Category: Song Leaders

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An Impossible Dream…June 30th

One of my favorite, secular songs was sung by Jim Nabors in November, 1967 on the TV sitcom ‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.’  The song, ‘The Quest’ was originally written and sung in 1965 for the musical, Man of LaMancha.  You might remember it better by the title of our lesson this Sunday morning at Waterview, ‘Impossible Dream’.  But what is the Impossible Dream?

Sunday morning, June 30th, we’ll consider how the New Testament is a pattern of God’s thinking.  We look into the mind of God as we read His word.  But how can we duplicate that message today.  What should we focus on as we strive to follow His commands, or is that…an impossible dream?

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, June 30, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“In Moments Like These” – 239ebb and flow

If we are honest with ourselves, there times when you feel closer to God than other times.  What causes that feeling of euphoria?  What gives us that emotional lift as opposed to the times when we are feeling down.  Circumstances can change in our life, and like the ocean tide, our days will ebb and flow.  But when you find yourself lifted up and feeling God’s love and strength, sing a song of praise.  “In moments like these, I sing out a song, I sing out a love song to Jesus…”

“Faith is the Victory” – 469

This spiritual songs recalls the armor of God and the battle we Christians should be preparing for.  First, we sing to admonish the congregation to join in the spiritual battle against forces of darkness.  The message is poetically clear in the first verse; as soldiers we are camped next to the hills of light (heaven), but we must be ready to go to war.  Our fight is against the ‘night’ lest it should overcome the glowing skies (which seems to be the current situation in our society).   How should we be fighting?  John Yates wrote, “…let all our strength be hurled.”  Not a timid approach in this spiritual battle.  But note verse 3 (missing from many of our hymnals)… “On every hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array.  Let tents of ease be left behind and onward to the fray.  Salvation’s helmet on each head with truth all girt about, the earth shall tremble neath our tread, and echo with our shout…”   With our faith in God, we have victory!

“O Sacred Head” – 318

An old hymn remembering Christ’s death.  Poetically and musically it may be a challenge, but don’t lose the message in the old English.  The video (below) adds an extra verse that is not in most hymnals, but is striking none the less.  Christ’s sacrifice leaves us all speechless as we consider His love.  Perhaps, the second verse says it best; “What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend, for this Thy dying sorrow; Thy pity without end…”

 

“Boundless Love” – 325

The love of God, as we sing in this song, is ‘boundless.’  Defined, boundless would mean without limits.  God’s love for us cannot be measured, and as we sing the second verse we’ll transition from boundless love to boundless grace.  Boundless grace…because of Calvary.

“Savior, Thy Dying Love” – 667

Following the Lord’s Supper and during the passing of the collection plate we’ll sing this hymn from the 1860’s.  It serves as a good reminder of the sacrifice (our Savior’s dying love).  Notice the last line from the first three verses; “…some offering bring Thee now, something for Thee.”, “…some song to raise or prayer, something for Thee.” “…some wanderer sought and won, something for Thee.”  But now read the last line of the fourth verse.  “And when Thy face I see, my ransomed soul will be, through all eternity, something for Thee.”  You give a few dollars when the collection plate comes around, but what will you give when Monday morning comes around?

“Leaning on the Everlasting Arm” – 589

We’ll sing this spiritual song of encouragement before this morning’s lesson.  How can we find fellowship and joy in Christ?  According to E.A. Hoffman (1887) we find fellowship while ‘leaning on the everlasting arm.’  We have peace of mind while leaning on the everlasting arm.  Leaning on Jesus…safe and secure from all fear (alarms). 

“Nearer, My God, to Thee” – 684Jacob's pillow

On occasion we’ll sing a non-typical ‘invitation’ song following our lesson.  But this hymn to our Father is a clear call for us to draw nearer to Him.  In the second verse of this hymn, notice the reference Genesis 28:11; “When he (Jacob) reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.” We’ll sing, “Tho like a wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee…”  Perhaps this is more of an invitation song than we have thought…to be nearer to our God is the call we should all be responding to.

“Surround Us, Lord” – no book

Taken from Psalm 125:2, this ‘psalm’ serves as a great ‘spiritual song’ of encouragement.  The singer and the listener are called to hear and understand that, “…we need to be in Your (God’s) presence.”  As the mountains provide security and protection to the city of Jerusalem, so the Lord provides and protects His people.  We are truly blessed to be called child of God.

