So Why Do We Sing In Church? (More Than Just Songs)
At any given gathering in Christian worship you will find that music, or more specifically singing, is given a very large chunk of the time allotted. We take it as a ‘given’ that we ‘sing’ in church. It’s something we ‘do’, isn’t it? Or is it something we leave up to the ‘skilled’ few who are enlisted to entertain us??
Cast a look around any weekend in church, and you’ll note many, many individuals simply standing (and apparently quite uninvolved) during our times of sung worship. I have to ask whether or not we understand the significance of why we make time for singing at church.
Now I’m fully aware that there are times of worship during which silent reflection is appropriate, necessary, and desirable. And there have been times where I, or others I know of, have been unable to sing the lyrics there before me - for a number of reasons perhaps. However, do we really take the time to reflect during those times? Or do we simply take our cue that ‘not singing’ is appropriate during times of corporate worship singing.
Singing has been a part of Christian, and in fact Biblical worship gatherings as long as history can trace. Although the first recorded ‘song’ in scripture is not until the crossing of the Red Sea by the nation of Israel in Exodus 15, there is good reason to infer that songs may have been a part of the expression of worship long before that – perhaps even Adam himself – not just something someone decided to do on this particular occasion. In fact, Jubal (Gen 4:21) was pointed out as a skilled musician early in Scripture. Though he was not a singer, it does not necessarily mean that singing wasn’t a part of culture, and hence worship. It suffices to mention that since David’s time onward, songs have been a major part of our worship.
But singing as a form of worship is much more than simply singing along to our favourite songs on the radio! And Lord, please keep us from devolving into a ‘preference’ culture that simply chooses to sing in church if and/or when we ‘like’ a song!
Whether or not we like them, these songs are in fact ‘sacred’ pieces – songs set aside to facilitate our worship of the Most High God! They enable worship in accord with the three historic pillars of the Mennonite Brethren movement: Piety, Community, and Outreach. Or put another way – Loving God, One Another, and the World.
1) On a personal level, they enable us as individuals to pray, to confess, to repent, to honour and acknowledge God as Lord.
2) As a communal expression, they enable us to ‘encourage one another’ in our belief and commitment to Christ, even as Paul exhorted us to do in Ephesians 5:19. It strengthens and encourages my fellow believer that I have not jettisoned the faith or given up my trust in God.
3) And to each non-believer in our midst, it is a mighty tool of proclamation of both my commitment, and of the great truths of our faith that declares, ‘Come, join me in pursuit of this Great and Marvelous God!”
So remember next time we gather as believers, that your singing is so much more than Christian Karaoke; more than entertainment designed for your pleasure! Would you choose to withhold your voice – or indeed your praise - from the multitudes? To keep your worship of God so private that you rob yourself of the liberation of letting your ‘self’ or ‘selfishness’ die at the foot of the Cross?... of the joy of encouraging a struggling believer in your midst?... of the joy of bringing seekers into God’s Kingdom of peace, healing, and forgiveness? What does your silence say?
Raise your voice and sing with us! Take part in one of the most enduring forms of worship that mankind can partake in. It will be something we do in eternity. It is something that will bring joy to the heart of God here and now, as his saints adore Him out of love – not duty! On key or off, these songs of praise rise as a sweet incense to the King of Glory… our Glorious Saviour on high!
Johnny Markin
Pastor of Worship & The Arts
#1 from Adam on January 18, 2011
good word Johnny. i would like to say that i do find it very encouraging and i sometimes get emotional when i see a body of believers praising and worshipping God through raised voices. in it i see the passion that people have for Jesus and i am so thankful for it. i know we dont all sound like them on stage, i know i dont, but God doesnt care, and neither do i. we are not hear to please man, but God. so raise those crackling voices in praise and worship for the God who give u that very voice. thank Him for the opportunity to worship in this way. and you will encourage me and others like me when u do it, cause we need it. thanx