Why do we do that?: Congregational singing
We are a singing people; we sing often; we sing joyfully (Ps. 100:1), and we want to continually be singing more skillfully (Ps. 33:3).
What We Sing: We sing congregational songs so that the whole congregation can sing together on the Lord’s Day. That is, we sing songs that are fitting for 100+ voices (skilled or unskilled!) to sing together. When we come together on the Lord’s Day, the congregation is the choir, and the congregation’s voice is the primary instrument of praise.
We sing songs that are biblical in content, representative of Christian history, pastoral, and written for multiple voices.
Why We Sing: We sing congregational songs because of what the Bible teaches about singing on the Lord’s Day. Singing is a result of the church being filled with the Spirit! We are to sing together to the Lord and we are to sing to one another (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).
We sing congregational songs because of what the Bible teaches about the church. The church is the people of God gathered on the Lord’s Day in response to the call of God. In worship we act as one body, and not as group of individuals. Therefore, when we sing, the whole body must join in, and so we enable all to sing by the songs we choose and how we lead them.
We sing congregational songs because of our mission to the community. Congregational songs are musically accessible to everyone, as soon as they walk in the door. This is an act of love to visitors and recent attenders.
We sing congregational songs because of our multi-generational mission. Congregational songs can be sung by young ones—they can be learned and sung at home. Just watch how kids in the service sing and lift their hands. We exist to raise up generations of Christians to be adults. Congregational singing best supports that mission in our worship.
Now what?: What are you to do with congregational singing? First, and most importantly, love your neighbor enough to want them to be able to sing with you. Be happy when someone who has a hard time singing can take part because of the songs chosen and the way they are led. Second, love your neighbor enough to sing with them and sing to them. Third, get better. Listen to the the Sunday playlist and improve your own skill of singing. This is what it means to be a congregational choir.
