Graham Kendrick - Why Aren't We Singing? Graham talks about participation in worship services video free download

Jodee McCabe

We have NO problem with this in our church! But in some I have visited, I have found it impossible to sing b/c the "worship team" is SO LOUD, I can't even HEAR myself sing...and I'm not exaggerating here....this is truth. (A large church in the S.E. Florida area comes to mind) Also...many people want to SEE the music, not just the words. That privilege has been lost....when was the last church you attended that used hymnals or even chorus books? I'm not against "praise songs" or the "new hymnology" at all.....but I do believe that as a whole, the Christian Church still has a lot to learn in terms of being thoughtful and respectful of each other and the varied tastes in music. We all need to be a lot more humble in our view of worship...otherwise, how can it be acceptable to God?

Terrence Brown

I believe that many churches lack cultural and musical variety, some songs are great and demand complexity, and some demand simplicity. Many churches don't teach worship or how to worship and by not doing that we are demanding from the congregation something they don't even understand. By respecting this variety, and using the performance model with more than 3 voices you bring a familiar variety to more worshipers.

saeriellyn

People don't sing because the music isn't written with the congregation in mind anymore. I ache for the days of hymns, led by a choir, singing the rich songs that everyone knew because they'd been singing them all their lives. It didn't matter that their melodies were complex - their complexity, in fact, made them memorable, instead of a constant barrage of same-sounding choruses moving endlessly through G, D, and C chords. There were parts for every vocal level instead of everything being written to support a tenor lead. I remember, as a child, listening in awe as the adults around me broke into harmonies and counterpoints because they actually had the music in front of them and had a choir, where all parts were represented, to follow. Those songs wove into my soul, a comforting bedrock of emotional and spiritual foundation.Now I get a weekly concert, with songs in keys I cannot sing with any comfort as a soprano, whose longevity is dictated apparently by their popularity and whether the compilation CD is still selling. New pieces are introduced on a weekly basis and we are left staring at screens, with no idea of the melody or rhythm of the words printed there, expected to stumble along and "pick it up" as the band plays. While not everyone can read music, I, for one, learned to read music by singing hymns in church, and I suspect more people could if given the opportunity.Centuries of hymnody down the toilet in three generations because we've had our musical tastes formed by the pop industry and the church has hopped right onto the bandwagon. Interesting how the switch to "contemporary" music has made people less likely to participate, rather than more. I yearn to return to the great legacy of worship left behind by centuries of trained and gifted musicians and songwriters, perhaps played on modern instruments and mixed in with the best of new songs. I don't know why this is so hard to accomplish or find.

vpfluke

As an Episcopalian, I expect that anything we sing will have text & music in front of me. Unfortunately, I can read music, but it takes a long time for me to get it just by listening (8-10 verses). So, if I have to crane my head up to see a screen showing text, and if I have problems getting the pitch from the people around me, I just stop singing.

philmcnz

Simple for me. I'm in an Anglican context. The Liturgy focuses on the community gathered around the table/altar. It's all 'we' language. And most of the music I am asked to sing is (a) me centred - ït's all about me Jesus"and/or (b) "focus on the milk, the cross - thank you for saving me. I won't sing it! Simple as that.

Deirdre Schnaar

I've been in that situation - sometimes it's obscure new songs - as I've grown in faith I prefer more reflective music and relate less to "modern worship". I don't like songs that go on and on, repeating the same verses over and over, I find it very draining.(Apart from Taize which I love, but then that's chanting really not singing) Don't like large blocks of singing, I'd rather it be punctuated with prayer and liturgy. Also helps if I can relate to the lyrics. Literally stopped in horror at the lyrics "We've got God on our side" How dangerous is that?! It should be the other way round, we should be trying to figure out what God's will is, not assuming we are right! It helps if the worship leader is sensitive to where the congregation is and knows when to stop!

Training For The Kingdom

Heb. 13:15...Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually....the FRUIT OF OUR LIPS giving thanks to his name. #FoodForThought!

sharusz

Excellent reminder. It struck me as I listened that we have done what the Catholic and Orthodox churches did centuries ago - turned the worship/music experience into something very difficult, done by professionals, that the congregation can only listen to because they don't have the skills. History always repeats itself when not learned from….

Jeanene Barbieri

Very well said!

Tim Kolb

Hey. Interesting stuff. Which songs in particular are hard to sing and which are easy to sing? Which are too complex and which are hitting that sweet spot? Just so I know when I'm planning my next set list. How much responsibility is on the worshiper to come prepared to worship and how much responsibility is placed on the worship leader taking them there? I don't know how this is more worshipful then some of the new stuff we are playing. Looks like a concert setting here to me as well. Would love some clarification. Ez az a nap! 2014: MAGYAR CONTINENTAL SINGERS - Shine, Jesus Shine (Graham Kendrickkel) Live

Tripp Hudgins

Well done. Thanks for this.

Carol Rousseau

You always bless us with your wisdom of singing in the church Graham. 

Graham Kendrick

Graham Kendrick - Knowing You at Prom Praise with the All Souls Orchestra

Graham Kendrick

Graham Kendrick - Thorns in the Straw (Acoustic Trio Sessions)

Graham Kendrick

Graham Kendrick - Crucified Man (Acoustic Trio Sessions)