I take “Worship Musician” magazine. I can thoroughly recommend it.  If you would like to subscribe, click here.  And no, I don’t have any commercial links to the magazine! 

An article I read in the January 2019 edition (vol 17) was titled, “6 mistakes that keep your church from singing” by Jon Nicol.  I was intrigued. The churches I serve sing well by and large. But they don’t always sing well. And, it’s clear that some people are less engaged with the musical side of worship than looks healthy to me.  What to do? 

I certainly don’t want to berate the congregation when they are not engaged in the singing. Neither do I want to bully individuals into participation!

There is a better way. I think you will find the six tips helpful. They may not all apply in your situation, but it’s worth using them to review the areas which might be hindering your church from fully embracing and enjoying all of what corporate musical worship has to offer.

Last week we talked about, “Too loud/too soft”, this week we are wrapping up.

In his conclusion John says this,

“Do you want the unvarnished truth? In many churches, it’s far easier to sing for and at the congregation than it is to get them to sing with you to the Lord. But we no longer need the “priestly go-between” to do our worship for us. Our role is not to be musical mediators. It’s to be lead worshippers who love the congregation and create the best possible environment that encourages them to sing to the Lord from their hearts.”

What do you find hinders congregations from singing? Please add your thoughts based on your local situation and personal experience.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John