It frequently happens that when I visit a congregation that is not my own on a Sunday morning; I get complimented (or commented) on my singing. Sometimes it comes in the form of the child in front of me who covers the ears and looking in my direction wears a scandalized grimace. So if I happen to show up at your church on Sunday; no, I don’t want to join your choir; yes, I sang in choir at a Concordia.
The reason for my volume and verve is simple: I’ve been conditioned.
I grew up in a congregation where, conflicted though they were, they sang. It was a hotbed of Garrison Keillor material (both good and bad). The organ was pipe—it was an old movie-theater organ—and it was sometimes hard to hear because of the strong singing around me. I merely matched volume and have not come down since.
I realize that not everyone has been, um, trained as I was. No, not voice lessons (although I did have a few years of such); a home congregation that sang.
Since leaving for college I have visited a plethora of churches around the country. Some sing, some don’t. The church we were at north of Spamtown did not sing. You think it is hard finding your place coming back from communion? Think of the poor organist who loses count and can hear only a faint mumble coming from below. Fortunately, I was tipped off—listen for the strongest sound in the English language: /s/. Works every time.
The place we’re at now? They also don’t sing. Of course, this is the place where, back in the late ‘90s we visited and the person in the pew ahead of us was apparently disgusted with the Hymnal Supplement ’98 and brusquely flung it down on the pew.
I don’t know if it is because people just don’t communally sing as they used to. We still get weird looks at the Muny when we sing along with the orchestra when they play "The Star Spangled Banner" before every show. Maybe it is something else. I don’t know.
The point is not to rail on anyone or build myself up. What I’m trying to say is that it is not the style but the delivery which is part of the problem with Sunday morning music. Doing a remix of a modern pop song with Christian lyrics is not a solution. Okay, so it worked for Whoopie in Sister Act, but that’s Hollywood. One thing to do is educate—why do we sing Psalms, hymns, and liturgy? What makes a hymn a “good” hymn? Some of this stuff I didn’t learn until I was past 18. Why didn’t someone tell me sooner?
Another thing to do is do what you do well. Don’t sing like Jesus stayed dead. Encourage your organists/pianists/accompanists to continue learning how to play the hymns well. So what if you’ve heard the same song as a postlude for three months, as long as the hymns are played well? Better yet, encourage your organists/pianists/accompanists. They have a job that’s pretty difficult, especially when many churches have musicians who are volunteers or not trained as church musicians, per se. They need to be thanked.
Encourage a youth to take up organ or piano and to train as a church musician. Send your youth to a Higher Things conference or worship conference to learn more. Send your church organist and interested congregation members to a worship conference, a church music conference, a workshop—there are tons of resources out there.
As for me, I plan to keep learning, singing, and making use of teachable moments whenever I can. And you’ll know when I show up at your church—I’ll be the one singing loudly—I hope your congregation drowns me out. . .
The reason for my volume and verve is simple: I’ve been conditioned.
I grew up in a congregation where, conflicted though they were, they sang. It was a hotbed of Garrison Keillor material (both good and bad). The organ was pipe—it was an old movie-theater organ—and it was sometimes hard to hear because of the strong singing around me. I merely matched volume and have not come down since.
I realize that not everyone has been, um, trained as I was. No, not voice lessons (although I did have a few years of such); a home congregation that sang.
Since leaving for college I have visited a plethora of churches around the country. Some sing, some don’t. The church we were at north of Spamtown did not sing. You think it is hard finding your place coming back from communion? Think of the poor organist who loses count and can hear only a faint mumble coming from below. Fortunately, I was tipped off—listen for the strongest sound in the English language: /s/. Works every time.
The place we’re at now? They also don’t sing. Of course, this is the place where, back in the late ‘90s we visited and the person in the pew ahead of us was apparently disgusted with the Hymnal Supplement ’98 and brusquely flung it down on the pew.
I don’t know if it is because people just don’t communally sing as they used to. We still get weird looks at the Muny when we sing along with the orchestra when they play "The Star Spangled Banner" before every show. Maybe it is something else. I don’t know.
The point is not to rail on anyone or build myself up. What I’m trying to say is that it is not the style but the delivery which is part of the problem with Sunday morning music. Doing a remix of a modern pop song with Christian lyrics is not a solution. Okay, so it worked for Whoopie in Sister Act, but that’s Hollywood. One thing to do is educate—why do we sing Psalms, hymns, and liturgy? What makes a hymn a “good” hymn? Some of this stuff I didn’t learn until I was past 18. Why didn’t someone tell me sooner?
Another thing to do is do what you do well. Don’t sing like Jesus stayed dead. Encourage your organists/pianists/accompanists to continue learning how to play the hymns well. So what if you’ve heard the same song as a postlude for three months, as long as the hymns are played well? Better yet, encourage your organists/pianists/accompanists. They have a job that’s pretty difficult, especially when many churches have musicians who are volunteers or not trained as church musicians, per se. They need to be thanked.
Encourage a youth to take up organ or piano and to train as a church musician. Send your youth to a Higher Things conference or worship conference to learn more. Send your church organist and interested congregation members to a worship conference, a church music conference, a workshop—there are tons of resources out there.
As for me, I plan to keep learning, singing, and making use of teachable moments whenever I can. And you’ll know when I show up at your church—I’ll be the one singing loudly—I hope your congregation drowns me out. . .
2 comments:
I get the same reaction from members of the church I attend down here when I'm not filling in elsewhere. I grew up in a church where people sang. The only instrument I can use with any slight hint of ability is my voice, and I'm going to use it to praise God. If people are going to look at me funny, so be it.
Besides, it's hard to go to seminary and hear all those booming male voices and not want to join in.
I almost feel guilty telling them I won't be in the choir, but I'm there so infrequently anyway that I would never be prepared. Besides, sometimes it's just nice to sit there and be fed and to listen and RECEIVE. Pastors don't get to do that very often.
And yeah, I sang in the choir at a Concordia, too. God help me.
Spamtown? I guess that's where they make Spam? Where is that? This inquiring mind wants to know! :)
More seriously, I appreciate the post, Orianna. I often get the same reaction when I go travelling around the Mo Synod. Most congregations today don't sing. But most of them love it when you do. I think they want to sing. Faith wants to sing. The people just need better leadership. Thanks for offering us some good ideas as to how better to do that.
But you are also right that much of this IS cultural. Like I wrote about on FINE TUNING, "the buttons". Some of the cultural differences are regional, though. Folks stare at me up here when I sing the National Anthem at a sports event. But down in the South where I am from, most of the folks sing. I even remember folks singing along with the anthem once at a dog track! But even in Texas and Alabama, I've noticed less singing than twenty years ago.
If you are ever in Chicagoland, I hope you come worship at Bethany. If you make the 9:00 or 11:15 service, you can sing your heart out and nobody will take special notice. Cheryl and I are very thankful that we can still raise our kids in a singing church!
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