Kevin sent in a question after attending two conferences. At one, the corporate worship times were about 90% congregational with a few special songs that everyone sat and listened to. At the other, the attendees only sang about 40% of the worship time. The rest was choirs, special numbers, and soloists. Here’s his question.
Is one "better" than the other? I lean quite heavily toward the participatory level; I want my people worshiping together, participating together, not simply watching (they can do that at home on TV or video). This topic has come up a few times within our Worship Ministry Team meetings and I’m quite interested in your input.
Here are some principles I’d think about in processing this question.
1. There are examples in Scripture of people listening to others singing God’s praise. The Levites at the temple were responsible for ministering to the Lord with sung and instrumental praise ( 1 Chron. 16:41 Chronicles 16:4
[4]Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers
before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to
praise the LORD, the God of Israel. (ESV)
). Singers, choirs, and instrumentalists were appointed to praise God while others listened ( Neh. 12:46Nehemiah 12:46
[46]For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there
were directors of the singers, and there were songs of
praise and thanksgiving to God. (ESV)
).
2. The purpose of gathering together is not simply to fulfill external actions like singing, but to see God’s glory in Christ ( 2 Cor. 4:62 Corinthians 4:6
[6]For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"
has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (ESV)
), to build one another up ( 1 Cor. 14:121 Corinthians 14:12
[12]So with yourselves, since you are eager for
manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building
up the church. (ESV)
), and to spur one another on to good deeds ( Heb. 10:24-25Hebrews 10:24-25
[24]And let us consider how to stir up one another to
love and good works, [25]not neglecting to meet together,
as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and
all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (ESV)
).
3. Congregational singing seems to be the norm in Scripture, especially in the New Testament. We’re commanded numerous times in the Psalms to sing to the Lord. Ephesians 5Ephesians 5
[5:1]Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
[2]And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up
for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
[3]But sexual immorality and all impurity or
covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper
among saints. [4]Let there be no filthiness nor foolish
talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead
let there be thanksgiving. [5]For you may be sure of this,
that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is
covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the
kingdom of Christ and God. [6]Let no one deceive you with
empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God
comes upon the sons of disobedience. [7]Therefore do not
become partners with them; [8]for at one time you were
darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as
children of light [9](for the fruit of light is found in
all that is good and right and true), [10]and try to
discern what is pleasing to the Lord. [11]Take no part in
the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
[12]For it is shameful even to speak of the things that
they do in secret. [13]But when anything is exposed by the
light, it becomes visible, [14]for anything that becomes
visible is light. Therefore it says,
"Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
[15]Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but
as wise, [16]making the best use of the time, because the
days are evil. [17]Therefore do not be foolish, but
understand what the will of the Lord is. [18]And do not get
drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with
the Spirit, [19]addressing one another in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord
with your heart, [20]giving thanks always and for
everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, [21]submitting to one another out of reverence for
Christ.
[22]Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
[23]For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ
is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its
Savior. [24]Now as the church submits to Christ, so also
wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
[25]Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the
church and gave himself up for her, [26]that he might
sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water
with the word, [27]so that he might present the church to
himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such
thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28]In
the same way husbands should love their wives as their own
bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29]For no one
ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it,
just as Christ does the church, [30]because we are members
of his body. [31]"Therefore a man shall leave his father
and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall
become one flesh." [32]This mystery is profound, and I am
saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
[33]However, let each one of you love his wife as himself,
and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (ESV)
and Colossians 3Colossians 3
[3:1]If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the
things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right
hand of God. [2]Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth. [3]For you have died, and
your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4]When Christ who
is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in
glory.
[5]Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual
immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry. [6]On account of these the
wrath of God is coming. [7]In these you too once walked,
when you were living in them. [8]But now you must put them
all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk
from your mouth. [9]Do not lie to one another, seeing that
you have put off the old self with its practices [10]and
have put on the new self, which is being renewed in
knowledge after the image of its creator. [11]Here there is
not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in
all.
[12]Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and
patience, [13]bearing with one another and, if one has a
complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the
Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [14]And
above all these put on love, which binds everything
together in perfect harmony. [15]And let the peace of
Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called
in one body. And be thankful. [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. [17]And
whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
him.
[18]Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the
Lord. [19]Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh
with them. [20]Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this pleases the Lord. [21]Fathers, do not provoke your
children, lest they become discouraged. [22]Slaves, obey in
everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way
of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of
heart, fearing the Lord. [23]Whatever you do, work
heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, [24]knowing that
from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your
reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. [25]For the
wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and
there is no partiality. (ESV)
, the two passages that directly address singing in the New Testament, say we’re to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to one another. In Revelation, all of creation joins in to worship God in song.
4. Col. 3Colossians 3
[3:1]If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the
things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right
hand of God. [2]Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth. [3]For you have died, and
your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4]When Christ who
is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in
glory.