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Congregational Singing

song leader...Last week, in his article about Hymnology, Richard Dent sited 7 rules for congregational singing.  Taking a deeper look into these principles might inspire us to consider how we sing on Sunday morning, and how (do) we prepare ourselves to sing.

We mentioned the book by John & Charles Wesley from the early 1700’s, “Selected Writings and Hymns”.  This collection of ideas and prayers comes from the founder of Arminian Methodism, yet some of his ideas shared here speak to us today.  We’ll consider the exact wording and explore it’s deeper meaning.  Keep in mind, our focus concerning words of directions for congregational singing must come from the word of God.

John Wesley’s Rules for Singing

From John Wesley’s Select Hymns, 1761

1) Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterward learn as many as you please.  The encouragement here is for the reader to learn Wesley’s songs as printed in his book.  We would agree with the premise to ‘Learn these tunes…’ provided the tunes are scriptural in content.  If we find a psalm, hymn or spiritual song that doesn’t resonate with the truth of God’s word, exercise caution before adding it to your repertoire.  Learn as many as you please is good advice.  But the basis for this charge is to sing songs of praise to God.  If we would do that one thing alone (sing to God) our nation would be turning more toward Him.question mark

2) Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.  Unfortunately I don’t espouse the language in this ‘rule’ for singing.  Though spoken as a true musician, the lay singer will often adjust the melody line or add supporting harmony to a song.  God’s instruction to us when we sing is to sing with our hearts, not our vocal cords.  Often times we get caught up in the sound of it rather than focus on the heart of singing.

3) Sing all.  See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can.  Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you.  If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.  This is sound advice!  ‘Sing all’ is a call for everyone to sing.  Not just those who can or have the ‘best voices’, but all should be singing.  Our culture seems to focus on the ‘idols’ and glamorize the talent, but when we read Colossians 3:16, the instruction is to be ‘…teaching and admonishing one another…singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.’  Paul doesn’t say, ‘if you want to,’ the command is for us to sing; and so we should, sing all!

4) Sing lustily and with a good courage.  Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength.  Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.dull person  Two thoughts here; be of good courage and sing lustily (powerful or strong) are a great admonition.  While some refuse to sing, others sing with apathy in their voices.  And yet how often do we sing out the songs of the world, but mumble or refuse to sing songs of praise?  Considering this was written almost 250 years ago, I find it interesting Wesley refers to worldly songs as ‘songs of Satan.’  Can we find praise to God in secular tunes (western, rock, rap, etc)?  Perhaps, since many of those musical numbers carry us away from God, then Wesley was right in saying they are songs of Satan.  And yet those are the songs that are sung to establish the ‘best singers’ in our society…do we need to rethink our singing?

5) Sing modestly.  Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you many not destroy harmony, but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.  Almost seems like a counter to the previous rule to ‘sing lustily’, but consider the reason for singing with modesty.  Do we come together to out sing each other?  Are you singing tenor so others can hear you for your praise?  Sopranos might have the hardest time with this ‘rule’ in that they have the lead voice.  We must be aware that our songs are not for us, but for our God.  Remember that we are offering ‘…a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.’  Will we offer that sacrifice with strength and power or with selfish intentions?

6) Sing in time.  Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it.  Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing too slow.  This drawling way steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.  Again, I’m not convinced this is of the utmost importance.  What IS important is the encouragement to sing together.  In addition, there is a clear understanding, as Paul stated in I Cor. 14:40 that we are to do, ‘all things…properly and in an orderly manner.’  This is case in point as to why we have song leaders in our worship services.  Someone to lead our singing so the congregation can sing together without some running ahead or sing ‘whatever song they want.’  The 14th chapter of I Corinthians helps us understand this idea more clearly.

7) Above all sing spiritually.  Have an eye to God in every word you sing.  Aim at pleasing Him more than yourself or any other creature.  In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, child looking upand reward you when He cometh in the clouds of heaven.  I couldn’t say it any clearer.  As we sing on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings and Wednesday nights (or anytime for that matter) we’re praising God.  The question is, where do you focus?  We are a blessed people to have the hope of heaven.  Let’s sing in our congregations to the glory of God and not to satisfy our opinions.

