Here are 10 reasons that the Church is singing more and more...and perhaps some insight inhow leadership (not just the Worship leader) can inspire their church to sing!
1. Churches Know Their Folks
Church leadership is aware of the make-up of their congregation and is not lost in the quagmire of tradition versus contemporary debate. The reality: Every church is unique, whether in the same small town or in another city, county, state.
2. Music Style Encourages Particpation
If you live in an area where country music is huge, deliver songs that have a little more twang. An older church (generationally) will likely appreciate more hymns and maybe some Gaithers and southern gospel quartet sangin'. In a more rural area, bluegrass gospel may be a cornerstone. Younger churches may be modern focused, but are also surprisingly drawn to "Americana" sound. Some churches are hymn churches and others are worship rock and some are gospel funk friendly. People sing what they know and what moves them.
Worship leader, ask yourself...and others: "What inspires them to participate?"
Oh...and a mature church trying to gather a younger crowd needs to value the opinions, and the "immaturity", of the younger folk. A young man doesn't have 20+ years experience singing the old hymns, and they may sound very foreign to his ear...as does rap to an older generation.
And don't discount the impact of drive in a church with many 60+ members. As of 2022, people that were teenagers in the 70's are now in the 60's. They were the ones driving muscle cars, wearing bell-bottoms, and listening to CCR, Stones, Zeppelin, Floyd, The Who. They get it. I had a great conversation with a guy at church who is now in his early 60's. At the time, I was introducing newer songs to a more "traditional" church from Newsboys, Third Day, Lincoln Brewster and other artist with a bit more guitar-driven foundation. He came up after service one morning, shook my hand and said, "Thank you! I was a teenager in the 70's when rock music was really coming together. I like hymns and some of the worship stuff, but these songs remind me of when I was a much younger man in my muscle car driving too fast."
As the leadership of the congregation demonstrates a call to worship through example, the rhythm and pulse of music underpins the connection to the body and mind, while the foundation of Scripture and worship in the lyrics connects to soul and spirit. The outpouring during a modern hymn is no less real than an old hymn depending upon those singing.
3. Volume!
It is important that the volume is correct for the form...not too soft and not too loud. A church with only a piano accompaniment might not need much amplification from the stage, especially in a small, intimate setting. But, but a large church with no PA can be challenging if you can't hear the accompanist banging out a sweet phrase on the ivories.
Contemporary worship that is too soft misses the edge and the groove that comes with instrumentation and arrangement. If it's too loud for you personally, but everyone else seems to enjoy it, don't demand that it be turned down. Put in some ear plugs or turn down your hearing aid (clears throat), turn your voice towards heaven and worship! If it's genuinely too loud, as in approaching pain level or causing ear ringing, that's a problem that MUST be addressed.
Balance is important. Instrumentation needs to balance with the drums. The bass player needs to hear himself more. Always.
4. The Song Selection Rocks!
Do you have a favorite song that makes you want to jump up, throw your hands in the air, and worship with all that you are? Singing is one of our most outwardly recognized forms of worship, and song selection is critically important. Songs can reinforce the message by tying directly into Scripture or theme, setting a cornerstone for preparation and the energy for the delivery of the Word.
I'm an old 80's rocker, but as a self-proclaimed band geek and a Nashville native, I have played virtually every style of music known to man over the past 40 years, so my approach to musicality is a little different than the 24-year-old just out of college. It's important to acknowledge your preferences and tendencies as both leverage and limit in selecting and arranging songs for a particular service.
5. Musicianship Is Fairly Pervasive.
Some people have a difficult time singing with confidence if the musical leadership is not strong, especially in learning new songs. But, today's church likely has more adept musicians than most would imagine. One of the results of the music explosion in the mid 20th century was an increased interest in being in a band. Face it...there's a certain cool factor in being with the band. Put the word out that you need musicians and will be having try-outs. Players will show up.
This is where an experienced worship leader can really shine, putting together a group of musicians that become a team to deliver the music that is right for the environment. And, most importantly...REHEARSE!
Having the opportunity to view other worship teams through online media brings another level of consideration. As a whole, musicians and singers listen to others and connect not only with styles, but with delivery. We know...and instruct...that music is a form of worship and should be delivered with as much excellence as can be delivered. A solid foundation gives people freedom to sing and not worry about the unexpected key change. :)
6. People Feel An Atmosphere of Worship.
At many churches, there is a definitive focus on atmosphere. For some, the lights come down in the house and up on the stage. The smoke machine gives the lights definition. The worship team approaches with a prayed up, lifted up, intentional motivation. This is for God. All of it! Let's do this...together. We worship...the Holy Spirit responds.
Again, leadership is key here. A church with leadership that expresses an openness to worship through music will most often see their church react, and will attract people that love the act of worshiping in song, not as the focus of worship but as an integral part OF their worship.
7. A New Song!
Is there a limit to the number of country songs or rock songs that a person will enjoy over their lifetime? Do people you know have a new favorite song every other month? Will you always listen to the Beatles or Elvis...but nothing else, ever?
An experienced and discerning worship leader can introduce at least one new song per month, especially if the congregation follows KLOV or The Fish or WayFM. A song that speaks to the hearts of the worshipers can become an almost instant favorite, and trying new things is important. Some of the songs that are popular today become the standards of tomorrow. "Because He Lives" was actually a new song at one point in the distant past.
What's also fun about introducing new songs is that a Southern Gospel number or a bluegrass tune can really liven up a "typical" Sunday that is already awesome. It's like deer at a stream. Heads go up with a quizzical look, eyes darting back and forth. YES!
Modern worship artist are plentiful, and so are the songs that are capable of drawing the singer into a personal offering of worship. There are more than enough songs with the "umph" needed to add one every other week. Will they stick? Some will. Others will be sung once or twice in your church, but a constant rotation in other churches.
There is no try. There is only Do...or Do not.
8. The Congregation Can Sing Harmonies!
Believe it or not, a remarkable number of people in your congregation know music. They participated in marching band or in choir in school, and/or have sung in garage bands or church choirs over time. They know harmony. They know echoes and repeats and drops. Take a few minutes to teach cool parts to the congregation. Then, when visitors come in, they hear the congregation singing parts and actively participating.
Imagine the response of someone who is a musician and/or singer as they hear an entire room of people dropping 4-part harmony.
9. Worship Leaders Steps Aside
This is one of my favorite times. The congregation begins singing a song with such passion that I can wave the team down, pull back, and give the church the mic, so to speak. It's in these moments that hearts can truly soar, overwhelmed with the majesty of God's Word and the heart of the Holy Spirit woven into worship in His people.
10. Music Moves the Mature and the Immature - Spiritually Speaking.
Music is one of the universal languages and, unlike math or science, most everyone can speak it. Imagine for a moment a world completely devoid of music. Most movies would be terrible. Long stretches on the interstate would have no score...only droning.
Songs of faith and hope and joy and promise can reveal Truth to a person's heart in 3 minutes and 43 seconds in a manner that is somewhat unique and specific to music. Music invokes imagery and emotion, and while an emotion response is not the goal, emotion is connected closely to memory and experience and, yes, to worship. Our hearts becomes overjoyed in the celebration of Christ's redemption, or saddened by the realization of our own need for forgiveness. It is emotional to face one's own life and blessings and shortcomings. There is joy in overcoming. There are tears as we seek peace for a loved one in pain. There is shouting at victory.
Prayer can be emotional. Worship can be emotional.
11. (Bonus) On Occasion...A Concert Is OK. Just Sayin'...
