In part 1, I developed the importance of choosing songs that communicate truth powerfully. Now I’d like to develop the second practice I believe can help to develop the praise of new believers. As a theological backdrop, I’d encourage you to read my post “A Call for Worship Leaders – Part 3.”
Prioritize congregational involvement.
Many congregations follow a pattern that elevates the platform presence of the song leader, ensemble, choir or preacher and diminishes the role of every Christian in corporate worship. As a result, music has become filler, an icebreaker, or a transitional tool to connect our rigid and unrelated sequence of “activities” in a service.
I say all this to point out a simple problem: when we fail to see the congregants as the primary participants in worship, we resort to an entertainment-based method of singing. The songs we sing and our methodology should accentuate the fact that we’ve gathered to worship together. It’s no longer about me; it’s about us agreeing on a truth and with it glorifying our God.
To restate my comments from another post, there are two New Testament commands for singing: Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. Both verses possess two important criteria for worship in the church: (1) it is corporate, and (2) it is to the Lord.
In these passages, we see the focus of worship is the Lord. He is the primary audience of worship. The Pastor, music director, choir, and any platformed musicians then must be the facilitators of worship. It is their responsibility not to offer the sacrifice on behalf of the people, but rather to serve as facilitators of the sacrifice offered by every believer priest in the congregation.
The New Testament church never gathered to be entertained; they gathered to be involved. Corporate worship is not coming together to watch, but rather coming together to serve. For whatever reason, the ritualistic nature of corporate worship has been abandoned by many churches in favor of a rigid, unrelated set of events that scarcely serve to facilitate the worship of the entire congregation.
We shouldn’t fear rituals in our worship. Rituals, like liturgy, scripture reading, prayer, and even silence can help us to ascribe meaning to every aspect of the service in which we are participants, not spectators. All too often we replace these with an entertainment model of carefully planned cues and segues, leaving the Holy Spirit little room for variance and the congregation with very little say in the worship.
Therefore, it is imperative that new Christians learn the importance of participation early. Encourage them to sing. Explain why we sing. Equip them to sing passionately. How can we emphasize congregational involvement in our musical choices?
Use music that is accessible to the entire congregation.
If the congregation cannot access the music you choose for worship, how do you expect them to participate? We often choose songs beyond the singable range of our congregations, too rhythmically complex, or simply too soloistic/virtuosic for our congregations. If we are to encourage participation, be sure you choose music that is accessible to the greatest portion of your congregation.
This is one of the great advantages of a balanced us of hymns in your repertoire. The songs contained in the hymnal were generally (though not always) written with musical simplicity. They are repetitious, strophic, and memorable. They can be sung in church and easily recalled throughout the week. The pastor who neglects the rich content and simple tunes of the hymnal neglects a great tool in developing praise in his new Christians.
Use repetition to increase retention.
I mentioned in Part 1 the practice of only using songs once in a 3-6 month period. I’m especially baffled by church plants that follow this practice. Repetition is the key to learning. If we don’t repeat a song or set of songs more frequently or in a more meaningful way, our congregants will not learn them well.
When dealing with new Christians, consider using a specific set of more frequently, gradually adding to that list over time. Take the time to teach the congregation the meaning of the song and its function in their lives. Choose a theme hymn for each month or one that aligns with the preaching series of the pastor. Sing it almost every service. Give the church the chance to memorize it. Continue to do this for 5-10 years, and your congregation will have memorized several songs.
Another idea is to choose a theme hymn for each month or one that aligns with the preaching series of the pastor. Sing it almost every service. Give the church the chance to memorize it. Continue to do this for 5-10 years, and your congregation will have memorized several great songs, but they will also have a deeper understanding of the song’s function in their worship and daily lives.
Talk about your worship in more meaningful ways than simply what we do and don’t do.
If all a Christian knows about music is what they shouldn’t listen to, we’ve robbed them of one of the greatest expressive tools known to man. Let’s not forget that music is a predominantly positive subject in the Bible. It is a wonderful gift we possess as image-bearers of our Creator. We must guard against the tendency to speak of music only ever in a negative context.
Use music that speaks to all the potential emotions.
I’m always moved by the account of Job upon the realization that he had lost all that could have mattered to him on earth.
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. – Job 1:20-21
Amidst such emotional turmoil, Job found the strength to utter words of worship to God. This was only possible by the grace of God, but also through an understanding of how to respond to his emotions.
Don’t be afraid to sing songs that speak to the discouraged, confused, abandoned, or hurting. They need to learn not just that these emotions are real, but that they have a God that has been touched with the feelings of their infirmities and is able to give them grace and help (Hebrews 4:16).
In part 3, I’ll conclude with some helpful tips to develop the musical abilities of your congregation.
I taught this session at Spiritual Leadership Conference 2017. If you’d like to listen to the presentation in its entirety, you can do so here.
