Why Do We Sing in Church?

February 23, 2005

For some years now, I’ve been involved in leading music and singing in a church setting of some sort. I thoroughly enjoy music and like to play guitar and sing. Music has been very instrumental (pun intended) in shaping my spirtual life. Sometimes, songs speak to me more than the spoken word.

But why do we sing in church, and why is music significant? What is it about music in particular that is special? Why should we make music a part of our “worship” service? What if people don’t like to sing? Even worse, what if a generation doesn’t like to sing? Are we ostracizing those people? Are we missing opportunities to invite people to our community? Does it make visitors feel weird or uncomfortable? Is it intimidating?

One answer that I’ve been given is that music is a spiritual gift that transcends the natural world. It lifts, inspires, taps into a spiritual realm that is not achieved by mere words. Music has a way of bringing us to another place.

I think music is a valid part of a church’s (or individual’s) spiritual life, but I still ask the question, “Why do you think we sing?”

Posted by pablohart on February 23, 2005 08:41 AM

Comments

i'm asking the very same question! Why do we sing, especially why do we sing in church? Music has evolved over the centuries, so that there are now many different genres, influenced by any number of reasons, but singing praises is something which is shared on a global scale. is there something I can't quite put my finger on, that alters our psychological perception that singing is somehow going to make the prayers more meaningful? if anyone out there has an opinion i would be very pleased to hear what they have to say!

Posted by peta cunningham at March 23, 2005 5:00 PM

There's something about music that connects us to the Mystery of God. Think about it - in music you have something so complex that it involves all of our senses, impacts our emotions, and is mathematically bound into the very fabric of the universe. That's why we sing, because God's created a universe in which music is a powerful pathway that can reveal His beauty.

Posted by wezlo at March 24, 2005 8:04 AM

I agree Wezlo. Music is a combination of things that is greater than the sum of its parts. Scientifically, it's not much more than putting words and notes into a rhythm and a beat. To quote a dictionary: "An aesthetically pleasing or harmonious sound or combination of sounds."

However, there seems to more to it than that. I've observed myself (and my congregation) when singing several times and have noticed an uplifting feeling that occurs. Even when I'm listening to a song by myself in the car, I find myself longing for that moment in the song when I'm in the groove... when the melody and rhythm and build up of the song all point to one moment of harmonious bliss.

What is the secret of music's strange power?
What's the difference between music and noise?

Posted by pablohart at March 24, 2005 8:48 AM

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