Why They Stopped Singing on Sunday

3. Blare.

The musicians’ volume is cranked up so high that congregants can’t hear their own voices, or the voices of those around them, even if they would sing.

So they don’t sing. What would it add?

The overwhelming, amplified sound blares from big speakers, obliterating any chance for the sound of robust congregational singing.

4. Music choice.

Sometimes people refrain from singing because the songs are unfamiliar, hard to sing or just cheesy.

Sometimes worship leaders choose a song that may thematically tie into the day’s sermon topic, but it’s unsingable.

Sometimes worship leaders choose lame songs written by their favorite songwriters—themselves.

I admit. I’ve joined the majority. I’ve stopped singing.

I’m not happy about it.

I know I should overcome these barriers and just praise the Lord with my very unprofessional vocalizations. But I long for an environment that evokes my real, heartfelt vocal participation.

I’ve seen that people have very strong feelings about this subject. Music is a highly subjective thing.

Everybody has an opinion on how music should be managed in a church setting. After this week, I have new appreciation for the difficult work of music leaders and the mine fields through which they must delicately walk.

Even though I’ve been in church all my life, grew up in a family of music professionals, taught drum lessons, and have a son and daughter-in-law in our church’s worship band, I’ve learned some new things this week.

I appreciate the analysis of the technical side of music, the importance of the audio mix and what methods have been tried—successfully and not.