Rediscovery: Why do we sing?

In many declining or plateaued churches, we find ourselves simply going through the motions. We do the things we do because we have always done them. When this happens tradition, not purpose, becomes the driving force in the church. This exchange of motivation adds another layer to the church’s unattractiveness to new members because they have no loyalty to the church’s traditions and have likely come to the church looking for something genuine and life-shaping. Most people do not want to busy themselves with maintaining something that is purposeless for the sake of tradition.

So, an initial step toward revitalization in a stagnant church could be leading the church to rediscover why we do the things we do when we gather together. It is a worthwhile journey to help the church discover the theology of its practices. In this first article, I want to focus on one key element: the theology of singing in church.

1. Singing as a Scriptural Mandate

Our foundation is the scriptural mandate for singing, as Paul instructs in Colossians 3:16-17. He calls for the word of Christ to dwell richly among us through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. This isn't mere suggestion but a directive for embedding the gospel in our hearts through song. As pastors, it's our role to lead our congregations in embracing this biblical command, not as a routine but as a vital expression of our faith. This first point is simple and probably not what we want to hear—we sing because God told us we should sing. There are no exceptions for unqualified singers. The command is to sing. Pastors, if we want to establish a solid theology of song in our church and pattern submission to Christ to our people, we must sing.

2. Singing for Edification and Instruction

In Ephesians 5:19, we're reminded of the communal aspect of singing. It's not just for personal edification, but for teaching and admonishing one another. This perspective transforms our worship from a solo experience to a collective journey of faith. Each hymn or worship song becomes a communal act of reinforcing Scripture, thereby shaping our collective understanding of God's word. Obviously, there is a vertical aspect of our sining as we sing to the Lord, but there is also a horizontal aspect of our singing as we confess truth to one another. In the depressing world in which we live, sometimes we need to be reminded by someone else that, “Grace has brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home.” This has even greater impact when we lay aside our musical preferences and sing songs that we don’t care for because we know they are a blessing to others in the gathering.

3. Expressing Grace and Thanksgiving through Song

Singing in worship is an expression of the grace we've received, a response to God's love and mercy. Colossians 3:16 speaks of singing with gratitude in our hearts to God, highlighting the spiritual significance of this act. As leaders, we must encourage our congregations to see singing as a heartfelt response to God’s grace, transcending musical preferences and focusing on the message of salvation and thanksgiving. Perhaps one of the reasons that the church is declining is a membership that has forgotten the glory and majesty of the God who loves them so much that He redeemed them through the sacrifice of His Son. When we lose sight of God’s glory and take his grace for granted, it is easy to be silent.

4. Embedding Theological Truths through Music

The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:8, urges believers to focus on what is true and noble. Singing scriptural truths is a powerful means of meditating on these virtues, embedding them in our congregational life. It also aids in memorizing Scripture, as exemplified in Psalm 119:11, where the psalmist speaks of storing God's word in the heart as a defense against sin. If you ask many members in the church to recite the books of the Bible, they will have to sing them to you because that is the way they learned them decades ago in Sunday School. It is easier to remember things that are sung than things that are recited. Every worship service is an opportunity for church leaders to concrete solid theology in the minds of our people. I have set with dying saints who had lost the capacity to communicate, but remarkably, they were able to sing the great hymns of our faith as they crossed over to glory because these songs were grounded firmly in their subconscious by decades of corporate worship.

The Role of Pastors in Cultivating a Theology of Song

As pastors leading revitalization efforts, it is our responsibility to cultivate a rich, theologically grounded culture of singing in our churches. This means choosing songs not just for their musical style but for their theological depth and scriptural alignment. Our aim should be to build a repertoire of songs that span various musical styles but remain united in their theological soundness and scriptural faithfulness. In any given year, a church will only sing 200-250 songs together. We must be diligent to not waste any opportunity to sing the best songs. We must examine each song that we sing asking ourselves if the song is clear, true, and timeless. Will you be a blessing to those around your deathbed if the only songs you can sing are the ones that you have planned for your next worship service?

Moving Beyond Musical Preferences

A final benefit of building a strong theology of song is that it helps us move beyond debates over contemporary versus traditional music. When our focus is on the theological and scriptural content of the songs, stylistic differences become secondary. Our unity in Christ and commitment to biblical truth should be the driving force in our song selection, not the decade in which the song was written.

Conclusion: A Call to Pastoral Leadership in Worship

Let us lead our congregations in rediscovering the joy and power of singing in church. Let's guide them to understand the deep theological roots of this practice, helping them to see beyond personal preferences and into the heart of worship – glorifying God and edifying the body of Christ.

May our leadership in worship be marked by a commitment to scriptural faithfulness, theological depth, and a unifying spirit that transcends musical styles. Together, let's raise a chorus of praise that resonates with the truth of God’s word and the richness of His grace.