Pastors, Delegate Don’t Relegate Congregational Singing
Growing up in a small Baptist church in the Bay Area was quite an experience that many would consider abnormal. Honestly, to be able to attend a local church in the San Francisco metro was quite the treat. As a California transplant, I have quickly learned the perspective that many Midwesterners hold regarding the West Coast. Unchurched, irredeemable, wicked… you name it, I have heard it! That aside, to be a member of this small local church was the training ground that God had intended for me to participate in. We had a simple red hymnal that our church sang out of. One of the men in our church was gracious to teach some of us younger teens the mandolin and guitar with the express purpose of accompanying our church pianist. Weekly, we would rotate with a variety of instruments (mandolin, guitar, viola, etc.) as we aided in congregational praise. To this day, I vividly remember that singing was robust. Young and old participated in praise deeply and sincerely.
Fast forward to 2018. Never would I imagine that I would be leading a congregation of 200+ in congregational praise. I remember the day that our lead pastor approached me about engaging in the music ministry. Now don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly love music. Playing and singing specials had been a huge part of my walk with Christ from a very young age but congregational song-leading? Those early services were quite a sight to see. I consistently missed “come ins,” messed up words (all the time), and chose keys that were clearly “un-singable.” A few years have passed since those early days and God has used his Word to challenge me in unique ways regarding congregational worship specifically through singing.
1) Be Intentional with the Songs that Your Congregation Sings
Colossians 3:16 is clear: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” The church of God must sing songs that incorporate and facilitate biblical truth. From Paul’s perspective, local church congregational singing is a ministry of God’s Word. Congregations are called to verbalize the truth of God’s Word in a corporate atmosphere as they sing praise to the Lord and also to one another for mutual biblical discipleship. Many pastors relegate congregational singing to another “thing we do in our service.” However, because singing is a ministry of the Word, I would encourage all pastors to seriously engage with the music ministry by looking for theologically dense and lyrically rich songs. Experiential songs that declare the goodness of God and what he has done are not off the table! But we should be regularly singing the gospel and the great theological realities of Scripture.
2) Embrace the Old, Bring in the New
Congregational worship should not be relegated to one genre, time-period, or generational preference. Historically, our church was accustomed to the “fave 30.” I remember leading A Mighty Fortress is our God. The next day I walked into a staff meeting amazed at how very few people knew this timeless reformation hymn. I’m sure even Martin Luther would have been surprised! Galatians 5 is clear that we are called to serve one another even in our distinct preferences. I encourage you to not walk into music planning by catering to one generation over the next. Great is Thy Faithfulness is a hymn that has ministered to the hearts of many in our congregation. While I may appreciate His Mercy is More or enjoy singing The Lion in the Lamb; our church can display unity with the universal church throughout time by embracing the works of many eras. Conversely, there are many new songs that we can use and should use for the church today! Pastors and ministry leaders, embrace the old hymns and songs but bring in the new!
3) Rotate. Rotate. Rotate.
If you lead the music ministry, recognize that you may not be the most musically gifted individual and that is ok! Our music team is incredibly diverse. We have some who are classically trained while others enjoy worship music. Over the past year, I have recognized that the unique diversity of our team should be highlighted and their input should be valued. We have opted to mix our musicians and singers throughout the month. This relieves burnout and allows many in our music team to participate in congregational singing with the congregation. Additionally, we have begun to work with different lead singers. There has been incredible value in allowing others to take the lead melody line as I step back and harmonize. Rotations are invaluable and if you have the opportunity, give your musicians a break to sing with the body!
Pastors, congregational worship is far too valuable to be relegated. We have the opportunity to lead our church in praise of our God. Delegate and raise the bar on authentic, meaningful, and intentional praise!
Jordan Kosinski
Administrative Pastor | Faith Baptist Church, Beavercreek, OH