If we were as nice to the lost as we are to horrible soloists at church we might see a revival. That’s what I was thinking as I sat listening to the weekly “special” that preceded my sermon. It was an awful solo. The words to the song were doctrinally correct but the sound bordered on heresy. I knew what would happen when our resident William Hung finished. Everyone would applaud. They always do. They know not what they do. With their applause they are inspiring a host of other tone deaf members to take the stage. As I endured my musical purgatory, a visitor caught my eye. Judging from the look on his face, he either had serious indigestion or he agreed with me. This singer was awful, and everyone knew it. This was church, however, so we would never tell someone they can’t sing. That would be unChristlike, right? But for a moment I began to daydream of what it would be like if we were honest about our singing in church. I slipped out of reality and into my own little world….
The song ended. I stood to my feet and said, “Well, that was a horrible solo wasn’t it?” Silence fell like a blanket over the church. I looked at Mr. Hung and said “Seriously man, you stink. You can’t sing. You need to stop.” I explained to him that God could use him in a lot of ways, but singing solos wasn’t one of them. I looked over the shocked congregation and continued to shower them with the truth. “Every week one of you well-meaning wailers gets up here and butchers a song. The truth is we only have a few people in this church that can actually carry a note. It’s time we admit it. Everyone in this church should sing but only about three of you should do it into a microphone”.
“From now on we are going to have qualifications for our soloists at church. For instance, if you want to sing, you have to have some talent. And I don’t want to hear anything about a joyful noise. The noise I’m hearing lately is anything but joyful. We are going to hold our singers to the same standards as our musicians. We require our musicians to be able to hit the correct notes so we’re going to require our singers to do the same. It’s time we get honest with one another about our singing. Bill, you sound like Barney Fife. Mary Ellen, when you sing half the senior adults turnoff their hearing aids. Harry, when you sing How Great Thou Art, all I can think about is how great you ain’t.”
With everyone’s full attention I decided to offer a little advice: “Don’t ask your mom if you are a good singer. She thinks you’re the best at everything. Ask someone who will be honest with you. Church, we all need a little Simon Cowell in us. People need to hear the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts. But people who can’t sing need to know that they can’t. It’s up to us to tell them.” At that moment people began to look at one another and tell the truth. One by one horrible soloists began repenting of the torture they had inflicted upon countless eardrums. People brought their accompaniment tracks to the altar and left them there. Mothers came openly confessing they had misled their children into believing they were future American Idols. It was so beautiful. Never again would we hear “Is it rewound?” or “Tap, tap…is the microphone on?” Our worship leader trembled, weeping and overcome with joy.
The sound of applause woke me from my daydream. Startled, I realized the solo was over. I was back in reality. I made my way to the pulpit. I couldn’t help but notice our visitor looked as if his indigestion had turned into a kidney stone. With all the courage I could muster up, I looked over the crowd and said, “Let’s be honest, that was awful.” The congregation released a collective gasp. The people looked shocked, some even horrified. Except for the visitor, he was smiling ear to ear. I won’t bore you with the rest of the details of that day. They really don’t matter. But if you’re interested, I am available for pulpit supply.
Sometimes writing anonymously is a real blessing!
One trend in modern worship I really like is the deemphasis on “special music” which is not an every service occurrence any more.
“One trend in modern worship I really like is the deemphasis on “special music” which is not an every service occurrence any more.”
Amen. Why even have a solo to begin with? Congregational participation in every aspect of worship, including singing, seems quite more biblical and edifying for all.
Worship is at the core of what we do. Worship is a form of praise. God inhabits our praise. He “pitches a tent” with us as we praise and worship. Worship is serious business. Many many “worship services” are anything but worship. For me I had no greater responsibility or accountability than leading worship. You heard me correctly, I am the Pastor and I am the worship leader. For this reason this did not happen in the churches I pastored, at least not more that once. If you were not a qualified soloist you did not sing a solo, it… Read more »
“why even have a soloist”
Les you make a good point. Worship is corporate and anything we can do to enhance that corporate mentality is good. However, I do believe that a good soloist can lead us to the holiness of worship. The pastor is the key. He must help the soloist to understand that they are not performing, they are leading people to worship. Of course the same thing can be said about the “praise team”.
If. Only.
If you change “Everyone in this church should sing but only about three of you should do it into a microphone” to “Everyone in this church should sing but no one should do it into a microphone” it will be about right. Get rid of the “special” music and let the church sing.
BTW, if churches get too serious about letting only those who can sing to sing (solos), it might have a downside. Some might decide they want only those who can preach to preach. 🙂
We attended a small rural church for a few years. It was clear that most of the musical talent had long since fled to the big city churches. But that small band of believers did the best they could to Praise God. On “5th Sundays”, the church held an open mic afternoon session for churches in our backwoods association. I will never forget an elderly man limping down the aisle – his left side was paralyzed from a stroke. He lifted an harmonica to his lips with one arm and proceeded to offer the gathering his feeble rendition of Amazing… Read more »
Max
You identified the key, worship of our God, not a performance
Yes, Yes, and Amen….great OP Rev. Unappreciated!
