LEADING WORSHIP
[ HOW TO GET YOUR CHURCH TO SING DURING WORSHIP | Rick Muchow ]
Aristotle said, “Music has the power to shape using musically simple songs. The Council of the formation of the individual’s theology. Lex
a culture.” An advocate for congregational Laodicea (363-364 AD) halted congregational Orandi, Lex Credendi!! (As we worship, so
singing, Martin Luther said, “Next to theology, singing (in the Western Church) for one we believe!!)
I give the first and highest honor to music.” thousand years. Martin Luther’s leadership Realizing congregational helped bring the song back to the voices of the Choose Scripture based songs. One of the most
participation as Saddleback began to explode congregation. In 1903, the Pope encouraged transforming aspects of congregational singing
with growth, Pastor Rick Warren wrote, “In the participation in worship with his Motu Proprio is memorizing scripture. The Word of God is
first years of Saddleback, I made the mistake decree. Lowell Mason and writers of his transforming. Transformed worshippers are
of underestimating the power of music, so day wrote music in a warm devotional style, engaged worshippers. The Bible says, “All
I minimized the use of music in our services. combining simplicity and dignity. Ira Sankey’s Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable
I regret that now.” One of the purposes of Gospel song introduced emotional terms: “The for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for
the church is gathering together to engage Gospel Song.” In 1963, the Second Vatican training in righteousness, that the man of God
the
power
of
in worship.
may be complete, equipped for every good
work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
Is your congregation singing, or just watching
during worship? Many churches have lost the
gift and joy of congregational engagement
in worship. This can be frustrating, but it’s
not hopeless. Worship is a powerful witness,
and even more powerful when it comes from
the people in the seats, not just from the
people on the platform. In their book, Lovin’
on Jesus, Swee Hong Lim and Lester note
that participation is a marker of contemporary
Christian music. Rory Noland writes, “Worship
is participatory; it is not something done to me
Many churches
Music carries the message of Scripture deep
have lost the into the memory of the worshipper. One of the
gift and joy of scripture in songs. We know Jesus memorized
congregational
engagement in
worship.
best ways to memorize scripture is by singing
scripture because he quoted it many times.
When Jesus was on the cross he quoted
Psalm 22:1: “My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?” Psalm 22 is a song! Jesus was
quoting a song lyric on the cross. It’s important
to teach people transformational songs they
can sing when facing their cross.
by a worship band.” In fact, congregational
singing is imbedded into the spiritual DNA of Council made congregational participation, for Choose songs the congregation can sing. Not all
the church. In this article, I will show you how Catholics, much more accessible by instituting songs were written for the congregation to
to choose great songs for your church and how the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. The CSL sing. Watch out: if your worship team has a
to ENGAGE your people to sing more during allowed for the use of local language and music hard time learning the melody of a song, your
worship. First let’s look at a very brief history of style in the Mass. Every movement of God has congregation will most likely struggle to sing
singing to God in the church. a soundtrack. The Jesus People Movement, it. Songs with wide vocal ranges, challenging
for example, made congregational singing rhythms and difficult intervals should be
Ryrie writes, “The New Testament exhorts both more accessible because Pastors encouraged avoided. Vocal ranges that are too high or
private and public singing as a facet of worship.” songwriters to write for the movement: it’s low result in less congregational participation.
The biblical and historical evidence points folk melodies were easy to sing and the lyrics Congregationally friendly songs are engaging.
to the importance of congregational singing. matched the culture.
Choose worship song lyrics the people can
Historically, the worship song’s music and lyric
has been vital to the congregational singing
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR WORSHIP SONGS - 7 TIPS
experience. After the songs from the early
understand. Martin Luther wrote, “I beg you
to join hands with us and make the attempt
church were written, dating back to the third Choose songs with theologically correct lyrics. to transform a Psalm into a hymn, after the
and fourth centuries, composers like Ambrose Watch out for songs with lyrics based first on pattern I enclose. I desire, however, that
of Milan valued congregational singing and feeling and art, and then theological accuracy. newfangled words, and courtly expressions
wrote specifically to encourage participation Congregational singing plays a great role in be omitted in order that the language may be
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February 2018
WorshipMusician.com