[5]Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual
immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry. [6]On account of these the
wrath of God is coming. [7]In these you too once walked,
when you were living in them. [8]But now you must put them
all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk
from your mouth. [9]Do not lie to one another, seeing that
you have put off the old self with its practices [10]and
have put on the new self, which is being renewed in
knowledge after the image of its creator. [11]Here there is
not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in
all.
[12]Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and
patience, [13]bearing with one another and, if one has a
complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the
Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [14]And
above all these put on love, which binds everything
together in perfect harmony. [15]And let the peace of
Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called
in one body. And be thankful. [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. [17]And
whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
him.
[18]Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the
Lord. [19]Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh
with them. [20]Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this pleases the Lord. [21]Fathers, do not provoke your
children, lest they become discouraged. [22]Slaves, obey in
everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way
of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of
heart, fearing the Lord. [23]Whatever you do, work
heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, [24]knowing that
from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your
reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. [25]For the
wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and
there is no partiality. (ESV)
and Eph. 5Ephesians 5
[5:1]Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
[2]And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up
for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
[3]But sexual immorality and all impurity or
covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper
among saints. [4]Let there be no filthiness nor foolish
talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead
let there be thanksgiving. [5]For you may be sure of this,
that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is
covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the
kingdom of Christ and God. [6]Let no one deceive you with
empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God
comes upon the sons of disobedience. [7]Therefore do not
become partners with them; [8]for at one time you were
darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as
children of light [9](for the fruit of light is found in
all that is good and right and true), [10]and try to
discern what is pleasing to the Lord. [11]Take no part in
the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
[12]For it is shameful even to speak of the things that
they do in secret. [13]But when anything is exposed by the
light, it becomes visible, [14]for anything that becomes
visible is light. Therefore it says,
"Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
[15]Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but
as wise, [16]making the best use of the time, because the
days are evil. [17]Therefore do not be foolish, but
understand what the will of the Lord is. [18]And do not get
drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with
the Spirit, [19]addressing one another in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord
with your heart, [20]giving thanks always and for
everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, [21]submitting to one another out of reverence for
Christ.
[22]Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
[23]For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ
is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its
Savior. [24]Now as the church submits to Christ, so also
wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
[25]Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the
church and gave himself up for her, [26]that he might
sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water
with the word, [27]so that he might present the church to
himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such
thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28]In
the same way husbands should love their wives as their own
bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29]For no one
ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it,
just as Christ does the church, [30]because we are members
of his body. [31]"Therefore a man shall leave his father
and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall
become one flesh." [32]This mystery is profound, and I am
saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
[33]However, let each one of you love his wife as himself,
and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (ESV)
don’t specify that everyone has to sing at the same time. Singing to one another could mean taking turns, a solo or group singing to everyone else, or singing antiphonally.
5. We live in the American Idol, iPod, downloaded MP3 culture, where music is everywhere and its primary purpose is to keep us entertained.
6. Our own sinful hearts tend to like it when others notice us, think we have a great voice, or comment on how much they loved our contribution.
7. A large part of a how a song is perceived is the way it’s done. When I see a musician move erratically or excessively, I’m more aware of them. If instrumentalists never sing the words, I’m more aware of the music. But if musicians move naturally and seem engaged with the words, I tend to think about what they’re singing.
All that to say, in congregational settings I’d lean towards mostly congregational singing. We meet as God’s people to proclaim his praise, not only listen to it being proclaimed ( Ps. 40:5Psalm 40:5
[5]You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.
).
But listening doesn’t mean that people aren’t participating. If we can worship God while listening to a message being preached, we can probably worship God while listening to a God-honoring songs being sung. Solos can be used effectively if they’re done humbly, presented wisely, and direct people’s hearts to savor Jesus Christ. We’re giving folks an opportunity to hear God’s word in song, so that they’ll be encouraged to worship him with their own songs and lives. We often project the lyrics to any special song that’s being sung. That’s one more way of directing people’s attention to the truths they’re hearing.
Another way we can help people in this area is to tell them what they should be doing while a song is being sung. Something as simple as, "Let this song you’re about to hear remind you of how merciful God has been to you." We can also emphasize the right things when a song is over. It’s fine to say, "Let’s thank the choir for a great job and all the hard work they put in!" It’s better to say, "Let’s thank the choir for reminding us of how great a salvation God has given us in Jesus Christ!"
As leaders, we want to do everything we can to remind the church that every part of our meeting, whether we’re speaking, listening, singing, or playing, can be an act of worship to our glorious God, made acceptable through Jesus Christ.
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It’s hard enough to find people to fill spots for solos (our church does these during the offering). As a result, it is easy to just breathe a sigh of relief when the calendar is full. But Bob brings an important point indirectly by saying that they project the words up for all to see. This necessitates the worship leader to examine the lyrics ahead of time, so something unbiblical doesn’t slip in during an offertory. A worship service carefully crafted during the week, can be undone if careful revision of the offertory is not also done. This is an easy thing to overlook which is the reason for my post. An encouragement to all in this position of service to the church.
Comment by Tyler — May 7, 2007 @ 12:41 pm