And just in case you were wondering; here’s one more quote from John Wesley, “I have no objection to instruments of music in our worship, provided they are neither seen nor heard.”  Updated from What Did Early Christians Believe About Using  Instrumental Music in Worship. http://www.bible.ca/H-music.htm

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Show & Tell Time…June 23rd

show and tellAsk any grade school child and they can tell you all about ‘Show & Tell.’  This is the time to share with your friends something you cherish and hold as very dear.  It’s an exciting time because it’s about something you know very well.  Something that is close to you and personally dear.

‘Show and Tell,’ however is not just a child’s activity.  The child of God is also called to participate in this activity.  What will you show and how much are you willing to tell about your Savior?  Is your life as a Christian something you cherish and hold dear?  If we’re truly excited about our walk with Christ we will ‘love to tell story’, and we’ll show Him to the world.

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”
I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, June 23, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty” – 72

A beautiful hymn that is clearly directed to our God.  We begin with the phrase, “Father in Heaven, how we love You…”  Almost as if we’re saying a prayer this song begins our worship as we SING a prayer.  Consider how we sing scripture in the last part of this song, “…the Lord God almighty, who was and is and is to come…” the words of  our Lord and Savior from Revelation chapter 1, verse 8.

“We Praise Thee, O God” – 2

“Hallelujah” is derived from the Hebrew as two words; “halla”, praise and “Yah”, God.  We know that but it’s good to revisit what we’re singing.  Translated the chorus would read like this…”Praise God!  The glory belongs to Him, Praise God!  Amen…”

“There is a Sea” – 556sea of galilee

If you’ve never followed the message of this song read on.  There is poetry within these three short verses and with a rather difficult harmony, we often skip over this old, spiritual song.  In the first verse we sing about a sea that is surrounded with an abundance of natural resources and coastal nourishment; the Sea of Galilee.  From it flows the Jordan river down toward the Dead Sea where the second verse of our song continues.  Unlike the Galilean sea, the Dead Sea is filled with salt and, ‘lies heavy as molten lead.’  Singing the third verse we can see the application and the question is asked, “What will it be for you and me…?”  Will we be like the Sea of Galilee and give out the good we have been given, or will we remain stagnate in our life and refuse to share the God-given gifts we have in life?

“Holy Bible, Book Divine” – no book

This is an old spiritual songs with the tune (meter) of another, more familiar song.  We’ll replace the music William B. Bradbury gave this song in 1858 to a musical arrangement provided by J. H. Fillmore in 1877.  You’ll recognize “Savior, Grant Me Rest and Peace”, but you’ll be singing, “Holy Bible, Book Divine.”  This is a great opportunity to learn a new song with an old melody!

“I Love to Tell the Story” – 659

We talk about all the things we love in life, but before our lesson we’ll sing about ‘loving to tell’ the story of Jesus Christ.  Do you enjoy (love) to tell about Jesus?  Each of these verses are filled with the reason we should not only sing about our Savior, but look forward to telling others about Him too.  Why sing about the story, because “I know ’tis (it is) true”, and because “…it means so much to me.”  How can we sing this song without putting a smile on our faces?

“Lord Speak to Me” – 771

Not a typical invitation song, but when we consider showing and telling this world about Jesus Christ I couldn’t help but think of this last verse; “O fill me with Thy fulness, Lord.  Until my very heart o’re (over) flow; In kindling tho’t (as an ember begins to burn and glow in our thoughts) and glowing word, Thy love to TELL, Thy praise to SHOW.”  People need a Savior, let’s take Jesus for OUR show and tell!

“Thomas’ Song” – 269

An adaptation of Thomas and how he might have reacted in John 20.  Notice especially verse 3 of this song.  Perhaps in the upper room, when Thomas see’s Jesus for the first time since His resurrection, the poet Ken Young, writes; “Holy presence, holy face; a vision filling time and space.  Your nearness makes my spirit race, could this be part of the plan?”  When we are moved and emotional invested in something we have the sensation that our heart is racing.  Maybe, just maybe, Thomas’ spirit was racing when he saw Jesus.  Does Jesus cause your heart (spirit) to race?  Though this song is man’s idea of what John might have said, felt or even thought, the text is clear as we read his final admonition, “You are my Lord and my God.” John 20:28

“Lead Me To Calvary” – 332

Between the Bread and the Fruit of the Vine we’ll sing verse 2 of this solemn reminder of Christ crucifixion.  “Show me the tomb where Thou wast (was) laid…” , where angels robed in light guarded Christ ‘while He slept.’  In our minds eye we should use this time to reflect on Calvary…lest we forget.

