If you ’ re unfamiliar with what Pub Choir is all about , check out their website and YouTube channel .
Read just a few more comments from the fans of Pub Choir :
“ Really wonderful ! Strangers singing together in peaceful harmony . God bless you all .”
“ This is what the world needs right now during this crazy time . People united , laughing , smiling and most of all , enjoying life . Music is one of the most powerful tools I ’ ve ever seen , the bond it creates between people is truly amazing .”
“ Few things in life can equal making music with other people . And in a world ripped with discord and angry opinions , there is something utterly positive and uplifting about what ’ s happening in this video .”
“ The world is in desperate need of more moments like this . Thank you for the joy you have given us today !”
“ There needs to be a LOT MORE of this in the world today ! So beautiful .”
“ This is it . Stop war . Stop crime . Love and singing !”
“ This is the MOST powerful magic in the universe ... strangers singing their hearts out as one !!”
Sure , we do what we do not for the affirmation of people . We lead our congregations to sing as an expression of worship to Almighty God . Ultimately , it ’ s Him who we seek to honor through our songs and singing .
But wouldn ’ t it be AMAZING and wonderful to read anything like those comments in response to the sung worship from our churches ? It would show how important , meaningful , and moving it is for people to sing prayers , praises , and declarations of God ’ s truth together .
What can we learn from this ? Why am I sharing all these Pub Choir comments ?
One thing is clear to me : The people who form the Pub Choirs are having a wonderful , positive experience . They ’ re feeling something profound , deep , and meaningful through the shared adventure of singing together . It ’ s an encounter . Even those of us who watch the videos of these diverse , ragtag bunches of vocalists can feel the emotion - experience something positive , almost like we ’ re right there with them .
That strong , even spiritual experience of connection with something beyond the individual is not just for people of faith in Jesus . That experience is available to other people too as we swim into the mystery of music - one of God ’ s amazing creations - especially when we are part of a group of people singing together .
“ Music speaks what cannot be expressed . Soothes the mind and gives it rest . Heals the heart and makes it whole . Flows from heaven to the soul .” ( Anonymous )
When our church family gathers , we want them to have a great experience too . We believe that , as we sing together worshipfully , our hearts can be softened to the things of the Spirit . Our minds - our lives - become more open to the things of God . We want to encounter the Almighty on a deeper level than perhaps would otherwise happen if we remained silent .
This is far more likely , I believe , if every person in your congregation is singing . Singing ! Rather than struggling to sing , or just listening , or tolerating . Singing more like Pub Choirs and less like many ( most ?) church congregations today .
Let ’ s warmly invite the voice of our congregation . Realize that their “ voice ” is more important than my voice . If we all declare the same Godly truth , with the same lyrics and the same melody ( and maybe even some harmony too !), there are possibilities that reach beyond our five senses . Beyond our three dimensions . Perhaps even a taste of heaven .
My recent articles have highlighted some of the things that we who lead sung worship can learn from Pub Choir . Read my earlier articles in this PUB CHOIR vs CHURCH series here :
A COMPARISON
LESS IS MORE
HORIZONTAL CONNECTION
SONG SELECTION
Grant Norsworthy founder of MoreThanMusicMentor . com
MoreThanMusicMentor . com
August 2023 Subscribe for Free ... 37