Congregational singing is often less than what we’d wish it to be—or at least what it could be. Too much noise and activity “onstage” overwhelms or sidelines the congregation. Sometimes songs are pitched in keys so high most men can’t hit the notes, leaving them to simply stand there silently (and awkwardly). Many Sunday songs were written to be performed by solo artists on Christian radio, not an untrained group of saints making a joyful noise to the Lord.
We’ve all been there. Perhaps I’ve described your church. Are you discouraged and disappointed with your church’s musical worship? I have good news for you: your congregational singing can get better!
Many Sunday songs were written to be performed by solo artists on Christian radio, not an untrained group of saints making a joyful noise to the Lord.
Here are a few words of practical advice on how pastors in particular can encourage loud, exuberant congregational singing in their churches.
You can do these steps on any budget and with any sized church. My own is a midsize suburban congregation with modest musical gifts and limited resources. But these factors haven’t hindered a culture of robust congregational singing. In fact, visitors often remark at how well—that is, actively and loudly—our church sings.
Of course, hearts brimming with song are works of the Holy Spirit. That said, here are six practical means to foster better singing in your church.
1. Choose great congregational songs.
There are hundreds of them—songs like “It Is Well,” “On Christ the Solid Rock,” and “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.” There are enough good songs that it’s simply inexcusable to be singing bad songs. Pick good songs.
Just make sure they’re congregational! The five Together for the Gospel albums available on Spotify are a great place to begin mining songs.
2. Sing a cappella often.
We usually sing at least one verse or chorus of every song a cappella. We’ll also often sing one song in the service entirely a cappella. In fact, we’ve started having occassional services that are entirely a cappella. Our generationally diverse congregation loves it. And it’s the teenagers and people in their 20s and 30s who seem to love it most!
Let God’s people hear one another sing. Don’t be afraid to cut the instrumentation for a song or two and let the congregation loose.
3. Turn down the music.
As a rule of thumb, the louder the instruments, the quieter the congregation; the quieter the instruments, the louder the congregation. You’re not recording an album. You’re helping God’s people sing. So turn the music down and the congregation up! In congregational worship, instrumentation is meant to serve the singing. It has no other function. Disciple people to see instrumentation as the waiter that serves the dish of congregational singing.
4. Put all the songs in keys everyone can sing.
Few men sing as high as Chris Tomlin. Feel free to bring a song down a whole step or two. A good hymnal will help. Make it as easy as possible for a congregation of untrained voices to enter into the singing of God’s praises.
5. Encourage your congregation to sing louder.
Use your pastoral capital to advocate for louder congregational singing. I’ll do this sometimes in our church’s regular members’ meetings. I’ll occasionally even do it in the middle of a service. Gently say something like “Friends, I think we can sing louder” or “Let’s be sure to sing this next song like Christians.”
6. Take charge.
You’re the ones responsible for everything that happens in gathered worship, including the music. If you choose to utilize a song leader, that’s fine—probably even preferred. Just make sure he knows he serves the vision of the elders. His responsibility is to execute the pastors’ vision for music and singing in the church. Don’t be afraid to give good, solid, workable feedback to help him accomplish scriptural ideals for congregational worship.
There are lots of other steps a church can take to improve congregational singing. But I promise you, if you’re disappointed in your church’s singing, it can change. Saved people are singing people.