Music is the universal language of mankind.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Music is an important part of many people’s worship experience. Whether you’re attending a cantata in Latin at your local cathedral, or joining in a Hebrew nigun at a historic temple, so many of our religious and spiritual services are enhanced by the beauty of song.
As a Baptist baby, I get excited when I walk into a church and see hymnals in the pews. Not only do those red or blue or sometimes even green books, serve as a good writing surface for when you’re passing notes in church (Don’t act like you haven’t done it!), they are a source of encouragement, and engagement for a lot of folks in the pews. When I was a kid, our weekly responsive reading was found in the back of the hymnal…except on first Sunday when we read the church covenant as our call and response selection.
I recently attended a Unitarian Universalist service, and one of the the first things I did was grab the hymnal to see if I could find familiar songs. I was delighted to see many songs that I had known since youth. The UU hymnal changed a word or two, so as not to offend, but the lyrics were mostly unchanged. That immediately made me feel a little less anxious.
Music has a way of bringing people together, and putting them at ease. Songs of celebration and songs of mourning cheer and comfort those in need. Music can be an all-inclusive experience…which brings me to Beyonce.
I seriously doubt that there was a soul at that concert who didn’t know any of the lyrics. Some of us even knew choreography. Everybody was singing and dancing. The Renaissance tour was a communal experience, and that’s what I believe our churches are aiming to be.
Have you ever walked into a church, and not recognized the decor, or the flow of service, or felt like you didn’t fit in for whatever reason…but then they sang “Amazing Grace” or recited a psalm you know? The relief that washes over you when you find something familiar in a foreign place in unparalleled. That’s what I want people to experience when they enter our churches.
We don’t necessarily need to change our music, but make it as accessible as possible for those who enter our spaces, already feeling like they are out of place. If you need an example, think back to the last time you attended a Vacation Bible School. Do you remember Father Abraham? I’m not talking about that new-fangled version with the hip-hop beat. I’m talking old school, nod your head, turn around, sit down, Father Abraham. The kids and the adults alike all jumped in. Even the shy quiet kids participated, singing loudly, laughing at each other, laughing at ourselves,. That’s the power of congregational singing.
Almost every church has access to those fancy PowerPoint systems now where you can cast the words to the screen. Or you could go old school and bring back the hymnal. Or just sing the chorus until everybody catches on…but the church is missing out on something when we can no longer sing together. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a good solo. Nothing brings tears to my eyes more than a strong soprano singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” But there is so much power when we lift our voices in unity.
The Renaissance Movie is coming out this weekend, and I’m probably going to take my girls to see it. I’m looking forward to the visuals, the clothing, and the commentary. But I’m most excited about watching my girls, and countless others in the theater sing along to their favorite tunes…and I cannot lie. I’m probably gonna hum a note or two myself.
Look at the videos of Beyonce singing “Love on Top” when the audience modulates the key higher than she planned to go. She lets them run with it. She laughs, and sees how high they are are willing to go. Isn’t that what the church is supposed to do with the gospel? Run with it. Have fun with it. See how far we can take it… Judea, Samaria, and even unto the ends of the earth.
Just a thought.
For inspiration check out Tevin Campbell’s One Song.
The Gospel According to Gabrielle 