I just finished reading an article from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership which stated that music can be the single greatest factor in determining how people feel in church. The authors, Father Michael White and Tom Corcoran, wrote that music has the power to make people feel satisfied or dissatisfied. It also has the power to make people feel like they’re part of the movement of growing disciples that we want all our churches to be. Simply put, their thesis was that congregational singing seems to be a reliable bellwether for church health. Coming to church and not singing is like going to the gym and not working out. We have to sing! When a church is worshipping God together through song, in a sincere and selfless way, it can be life-changing. The authors shared it is all about discovering what music works in your setting. Music should not be the personal preferences of the pastor or the music director, or the demands from the pews, or even the stated preferences of the majority. The music must be all about attracting the lost in the community and growing disciples through worship. The authors shared to get where you need to be musically isn’t about talent or luck or even money. It’s about
consistently following a few basic principles:
* Make sure you have the best musicians you can find (paid or volunteer) and use them; do the difficult things and ask people who are holding your program down or even making it worse to step aside. Face the hard facts and lean into the conflict in order to advance your program.
* Raise your music and musicians up in prayer.
* Whatever the style, make sure your music is worshipful.
* Take care with the selection of your music and do it in view of the liturgy as well as the lost.
* Don’t be afraid to repeat music from week to week. In loving ways, encourage your congregation to sing, and sing with them.
With these thoughts in mind, let us welcome Dr. Shane Robertson as our new Director of Music and let us sing!
In Christ,
Kurt