the second time you have mentioned it in these comments. All the while you speak against a perceived “rock star mentality/Cult of personality?” Seems disingenuous.
(Bonus point 3.) I don’t care if a twenty year old leads me in worship. This is not capitulation to cultural norms, rather a recognition that God uses young and old alike for the benefit of his people. (See: Mary, Jeremiah, Timothy, and even Jesus Himself).
Hey Dan … I’ll make two quick points including my “Bonus”:
1) I guess you’ve forgotten the verse where Jesus actually Amended the Old Testament [Mosaic] Law of Exodus 21:24 (which actually called for an eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot) when He said in Matt 5:38-48, for example, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” etc.
The Law of Moses was given to point people’s minds forward to Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah-to-come. Once He did come, the Law’s purpose was fulfilled in Jesus Christ alone (Not in Any Man – Moses, Solomon, etc.), and it became obsolete. Moses, Solomon, Kind David & Mary (Jesus’ mother) were all sinners, as were The Twelve – they all still needed a Savior. Only Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all Truth, perfection and that is good. It was not destroyed, but superseded by a higher law – the law of The Gospel through Jesus Christ. Though The Lord does not change, He has the Authority to change laws and reverse decisions (through the Blood of His Son), just as Judges can reverse decisions and Governments have the authority to Amend laws.
2) My GRAMMY nominated band is Not a Sunday morning “worship team” as we are discussing in this Blog and there’s a Big difference between what we do and how we run things than Worship Teams – we are first and foremost, a Music Mission to the World (we don’t Preach to the Choir as Worship Teams do). To quote Solomon, “To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.” The purpose of our band is to bring The Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, mostly, Outside of Church. The secular world likes to claim that Christians have no authority in the Music world or business (and sadly, much of what the CCM Artists produce, is corny & mundane and only appreciated by the Christian community and not to anyone else) … and “Worship Leaders” and Christian “Leaders” in general, like to claim that God only speaks to them (as did Joseph Smith, Charles Taze Russell, Mary Baker Eddy & Muhammad) and No One Else on the “Team” with regard to Music. Well … there are a “few” people who play in “Christian” bands (and on some worship teams), who can speak with Authority in regard to Music and being a GRAMMY nominated band is a nice calling card when speaking with people in the secular side of Music Business (and trying to get gigs, as a Christian band in secular venues) – which we have been successful in doing, Thank God. It’s No different than being reminded of the “About” resumes of Thom S. Rainer (Master of Divinity & Ph.D. Degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, etc,) Mike Harland (graduate of Delta State University & New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary). Isn’t that being disingenuous? Worship Teams have become Dictatorships and are Not “Teams” at all. If you have a problem with GRAMMYs and Awards given to “Christian” Musicians, then maybe you should forget singing at all at your church, because All the top CCM Artists, whose tunes you sing in church – Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, Matthew West, TobyMac, Newsboys, Mercy Me, Castings, Kari Jobe, David Crowder, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day – have No problem attending and accepting Awards at the GMA Dove Awards (a so-called “Christian” and Gospel Music driven Award ceremonies that have been going on for the past 47 years), the We Love Christian Music Awards, IACMA Honors Awards, BMI Christian Music Awards, ASCAP Christian Music Awards, Christian Music Awards, K-LOVE Fan Awards, SESAC Awards.
Unfortunately, many Worship Team Leaders are frustrated musicians who weren’t able to make a career in Music, so they use the Sunday Morning Worship service as their way of fulfilling that dream and creating their own little Rock Star Kingdoms, then act like they are Authorities on Music and that only God speaks to them and no one else on the Team, which is really disingenuous – if you wanna talk being “disingenuous!
With all Praise to The Lord, I’m already a full-time musician, so I don’t need The Church to fulfill my Musical dreams. I play in 7 different bands, have toured the world – performed for The Rolling Stones (Yes – THE Rolling Stones), Presidents Clinton, Queen Elizabeth, the President of France, the King of Sweden, etc., so there’s no reason for me to use the Church to help drive my Ego. I want to go to church where I don’t have be focusing on some Ego-Maniac worship leader, while I’m singing songs and would much rather be singing with the Congregation – only with an “accompaniment” of musicians. I love the churches where the organist & choir are out of site and Behind the Congregation. That’s True Humility! Even when you go to a Broadway Play, the musicians are in the pit or behind a curtain – out of sight.