“Ring Out the Message” – 622

“Tell the world of saving grace, make it known in every place…”  The local ‘town crier’ was responsible to getting town crierthe message out to the community.  They had the job to ‘ring the message out.’  Today, all Christians have the task to take the message to a lost community.  We believe there is a message that’s true and makes the weary glad, but more importantly…it’s a message for the sinful and for the sad.  We don’t have to stand on a street corner and cry out the message, but we need to be ready when it’s time for “Show & Tell”.

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We’re Marching and Singing to Zion…Pt 2

As we continue looking at the New Testament examples of singing, notice what Paul says in Ephesians 5:17-21, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (moral looseness); but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in fear of God.” 

Have you ever wondered why Paul referenced being ‘drunk with wine’ only then to turn and write about singing?  What comparisons can we make with worldly drunkenness and Godly singing?  Perhaps the answer comes in looking at the effects of alcohol compared to the effects of God-centered singing. An early stage of drunkenness is referred to as euphoria.  In this drunken state the effects that alcohol has on the body and mind might include an increase in self-confidence and sociability, as well as an overall improvement in one’s mood.  In addition, the drunkard might temporarily experience a decrease in anxiety.  At the surface we would properly conclude that these are positive attributes.  But each of us know, and research shows that in this drunken, ‘euphoric’ state, the feelings are short lived and provide a false sense of what is real.  Yet I believe we can find these same attributes and experience similar ‘feelings’ when we look at the scripture. Ephesians tells us how we can increase our self-confidence, how to enjoy sweet fellowship (increased sociability), and how to improve our mood.  To escape worry and anxiety the Christian won’t look to the bottle…we look to the book.  Read Ephesians 5:18, 19 “…but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs…”  When my heart is right and my mind is focused on the words, the fellowship I have with the saints is stronger when I sing.  My mood is focused and my worries are forgotten as I give my heart and voice to praising God.  Not filled with ‘spirits,’ but filled with THE Spirit.

Soon we’ll look at one more portion in the series of ‘Marching to Zion’ (part 3).  As children of God we must be conscientious of what we’re singing and why we sing.  There is so much more to worshiping than just opening our mouths and raising our voices.  We’ll discuss in more detail next time…
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Area-wide Singing…

Recently a friend of mine shared with me this newspaper article from McNairy County Independent Appeal newspaper in west Tennessee.  The article announces a Sunday morning singing in Finger, Tennessee, just south of Henderson, Tennessee.  The date of this article is August 15, 1913.  Step back in time and read how a small, rural community viewed opportunities to fellowship and worship together…

“Notice:  We will sing at Lain’s School House all day the third Sunday in August, 1913.  Bring all your song books, and especially your old ones, as we will sing more old songs than new ones.  These new songs are cheap stuff anyhow at meetings like these.
An organ will be there, and a trained organist playing it. (this was the Christian church)
We rather see boxes than bottles, baskets than bruises, peace than pistols, worship than war, joy than jugs, beef than beer, knowledge than ‘knuckles’, water than wine, a song feast than a series of  fistfights, a manifestation of a spiritual out pour than the laying on of hands of a civil law officer, pies than pipes, mutton than murmuring, rounding of voices in song than the result of vices, good behavior and orderly conduct than bad manners and wretched confusion, there that day.  We will begin at 10 a.m.

Remember the date, please, and come prepared to sing and not to talk politics, argue scripture, swap horses, raise the tick quarantine, trade knives, tell big fish tales, opine what the price of cotton will be by Christmas, prophesy for dry weather, inquire into the whereabouts of Dick, Tom and Harry’s missing watermelons, recite Paul’s charge to Timothy, tinker with the tariff, announce the exact age of a mule by looking into said mule’s mouth, or explain what the Good Book meant when it said: ‘One woe is past: and, behold there come two woes more hereafter.’

Several good leaders promised to come.
Let’s have a first class singing.
A stock of new yarns will be disposed of at reduced prices that day.” (the author of this news paper article Hodges, operated a store)

Harvey Hodges

It’s interesting to read from years gone by the simplicity of daily life and the planning that went toward getting the community together to sing.  In 1913 our country was a much different place than you and I live in today.  Life styles were simple and the concern for what was important took precedence.  If we were to step back in time and live a day in the early 1900’s, most of us won’t survive more than a few weeks.  Without air conditioning, running water and indoor plumbing there would be little to ‘sing about’.  Why did folks in this time period dedicate a full day to singing praises to God?  Did they know something we don’t know?

