Why Do We Sing?

Earlier this month, good friend and colleague, Lee Cooke, posted his thoughts on why sing in worship. As director of worship and music ministries at Asbury UMC, he has refined this wonderfully.

"All of us have music that we like to hear. Technology now lets us have music around us all the time. The availability of constant music is one thing that keeps us from singing. Why sing when you can listen to professionals? Well, there are several good answers to that question.

First, we sing because God created us to sing. The scriptures encourage us to sing to God and praise him!

Second, singing helps us to know what to think about God. The songs we sing are complex statements of faith that have stood the test of time. Our hymns form our faith!

Third, we sing because singing is a window to our souls. Lots of us make the mistaken notion that if we aren’t professionals, we shouldn’t sing. Nothing could be farther from the truth. God loves to hear us, just like we love to hear our grandchildren. We express who we are as we sing. Fourth (and last for this list, but not conclusive by any stretch—I’m not talking about how thrilling the sound of singing is, how fun it can be, how meaningful, etc.!!!!), people who sing together are a powerful force for faith. We are children of God redeemed by God’s wondrous grace. When we sing of God’s grace, there is a power present that is not of this world—it’s of heaven.

When we sing together, don’t just stand there with an embalmed look on your face. Sing like no one but God is listening. God doesn’t care how we sound. He just smiles and pats us on our collective heads!!!!"

See you Sunday,