My “Bonus” point 3: As I said before – I don’t care if a worship leader is a young 20 year old or if they’re 70 – what I want, is someone who has a knowledge of God, through suffering, giving, serving, studied The Word of God for decades, etc. It’s impossible for 20 year old to have the kind of life experiences and sufferings that Adults have! That’s why The Early Church was ruled by a “Group” of Elders – note the word “Elder.” Timothy didn’t have authority over Paul or any of The Disciples.
Thank you & God Bless 🙂
Jesus consistently quoted from the Old Testament. Are you going to take Him to task as well?
Hey Christopher … Yes – obviously Jesus quoted the “Old Testament” many times, but for many different reasons – mostly to show the Pharisees about the prophesies that pointed to Him as the Messiah … not to dictate any Laws and that He was the Kingdom of God and that they should be following Him and not their Old Law..
God Bless.
Sorry, but you lost me when you started playing the “Jesus vs. Paul” game. That’s a dangerous hermeneutic.
Hey Ken, actually … the “Jesus vs Paul” game has been going on for many decades among Biblical Scholars. Maybe you should read the Christianity Today cover story, “Jesus vs Paul” (Dec 2010) for some insight: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/december/9.25.html.
Again … bottom line, I follow Jesus Christ, not the Apostle Paul.
I’m quite familiar with the “Jesus vs. Paul” game. That’s why I said you lost me when you started playing it. It’s a dangerous and disingenuous hermeneutic. I’ve found that many of these same “scholars” aren’t so quick to follow Jesus when His words run against their own desires.
There is no such thing as a “Jesus vs Paul” game. The gospels give us the account of Jesus coming to His own (the Jews) as their long awaited Messiah and His presenting the promised kingdom to them. Being the Son of God Jesus knew they would reject Him, but He offered the kingdom just the same. After His ascension God still was dealing with the nation of Israel through the Holy Spirit working in the lives of the apostles. Once they murdered Stephen they had rejected the Godhead (God the Father in the OT, His Son in the gospels, and now the Holy Spirit). God then set Israel as a nation aside, saved Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles who was given the fullest revelation of the church. When one wants to know church doctrine you start with the Pauline epistles. There is no contradiction between Jesus and Paul. Jesus’ earthly ministry was primarily to the Jews. Jesus’ heavenly ministry to the church (Jews and Gentiles) is revealed through Paul. Look at what Paul’s emphasis is on music for the church.
In the 1980s Betty Carr Pulkingham wrote about how worship music has historically swung back and forth between being the primary activity of the non-professional worshiping assembly and professional and semi-professional musicians and vocalists. During the 1980s the pendulum swung in the direction of the people and there was renaissance in congregational singing. In the opening decade of the 21st century the pendulum has swung in the other direction.
We are seeing a revival of what may be descried as parallel worship, which is akin to parallel play in small children. Parallel worship was at its height in the Middle Ages when the people engaged in their own private devotions while priest and the choir celebrated the Mass.
Rather than singing together, led by what Pulkingham broadly called the “choir,” a committee of members of the worship assembly responsible for leading and supporting the singing of the assembly, the assembly is invited to sing along with a group of professional and semi-professional musicians and vocalists whose responsibility is not to lead and support the assembly’s singing but sing in its place. The instruments and voices of this group are amplified and the volume turned up to a point where it can permanently damage human eardrums in part so that the members of the assembly do not hear themselves or their neighbors and are embarrassed by their own singing and put off by their neighbors’ singing. The other reason given is that younger people want to “feel” the music viscerally.
A lot of the principles that I learned in the 1980s and 1990s about facilitating the assembly’s participation in the worship music–what kind of hymns and songs to select, how to introduce them, how to help the members of the assembly to learn and master them, have been thrown out the window.
In its infancy the Christian Church sung unaccompanied since the musical instruments available at the time had strong associations with pagan worship and immorality. Stringed instruments and flutes were used to accompany the sacrifice of animals on pagan altars and organs to entertain waiting customers in brothels. Singing was in unison so that those singing were glorifying God with one mind and one voice (Romans 15:6). The united voices of the great multitude praising God in Revelation 19:1 was seen as a model for earthly worship.