Simply put…we have become too busy to slow down and praise God in song.  We are more interested in finding the newest ipad app rather of finding peace in praising God.  Our schedules are so full of self that we forget each other.  Of course even those in the 1913 had to be reminded to put aside selfish ideas and opinions and focus on the task at hand.  It would be interesting to find out how many came to the Lain’s School House on that Sunday morning in August.  Then again, if we called for folks to join us THIS coming Sunday…how many do you think would come?

“Come, let us all unite to sing, God is love.  Let heaven and earth their praises bring, God is love.  Let every soul from sin awake, each in his heart sweet music make, and sing with us for Jesus’ sake, for God is love.”  Written in 1849 (54 years before this ‘Tennessee singing’) and published in Millard & Badger’s Hymns, this song reminds us of the importance of coming together and singing.  Join us on Sunday!

 

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Study to Show Yourselves Approved

How much work goes into an individual’s personal study time?  Each of us know the importance of working toward a task.  It takes time, work and practice if we hope to achieve any element of success.  The student may find himself up late at night studying and preparing himself for a final exam.  At the same time, teachers and professors spend an untold amount of time not only preparing that exam, but grading it over the weekend.  A policeman who has never prepared himself to ‘serve and protect’ would fail miserably when facing a crime scene.  Any ‘professional’ knows the importance of preparation, studying.

In the Lord’s church any preacher who is worth his salt, will spend years training, days preparing and hours studying to present a lesson that will inspire and motivate the congregation of God’s people.  The uninformed might say, ‘All he does is preach a Sunday morning sermon; no big deal.’  But the minister of God’s Word knows differently.  There is a burden on his back to ‘study to show himself approved unto God…rightly dividing the word of truth.’ (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV)

If each of these ‘professions’ dedicate themselves to the task at hand, including the preacher of the Gospel of Christ, would it be any different for the song leader?  Perhaps the song leader could be more diligent when it comes to his ‘job’ as well.  How often do we see song leaders flipping through their song books minutes before the service starts?  More than once, in a small congregation, have I been asked, ‘can you lead the singing for us this morning?’  Never mind preparing yourself for the job; besides, all you have to do is just sing, right?  The seminar, Singing with the Spirit, identifies this topic of preparing to leading singing as well as various areas of preparing for ‘The Song Leader’s Job’.

Consider this quote from Darryl Tippens’ book, “That’s Why We Sing”, page 24.

“Elders, ministers, youth ministers have all sorts of meetings, conferences and associations, yet today few churches invest in programs that really teach everyone to sing.  Where are the regional and national meetings devoted to enhancing congregational singing?  How many Bible lectureships give special attention to teaching new hymns (or the translation of some of our older, traditional hymns)?  Where is the Christian university willing to establish a Center for A Cappella Worship?  Where do worship leaders meet to share their knowledge of hymns, their methods of  teaching new songs and old?  Who is helping to revitalize the singing in old churches, small churches?  It has been said, ‘The Christian church was born in song.’ (Ralph Martin, Worship in the Early Church)  Perhaps the church in our day will be reborn through songs as well.”

We can teach and we should learn, but we must come to realize that singing in the Lord’s church is not an obligation or burden.  We have a direct command and a beautiful opportunity to sing to the glory of God.  Let’s unite in this effort of teaching, learning and singing from our hearts, with the voice and the spirit to praise the King of Kings.

Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts for training, teaching and learning more ways to grow in our congregational singing.  If you’re interested, we can discuss the possibility of scheduling a seminar for 2013.

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Passionate Worship…

How do we know if we are passionate worshipers or if we worship from routine? Is there a way to determine the sincerity of my worship, or is it deep within my soul and only I know whether my worship to God is passionate or not. If we are going to be passionate worshipers for Christ and demonstrate lives that bring glory to God, there are a few things we need to keep in mind. With the scripture as our foundation, let’s consider how we can sing songs of praise that will not only encourage (admonish) one another, but be pleasing in the sight of our God.