I can almost hear the awful, off key renditions from days gone by disrupting my thoughts as I read this post and the comments!
And..DL..as usual you have stolen the thread, in a good way, with your customary profound wisdom and keen insight! Amen to your comments as well!
BTW, if you think it is hard to tell an adult he/she is not gifted in the way of soloist – try telling a teenager who has been lied to everyone else in their lives (including their parents.)
One of the most glorious things about the time we were members at Brook Hills was the congregational singing. There was no special music. No soloists. Just a church singing God’s praise. A slight amendment though… in the years we were there I did actually hear one solo. A young lady by the name of Mandi Mapes, who is a professional singer, musician, and song-writer, sang a song that she had written in order to share her testimony. Given the fact that we had never heard a solo there, this was truly “special.” Our praise of God should not look… Read more »
I have struggled over the years contradictory feelings about this subject. In one sense I agree with heartily the spirit of this article. In fact, I laughed out loud a couple of times reading it. But I also wonder if the early church indeed had solos. 1 Corinthians 14:26 seems to be saying they did.
I thought real worship was living for God and our Savior from Sunday through Monday by denying self, bearing our cross, following Jesus, and that church services were for learning how to truly worship our Lord all the days of our lives. Now days most people think worship takes place only at the church services and they’re suppose to hang up God and Jesus as they go though the door when leaving church services. Once years ago I preached at a church one Sunday morning and evening, I’m a 68 year old country Baptist pastor. The deacon who was the… Read more »
Jerry You raise some silent points. You are absolutely correct in that our adoration for our Lord is a 24/7 responsibility. There is I think, however, a difference between living for God 24/ 7 and Biblical worship. I think the Scripture will support the idea that worship and praise are times of intentionality when we pause to worship or praise him. It is not happenstance. It is intentional. It is time set aside for the conscious worship of God. We worship God for who he is. This is not restricted to the church service. It can be a 5 minute… Read more »
I sympathize SO MUCH with the ideas of… A. Increasing the emphasis upon congregational singing. B. Decreasing the sensationalism around choral and group singing. And yet, I must demur slightly on a couple of points. 1. In your congregational singing you are probably singing songs composed and offered by concert artists who got their starts and developed their talents by singing in churches. Tomlin? Gettys? To eliminate entirely the place of individual specialization in the musical worship arts is to dam up the source of the river of congregational song. 2. What is biblical? David (and you have to go… Read more »
Blessed to be in a church that does have “special” music and talented musicians. There only one that’s a little shaky…and she only does her thing every now and then.
Now, the church where I grew up is a different story. There was one lady who was terrible. She’d have done better if she just ate the mic. What made it worse was she was the preacher’s wife. I don’t think that was a conversation he was willing to have.
Well I got saved in a United Brethren church. They had an organ on one side and a piano on the other. And they had special music almost every week. Once a month it was the youth choir [30 and under] which was about 40 strong. They had just placed first at the Ohio State Fair Gospel contest the year before, and 2nd two years before that [can’t compete the next year for place if 1st or 2nd the year before.] We also had a bus and every few months would go to another church or venue to sing our… Read more »
and if one holds to the Regulative Principle of Worship this all becomes moot
Douglas. I intended to bring that up. Good point.
How so? Please elaborate.
I too would love elaboration. How does the regulative principle prohibit a single singer? Is it just because it historically has prohibited it? Would not Col. 3:16 put that into the possibility of something commanded?
1. If one holds to the sufficiency of scripture, it would seem that we cannot call something forbidden that scripture does not forbid (Normative principle, I know…what can I say, I’ve studied it a lot, gone back and forth, and while sympathetic to the R.P. intent…my commitment to the sufficiency of scripture has driven me to reject the regulative principle.) 2. Solo = One person singing while others listen to to the sung message… In fact, we are told to sing songs “one to another.” Don’t get me wrong, I am strongly in favor of PRIMARILY congregational singing. But practically,… Read more »
Hi Andy. A full orbed on the RPW would be great. One question. You said,
“it would seem that we cannot call something forbidden that scripture does not forbid (Normative principle).”
So with that view, what actually does “regulate” where you would draw a line on what is forbidden? I know you said scripture. But obviously scripture doesn’t speak specifically to every possible activity that *could* be employed in worship. So how do you determine if an activity is forbidden or not in worship?
Thanks brother.