What may be needed in a number of today’s churches is a renewal of corporate worship, worship that the members of the assembly do together and not independently of each other but in the same room, which has its focus the glorification of God, and which is informed by Romans 15:6, Revelation 19:1, and similar texts from Scripture.
There is just no Biblical basis for your assertion that singing in the early church was both unaccompanied and in unison. It’s reasonable to assume that the church still sang from the Psalms, many of which command the use of instruments. Furthermore, there is a difference between “united” and “unison.” In fact, I could make an argument from 1 Corinthians 12 that singing in parts is more appropriate for the church.
Hi Robin … I love your comment here – it’s very beautiful. I also agree that Betty Carr Pulkingham made a great contribution in her songwriting to the Glory of Jesus Christ and she is a very sweet woman with a lovely spirit.
There are those who feel that singing in churches today, should be without accompaniment by instruments and only with voices, because it’s not mentioned in the New Testament. However, our Lord Jesus Christ quoted The Psalms and not only was King David a musician who performed on a stringed instrument, but he wrote in Psalm 150 that we should Praise The Lord, loudly, with All Instruments – Stringed, Horns & Percussion (“Loud Crashing Cymbals” & Timbrel). Pagan worship was just as prevalent in the days of King David, as it was during the time of Christ and there’s really only a few times where it mentions about singing, at all, in the New Testament – except for Matt 26:30, Acts 16:25, Romans 15:9, 1 Cor 14:15, Eph 5:19, Col 3:16, Heb 2:12. The use of instruments to bring Praises to The Lord is extremely prevalent throughout the Old Testament. And just because instruments may not be mentioned in the New Testament passages, doesn’t mean that they weren’t used at some point.
I also concur with you, Robin, that there needs to be more focus on and a renewal of corporate congregational singing and not on the “Rock Stars” of the Worship Teams. Musicians should only be a “Support” to the Congregation and not the opposite – the Congregation following the musicians. In the singing of Music, The Lord is not impressed by any of the Worship Team’s great “chops” or skills – He looks at the Heart and is more pleased by someone in the Congregation, who is singing His praises from within and might not have the proper intonation (and are out of tune), rather than the “slick” Worship Leader, who wants everybody to be looking at him and all the glory paid to him during their “performance.”
Thank you, Robin.
Blessings in Christ.
great podcast, timely subject and good ideas to ponder! Congregational worship should always be in a state of renewal as our spiritual lives are being renewed. For me, it means that i approach worship planning with a fresh and renewed spirit and that is not easy. Not easy at all! In my planning and leading of worship my approach HAS to be Holy Spirit-led so that i am using music that is God focused on one hand and singable and understandable by my congregation on the other hand. For me, this means i must know my congregation, being more of a pastoral musician and less a worship artist. The result is that most of the time we appear to have worshippers demonstrating a spirit of engagement in worship whether we are using great old hymns and gospel songs or new hymns and spiritual songs – accompanied by organ, piano, strings, brass, woodwinds or band.
Hey Wayne … I love your comment – I must be “more of a pastoral musician and less a worship artist.” That’s dead-on, Brother! Thank you 🙂
This podcast, and many of the comments, have concerned me greatly. Here is someone with a concerted opinion who is using assumptive language to promote that opinion as fact. As a music director/worship leader for the last 30+ years, I can say that I completely agree with portions of this – you have to repeat new songs until your congregation knows them. Also, using a smaller selection of music will help your people engage as well. In these cases, familiarity does not necessarily breed contempt.
But here is where the subjective argument comes in to question: “If you set up your facility to feel like a theater, don’t be surprised when your church members act like a theater audience”
The assumption is that the REASON a church sets up their worship space in this way is to keep the focus on the worship artist, etc. I cannot speak for others, but in my case, there are other reasons. First and foremost, the reason that we have our lights dimmed (not off, but lower than you could use to read your Bible in) is to minimize distraction. People will get up and go to the restroom, or deal with children, or any number of things during every portion of the service. Now, before you say “well, people should be there to worship, and have reverence…” consider that the last 2 churches I have led in were focused on people who don’t have a ‘church background’. We do not water down the Word, but we try to make an environment that makes them want to stay long enough to hear the Word.