As we build a stronger heart for worship, we must first be ‘strengthened with power’, ‘according to the power that works within us.’ Ephesians 3:16, 20. When we desire a fuller understanding of the importance of worship within our lives, we find that the outward display of worship must be derived from deep within our lives. Giving God the leftover pieces of our hearts is as worthy as giving our spouse a kiss after returning from a love affair. Too many ‘worshipers’ give God what they scrape from the surface of their hearts, rather than the depths of their lives.

But what does it mean to ‘give God the depths of your heart?’ It’s actually an easy concept; to give God your heart…or is it? Perhaps it’s more difficult than we might think. The concept of giving God something that is already His is easy. But can I just say ‘my heart belongs to God’ or is there more to it? A closer look at Romans 8 tells us how God should impact the depths of our lives, “However, you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. If indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”

When we let the Spirit control every aspect of our lives, you find your behavior is different from the world. When God has your heart, your words and actions are unique to godliness. The movies you watch and the jokes you tell (or listen to) are separate from others around you and reflect a Spirit of Christ rather than the world. Ask yourself this simple question, “Is Christ a permanent part of my life, or do I treat Him like a temporary guest?” Galatians 2:20 (a youth camp song from 30 plus years ago) could be your baseline; ‘I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.’

So how do you know if your worship is passionate or if it’s routine…perhaps even rehearsed? Christ tells us how we determine if someone is genuine or putting on front when He warns about ‘false prophets’ in Matthew 7. His warning is directed toward false teachers, but it can help us understand the heart as well; “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits…every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.” When we are baptized into Christ and walk the life of a Christian, we come closer to sincere, passionate worship. But realize, it’s not a one and done deal. I must constantly work on keeping my heart right with God. Just because I KNOW what to do, doesn’t mean I’ll always do it. We can have more passion in our worship if we are willing to give Him more than just a song. When we allow the Spirit to dwell in our lives, and live daily for Christ…we’ll begin to understand how we can have passion in our worship!

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What Are We Singing?

Singing is an important part of our worship.  However, do you know that some of our songs are clearly at odds with God’s word?  Unfortunately there are a few songs that we’ll sing on any given Sunday (or Wednesday) that come from a worldly view of who God is and what God expects.  When the world influences our singing, it should come as no surprise that we will have songs that contain errors.  Though some of our newer songs (contemporary songs) are uplifting and inspirational, we should be careful what we’re singing.  I would encourage each of us to test each song (traditional or contemporary) and determine it’s Biblical accuracy… otherwise we run the risk of ‘singing without thinking’.

Consider these three questions as you look at hymns:

  1. Do I think about the words of the song or am I ‘caught up in the music?’

  2. If is a song is counter to God’s word, how will I know for sure?

  3. Will I eliminate an ‘un-Biblical song’ from my selection, or accept it as poetic license?

Song leaders…we have an obligation to properly prepare and diligently examine the songs we lead in the Lord’s church.  A preacher worth his salt will spend countless hours preparing for Sunday’s sermons; how much time will you give to preparing for Sunday’s song service?  Perhaps thirty minutes before worship is not only insufficient time-wise… it’s careless preparation too!  The ‘Singing with the Spirit’ Seminar talks in more detail about this scenario.  If you’re interested in learning more about song leaders and their song selection, let me know.  Together we’ll take a look at… What Shall We Sing
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Can We Sing Without Thinking?

Clearly singing is an important part of our worship.  However, do we fully grasp the fact that some of our songs might be at odds with God’s word?  Unfortunately there are several songs that we’ll sing on any given Sunday (or Wednesday) that come from a worldly view point we it comes to who God is and what God expects.  When the world influences our songs, it should come as no surprise that we will have songs that contain errors.  Though some of our newer (contemporary) songs are uplifting and inspirational, they can be the furthest from God’s Truth.  I would encourage each of us to test each song and determine Biblical accuracy… otherwise we run the risk of ‘singing without thinking’.

Consider these three questions as you look at hymns; Old & New:

  1. Do I think about WHAT I am singing or do I sing without thinking?

  2. If a song is counter to what I find in God’s word, am I willing to eliminate it from my ‘song selection’ or just accept it as poetic license?

  3. How can I check the integrity of a hymn; whether it’s new or not?

Song leaders…we have an obligation to properly prepare and diligently examine the songs we lead in the Lord’s church.  Stay here and learn more about “Singing with the Spirit and singing with the mind.”  I Corinthians 14:15