I think what some have called the “informed principle of worship” is a more nuanced and helpful approach, as it helps to avoid some of the extremes the traditional dichotomy between regulative and normative often lead to: “What is commanded in Scripture regarding worship is required, what is prohibited in Scripture regarding worship is forbidden, what is not prohibited in Scripture regarding worship is permissible, but only if properly deduced from proper application of Scripture using good and necessary consequence.” Also, it does appear that 1 Cor. 14.26 would allow for musical solos, even if we are operating from a… Read more »
“What is commanded in Scripture regarding worship is required, what is prohibited in Scripture regarding worship is forbidden, what is not prohibited in Scripture regarding worship is permissible, but only if properly deduced from proper application of Scripture using good and necessary consequence.”
…sounds Normative to me. 🙂
-Andy
David R.,
I appreciate your thoughts. Good ones. Just wondering where the quote you have came from.
Thanks brother.
http://www.alanknox.net/2007/05/what-do-we-do-with-1-corinthians-14/
Thanks David. I’ll check it out.
Andy, I’m about to have to run out for a while. Good thoughts brother.
As to an example of what I am asking, i.e. how do you determine what is forbidden, see this example below. The problem with “common sense and wisdom about what actually points to Christ and what doesn’t” is what is common sense to you and to me is not so common sometimes, like the link below. Seems like unless we allow scripture to be the final arbitrar churches will be all over the mat (or riding rink).
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/10/pastor-rides-a-horse-during-wild-sermon-church-says-led-157-people-to-become-christians/
Thanks for the conversation brother.
I don’t think this is a regulative principle issue, simply while the RPW does restrict CERTAIN things…it does not restrict EVERY possible crazy thing a pastor, or other person involve in the service could do. You still need common sense, even within the RPW. Someone with a RPW mindset would obviously be unlikely to ride a horse in their service (even if they couldn’t tell you exactly why)…but someone like me, who has RPW sympathies, but does not feel restricted by it, would also be unlikely to do this…simply because I don’t think doing so is wise, helpful, or fitting.… Read more »
(insert “because” between the words “simply” and “while” above) 🙂
Thanks Andy. As one who has studied the RPW and has some sympathies for it you know that the issue is what constitutes proper elements of worship.
On the horse thing, while he would have surely said he was just preaching and the rink and horse were aids, I don’t think anyone on here could possibly find a biblical justification for it. So then it just comes down to what each of us thinks is “wise.”
Thanks brother.
Les, I’m not sure exactly what your 2nd sentance is asking for…is there a noun missing? (either-way, a full orbed anything of the RPW is probably beyond this thread, but I always enjoy discussing it. I suppose I would have to defer to common sense and wisdom about what actually points to Christ and what doesn’t. I WOULD argue that the things we see done in scripture should be the FOUNDATION (meat & potatoes, if you will) of our corporate worship. So a church that never had preaching, or prayer, would be a big no-no. But it seems that within… Read more »
Oops. My comment is just above yours.
Do churches that go by the Regulative principle have microphones, pews, electricity, and hymnals? Just curious because those things all seem to be absent from the scripture commands for worship.
Joseph,
It would behoove you to read about the RPW and how those who hold to it justify it biblically and practice it. Then you would find your answer about electricity, etc.
Blessings brother.
“… some semblance of balance is required when allowing who can sing with a microphone.” Yes, being able to discern who has a gift vs. a talent, spirit vs. flesh, worship vs. performance is key to putting anyone on the church platform (from soloist to preacher!). Handing the mic to just anyone can be a problem in various church arenas … the Jezebel spirit (male or female) desires to control the moment. I once witnessed an ugly church business meeting … much weeping and gnashing of teeth followed an open mic comment by an elderly lady who always had an… Read more »
“But practically, really…when the offering plates are going around, what are you going do?” Stop sending around the offering plate and do what the scripture says… “and the “brought” their gifts…” 😉 Kidding sorta – during our contemporary service we have forgone the passing of the plates for offering and at the start of the second song our congregants bring their offerings to the front and drop them in the plate. During the traditional service, the plates are passed but during one of the choir anthems. Still not soloists. …but that is just us. Not saying others should do it… Read more »
Yes, I’ve endured some awful special music, like everyone else. And yes, much of what we call worship has devolved into entertainment. And I do regret the idea that I’ve seen so often, that music is worship and preaching is something else, music is what we enjoy and preaching is what we endure. But I also reject the idea that singing is worship and listening to singing is not. I personally would much rather listen than sing, and feel much more like I’m worshiping when I’m listening than when I’m singing. One of the reasons I play in the church… Read more »
I guess I have been fortunate. The local churches to which I have served as pastor had/have excellent worship music leaders. This is especially true of the church to which I now serve. However, I have been the guest speaker in some churches with horrible worship music. Many years ago I was the guest evangelist in a two week revival meeting at a church in the Appalachian Mountains. On the first night of meetings, the pastor came to me and stated, “We will have some great singing tonight from that young lady over there.” He pointed to a young girl… Read more »
Well, I’m serving in a church where I’m about to attempt to deal with our worship. It is as predictable as the sunrise, lacks any creativity and we’re basically just going through the motions. Problem is my choir director does not take feedback well, he always takes things personally. But I’ve suggested and encourages until I’m blue in the face with no change. After the first we will be making changes, with him or without him. Another wrench in this is he and his wife lead our children and youth as well. So if they take it personal we could… Read more »
Danger, Will Robinson.
