Posted on August 30, 2021 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters
Thanks for hanging in there with me as we talk about worship. I have appreciated your comments and feedback.
Keith Getty has written a must-read for every Pastor, Worship Leader, and I believe EVERY Christian should read.
Here are some clips from his chapter on Singing in the Local Church:
The best most perfect way that we have of expressing a sweet concord of mind to each other is by music. When we sing together as the Church, we are showing how we are a congregation of living stones. Our singing is an audible expression of the bonds we share, testifying to the life that lies within these stones. We are cut from the same elements of faith, united in one Lord, filled by one Spirit, brought into one Church, to offer our praise to Him. We are being chiseled and refined through our singing, just as we are through every aspect of our lives. We are forged together through our singing together.
So many of the instructions given to God’s people are to be worked out in community, together. Strong, heartfelt congregational singing is a striking expression of this, of the Holy Spirit at work amongst us, and through us, as we sing of the very things we share as Christ’s people.
We are reminded that we are not alone—we are members of a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, multi-everything family. We are reminded that we are not self-sufficient, for we need a Savior. We are reminded that we need not despair, for we have His Spirit within us. We are reminded that we are not the center of the universe, but just one voice and heart among the great worldwide throng of people praising the One who is. And we remind each other of all this as we sing together.
Our singing (even when it joyfully falls off pitch) should always, unapologetically, contribute to our sense of family and community and never be rushed through, mumbled through, or handed over to the “professionals.” So when you are called to sing at Church, stop drinking your coffee for a moment, put your phone away, and look around and listen to the people standing about you. You are not an only child. This is your family. You and these folk
around you are the only eternal pieces of this fading world. You are called to serve them by singing with and to them.
Don’t view singing with Church as an opportunity to sing in a way that sounds like the culture you live in, or like a past era you wish you lived in—come to sing to lend your voice to the timeless, boundless sound of the congregational voice singing to the One who is eternally worthy of our praise.
Getty, Keith; Getty, Kristyn . Sing!: How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church . B&H Books. Kindle Edition.
Wow!!! Take some time to read through these quotes. I want to start a revolution where we see the Church become unified and not divided over our worship. As I said in Part 1 – the words WORSHIP & WAR should never be linked together.
It isn’t about just one side yielding. Both sides MUST come together. LORD, please make us ONE in our WORSHIP.
I’d love to hear from you: bwelte@americaskeswick.org
Living in light of the gospel,
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick
Email:bwelte@americaskeswick.org
Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 12 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
Think About This: “God dwells in His creation and is everywhere indivisibly present in all His works. He is transcendent above all His works even while He is immanent within them.” – A.W. Tozer
The Daily Bible Reading: Colossians 2 | You can download our 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave [f]us commandment. -1 John 3:23
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
