THE
CORRELATION BETWEEN A CONGREGATION’S SPIRITUALITY AND HOW THEY SING
Singing in
Judeo-Christian worship has been essential for centuries. Even before the
church-age, the Israelites utilized singing as a proper mechanism by which to
worship God. It is surely not the only element in corporate worship, but it is
important, nonetheless. As a worship leader, I have observed the worship
practices of many congregations of God’s people. In my close workings within
various church contexts, my observations have led me to conclude that a
congregation’s spirituality is strongly connected to how they sing. I am not
referring to quality of singing but rather the general practice of
congregational singing itself, i.e. congregational singing is reflective of a
local church’s spirituality. Without grinding at the specifics of what
constitutes spirituality, let us concern this topic with a church’s overall
connection to God’s heart and character. Said another way, singing indicates a
local church’s general spiritual condition. I have four thoughts then that
further illustrate my notion.
Godly People Sing
My first
thought concerning the connection between spirituality and a congregation’s
singing is that godly people sing. Singing is indeed an effect of exulting in
God. I would like to suggest two key reasons godly people sing.
1)
It Is a Command
Scripture is abounding with
references to singing, usually in a commanding context, e.g. the command to
sing a new song to the Lord (Ps 149:1) and Paul’s instructions to admonish one
another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19). The demanding
nature of Scripture’s instructions to sing make it clear that singing is not
optional for the believer. In obedience to the command then, godly people sing.
2)
How Can I Keep from Singing?
A known hymn text says, “How can I
keep from singing?” The question posed in this hymn is rhetorical; those
possessed by the love and joy of Christ cannot keep from singing. A natural
effect of a life satisfied fully in God and in his glory is singing. Consider
the examples of the Apostle Paul who instructs the Ephesians to sing (Eph
5:19), David who composed nearly half of the biblical Psalms, Mary who sang
what we now know as the Magnificat in
praise to her Lord upon discovering her pregnancy with Jesus (Luke 1:46-55),
and biblical references such as the song of Moses (Exod 15). Such vivid
descriptions of singing point to overjoyed people of God who cannot help but
sing the Lord’s praises. If a church struggles to sing, it could be indicative
of a deeper underlying issue: undeveloped or immature spirituality. Godly
people sing.
Bold Singing Indicates Bold Faith
Second,
bold singing indicates bold faith. Bold singing points to people who are more
concerned with God’s glory than they are their own. Conversely, it could be
assumed that timid singing indicates timid faith.[1]
The more one’s worth is found in God, the less one is concerned with their own
appearance in corporate worship, i.e. the singing will be emboldened and
empowered. In my own observations and personal experience, our singing is
weakest when our faith is weakest. A congregation that sings boldly reveals a
bold faith, whereas a congregation’s weak faith and spirituality gives way to a
lack of singing.
The Songs and Hymns a Congregation Sings Is Their Faith Expressed
The songs
and hymns a congregation sings reveals much about their spirituality. I am
referring mostly to text, but certainly the musical nuances could indicate a
great deal as well. What a church sings represents their faith expressed
audibly and concisely. Certainly, there are many songs and hymns which may be
universal to the global church of God. There are, however, certain texts that
relate to congregations in unique ways and, thus, become a part of their story.
The textual theology expressed in a congregation’s music is suggestive of what
they believe and experience. Whether or not people know it, congregational
music reveals a church’s personality. To that end then, how a congregation
sings and what they sing signifies their spirituality or lack thereof.
How a Congregation Sings Together Signifies Their Unity
Finally,
how a congregation sings together signifies their unity. Tertullian would say
that the church is already perpetually unified; her job then is to merely
exhibit the already-achieved unity she possesses.[2]
Of course, a local church’s singing together transcends beyond the simple act
of congregational singing. Conclusions may be drawn from observing what happens
before and after congregational singing. Is there complaining or grumbling
among congregants in respect to the congregational music? Even during singing,
do members appear to sing joyfully or begrudgingly? Such observations are
suggestive of a deeper reality that perhaps even a local church does not
realize. Irrespective of style, appearances of unity or disunity automatically exist
in how a church sings together. A church that sings together well is likely a
spiritually unified church that exhibits the unity of Christ. Much can be
learned from how a congregation sings together.
Singing: A Credible Test
There are
many clues of a church’s spirituality. Assessing a congregation’s spirituality
based upon their singing is feasible. I openly admit that it might not be a
sure-fire way to know how spirituality developed a local church is;
nonetheless, it is usually a good indicator. Worship is formative for
believers, i.e. the way one worships is the way one is spiritually formed. As
worship forms believers then, so also will their singing be advanced. Those who
have been changed and redeemed by triune God are effectively satisfied in him
and grow in satisfaction of him. The response then is singing with boldness,
with vigor, and with unity among the people of God. Spiritually deep churches
are also singing churches. A church’s spirituality then is directly connected
to their singing.