Yup, but we must change. I’d much rather prefer to work with him in this, but he has to be willing to do that. But we just cannot continue the way we’ve been doing it. Our worship is simply not Spirit led or heart felt. I can live with a lack of talent if the heart is giving it’s all. I can’t continue to live with apathy. Hopefully I’ve accumulated enough capital to see us make the transitios we need to. But it could be a bumpy ride
Jeff
I have been where you are. At the risk of overstepping my bounds and sticking my nose in where it does not belong I would offer: (1) Be very prayerful, this is a slippery slope (2) Make sure the benefit is worth the possible cost.
Jeff, I do pray God’s blessings on you and this situation as you deal with this matter.
Free counsel is easy to find so deal with it appropriately. I remind you that the mangiest, ugliest, and most flee bitten dog in any neighborhood will have a few dogs following him around loyally like he is Lassie.
These words are not to dissuade you in any way but hopefully let you go into the matter with your eyes wide open. Never over-estimate your capital or under-estimate the capital and influence of another.
That is the eternal conundrum. Is it worth losing people to improve something.
It is if what is there is sinful or an obstacle to the work of God. I’ve been exactly where you are Jeff. Tread lightly and walk in God’s grace.
Bart is right. The warning sirens are blaring here.
Folks, let’s pray for Jeff in this endeavor.
Precisely right, Dave. I would not deign in such a situation to tell a pastor what he should do in his congregation. He knows his congregation better than I. But Jeff, I wrote what I wrote not to tell you what to do, but just to make sure that you are prepared to have to go serve somewhere else as a consequence. Sometimes a pastor ought to embrace taking risks. Always ought a pastor to try to know what the risks are before he takes them. This is the kind of thing that can end a guy’s ministry somewhere, depending… Read more »
I enjoy solo singers, who can really sing, who are truly gifted. My heart is led to praise the Lord and worship, whenever a gifted singer sings for the glory of God. In fact, my heart is blessed even when a not so gifted singer sings from their heart, out of worship….even though the sound is not the best, still you can hear the heart and feel the sincerity, and it blesses me. Now then, in our day and age of beauty pageants and American Idol, I would agree that a lot of people are thinking that they can sing… Read more »
“I enjoy solo singers, who can really sing, who are truly gifted.”
Amen David! Long after the criticism offered in this piece are filed away in the dusty archives of the blogosphere, God will still call, gift, and sing through such folks.
Makes you wonder what is the music director thinking as he sits there and listens to some of the messages we preach. He has to follow us and lead the people to respond to the…
(pick your type of message)
__ Screaming and yelling
__ Pulpit pounding
__ Joke telling
__ Confused
__ Ill prepared
__ Other
It’s always easier for a music director to pick appropriate songs when the preacher sticks to Jesus and Him crucified. An ill-prepared, screamin’, joke-tellin’, confused pastor gets in the way of that message.
And then there are music directors who go with the flow. I once heard a song leader ask the congregation before the “meet and greet” time to “Stand and bump a butt next to you!” Our “worship” in such places must sound like fingernails on a chalk board across the heavens.
Max First let me admit that I am an old-fashioned, old codger, stick in the mud. But what you are describing is only going to get worse if we keep going the direction we are going in worship. We are a called out people, unique in contradiction to the ways of the world. As we continue to go the way of the world in our music we lose our uniqueness. Historically we have sung music that is written for worship of God by His people. Now we sing performance songs that we hear on the radio. Like I say, I… Read more »
D.L.,
I resemble that remark – I, too, am an old codger! I was young and now am old. In my 60 years as a Christian, I’ve observed “praise & worship” music ranging from fundamental bordering on boredom to contemporary approaching hoochie-coochie. I’ve tried to be open to form as long as there is some substance to it. When we draw flesh and performance into whatever form, we surrender the substance which is pleasing to God.
Next month, we will celebrate 22 years as a church. We have not had solos or any other music that does not involve congregational singing in all of those 22 years. There are exceptions for Christmas and Easter/Good Friday services, but even then, it is very limited. Our church is in the “Belly of the Beast” of contemporary Christian and country music – Nashville. I am sure more than 1 wannabe star has attended and figured out quickly that there was going to be no performing for them. It’s been a great 22 years. I encourage any of you guys… Read more »