When brethren assemble to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (acapella), varied stages, levels and responses regarding worship may unfold. Sister Silence may not sing at all, nor does she open a songbook to gain the richness, benefits and responsibilities the message of the song offers. Brother Bewildered who has only been “in Christ” for two months, may properly mouth the words, but he has no or limited comprehension of biblical terms, metaphors and figures of speech that make up the beautiful message in the song. He did not—could not—follow Paul’s pattern to “sing with the understanding” (1 Corinthians 14:15). On the other hand, Brother Familiar, who stated he had sung that song 100 times, sung every verse clearly, but failed miserably to “make melody” in his heart “to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). Two hours later, he would have been unable to tell you what songs were sung at the worship service. Sister Sing-It, who knows music, has a good voice and loves to sing, blares out every stanza of every song, but not once was she mindful of Paul’s charges, “speak to one another” or “teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16) when singing. Brother Disappointed, who asked the song leader to lead his favorite song (and he didn’t), mumbled through the song service, surely failing in heart to “sing with the spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:15). Brother and Sister Worship have prayed and prepared, singing “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), helping to keep the rest of us together! Where are you in this survey?
What Needs to be Done?
Increase the worship-in-song training. In 2001, I taught for a semester at Nigerian Christian College (Ukpon—out in the bush). Jacob, a young man seeking training to better preach the Word, was fabulously gifted in music. Once a week, in chapel, he taught the faculty and students a new song. Special attention was first given to the message of the song. He, then, carefully hummed the melody and sang a verse or two. Finally, he would have us sing with him, maybe singing each verse two or three times. It was amazing how much he could accomplish in 30 to 45 minutes. In extra-curricular moments, he worked with gifted students, forming a splendid acapella chorus group.
In most congregations there is a person (or persons) who have had music training. Challenge him or her to spiritualize the heart, prepare material on music markings and sight reading, helping brethren privately and publicly to meaningfully sing with the spirit and the understanding. Maybe have an annual singing school for a week, exhorting each member to attend.
Let each member crave personally to worship better in song (1 Peter 2:2). This may be a case of “you have not because you ask not” (James 4:2). Get off in a corner and sing the song by P.P. Bliss, “More Holiness Give Me.” The key word in that song is “more,” found 24 times. In an outline, I connected 58 passages of Scripture with the one song!
For the present, remember the illustration of the rooster that had an ostrich egg, used its beak to roll it into the chicken yard, hopped atop it and sincerely cried out, “Now Ladies, I don’t want to rebuke you, embarrass you or discourage you. Just look it over and do the best you can!” Seek for deeper devotion to Him Divine and His directives.
