Singing at home should NOT be viewed as a substitute for corporate singing, it should be viewed and preparation for more intelligent and affectionate singing at the church house.
By now, nearly 10 months into a global “state of emergency”, declared by national leaders, most state Governors, and local municipalities, we are still finding many churches functioning as partial gatherings or still only online services.
I am not shy in my opinion of this. However, I do respect that I don’t know what it’s like were the rest of the world lives. Other than the initial 14 days were were requested in March/April of 2020 when we were told that reducing group sizes would help “slow the curve”, Eastside Baptist has met every week with public singing, preaching, praying, communion, and face-to-face gatherings without mandating face coverings. Some day I will enjoy thinking through what others have experienced in the various regions that have faced severe hardships from governments, but by the grace of God my local city and county governments have been pleased to leave the church house alone. I don’t count this a small thing. May God bless my local governments.
But that’s really not the focus of this post.
At Eastside Baptist we are convinced that the corporate gathering is of significant importance. Even when many in our community are not aware of what songs we may be singing to God or what Biblical text I’m preaching on, there is a glorious blessing to this community that there are still followers of the Lord Jesus Christ who gather and declare the glories of God, together.
That said, I am also sure that there is a special kindness of God to a community when God’s people sing, read, and pray in their homes, too.
For the past few months I have emphasized at least one song of the faith for an entire month at a time. Thus far we have looked closely at “Rock of Ages” and this month upon “the Solid Rock”. The emphasis is to encourage singing in the home as part of a regular family worship practice. I have encouraged households to sing the song of emphasis multiple times throughout the month as a family.
Notably, in homes where this is not already a practice, it has felt odd to sing in the home. But historically, biblically, it appears a practice of the people of God. Following are a few thoughts I have concerning the benefits of singing in our homes, too. (I emphasis the “too” because I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me, I think corporate singing – face to face – is a practice of the church I’m not willing to set down.)
A few Benefits to singing at home, too:
- Singing is proven to improve memory retention.
- It has been shown that singing righteous songs can play a big part in alleviating depression.
- Singing involves the mind.
- Singing invokes emotions.
- Singing engages the body.
- It’s been said “words make you think, music makes you feel, and a song makes you feel a thought”. (I don’t know who said that, but I agree.)
- Theology is sung before most can read or write.
- Songs are memorable.
- Group singing enables expressions
- Group singing is a complex activity that requires cooperation.
- Group singing expresses a common purpose.
In his classic work “the Church in the Home” Bible commentary author, Matthew Henry said, “If every family were a praying family, public prayers would be better joined in more intelligently and more affectionately.”
I agree and would include singing in that observation.
If every family were a singing family, public singing would be better joined in more intelligently and more affectionately.
Gather your household and sing, then gather with other households this Sunday and sing more intelligently and more affectionately.
Theology is sung before most can read or write.