The comments about volume and lighting are (in my opinion) both generational, and subjective. I haven’t been to a concert in recent memory, whether ‘Christian artist’ or ‘secular artist’ where people haven’t sung along to the music, played loud, and with lights almost off. People expect to engage if it is expected of them.
I grew up in hymnody. I know how to read shape notes. I also used to hand out lyric sheets to teach churches a ‘chorus’ for revival meetings. The lyrics without notes are what people get in the karaoke machine, and I think that works just fine for today. If memory serves, most hymns were memorized before that demon printing press started churning them out on paper… 😉
Great podcast, very insightful. I have to say, though, many of the comments can be reduced to one statement, “Get off my lawn!”
Great podcast as always! Just wish it had more time. I would love to drill down and get more of Mike’s thoughts on lighting. Perhaps there’s a way to encourage the congregational/familiar times with more light, while choosing very specific artistic moments to light more theatrically. I wonder if this could help encourage both participation and heightened artistry?
You guys are great! Thank you!
I really appreciate this podcast, and have found a great deal of truth in it. This episode on congregational worship has been one where I have seen much different outcomes than what was presented. I have sent this podcast to our worship leader and have been able to have a good deal of discussion. Two areas in particular where I am in conflict with the results of the presenter is in the area of sound level and in the area of lighting. Louder sound and dimmer lights have helped our congregation participate more in worship. I would like to know if the guest was talking more to reaching those in a traditionally churched setting, or reaching out to the more unchurched audience? We have two services where I am, and I provide more leadership to the service that was designed for an unchurched audience. The lights are dim and the sound is loud, and the participation is great. In our more traditional service, the lights are brighter, the sound is lower, and the participation is minimal. I know those are not the only factors that determine the outcome, but I would also like to see by what objective measure audience participation is gauged? I would love to be able to run some tests to see how that might work.
Architecture and the corresponding room acoustics, which varies according to the type of instrumentation, may also play a role in presence or absence of vocal participation.
We also may be finally reaping the results of minimalizing music in many of our schools and in many of our elementary and youth church age divisions.
The abundance of factors which influence this area of congregational singing prevent an easy solution. Without objective data, we are left stating our personal opinions and preferences, based on anecdotal evidence, even when that anecdotal evidence is based on many years of training and service. We are left sensing that in many of our churches something is amiss in our worship services, without the validated best practices to guide us to a solution.
Yet, by the grace of God, his bride has survived two millennium, and by his grace we shall be guided through this as well.
As a former Worship Arts Director and now Sunday morning pew sitter, I know what the time for music is designated for. Praising God. Its not really anyone elses job to get me to sing. If I dont praise God during P&W thats on me. I do believe that some thing have grown to the ridiculous. The effects shows, , foggers misters hazers, ( my pet peeves) have led to a watch only scenario. I just cant understand how they add one thing to the worship service. As for not knowing the songs, maybe you should check your radio presets, maybe if Beiber, Beyonce and Kanye is all thats on your dail, maybe thats why you dont know that song. Worshipping is MY responsibility, the P&W group just give me an avenue to express it. This article has some great points and is worthy of reading…The bus driver just pulls up to my stop, not his resposibilty to make me get on. If you stopped singing at church, you may be the reason why…
Fine points. Yet the one about, ‘singing songs the people know’ makes common sense….far too many churches are singing the SAME songs today that they were singing 30 yrs. ago–rarely adding new ones. This causes great participatory fatigue (if not downright frustration) in most churches. Familiar is good….redundant is something else.
This was sad for me to hear and made me really glad about where I worship. I belong to a Quaker meeting. We don’t sing during worship at all (unless someone is spontaneously moved by the Spirit), but mine does have 15 minutes of congregational “call out your favorite from the hymnal” singing each week before worship. If nobody who can play piano is in that day or the piano player who is there doesn’t know the song, we just go a capella.
We don’t sit with a stage “watch what they do” kind of arrangement. We have our pews arranged into a square, expecting everyone to participate.