Why Men Have Stopped Singing in Church

Patheos ^ | May 8, 2013 | David Murrow

[Benito Cereno]

It happened again yesterday. I was attending one of those hip, contemporary churches — and almost no one sang. Worshippers stood obediently as the band rocked out, the smoke machine belched and lights flashed. Lyrics were projected on the screen, but almost no one sang them. A few women were trying, but I saw only one male (other than the worship leader) making the attempt.

[Benito Cereno]

I have noticed this in my home church and in myself. Personally, I really dislike much of the modern worship music, which is heavy on repetition and light on content. An old hymn, such as It is Well With My Soul, packs an entire sermon into four verses and a chorus. Today's music seems content with one or two harmless, and ultimately meaningless, verses with a seven word chorus that repeats a dozen times. Worship bands also play at an exceedingly high volume, so even if I were to sing I wouldn't be able to hear myself. They are also tuning at such a high pitch that there is no way I can sing along. So, I'll go to church tomorrow morning and stand when everyone stands, but you'll more than likely see me mouthing the words or standing there with my hands in my pockets, waiting for the band to throw me a bone by singing Blessed Assurance or Come Thou Fount once a month.

[1riot1ranger]

you want to sing. get thee to a church of Christ

[Alex Murphy]

An old hymn, such as It is Well With My Soul, packs an entire sermon into four verses and a chorus. Today's music seems content with one or two harmless, and ultimately meaningless, verses with a seven word chorus that repeats a dozen times. Worship bands also play at an exceedingly high volume, so even if I were to sing I wouldn't be able to hear myself. They are also tuning at such a high pitch that there is no way I can sing along.

Agreed on all points!

[freedomfiter2]

Good points. That’s why our church sings a Capella.

[Fzob]

Worshippers stood obediently as the band rocked out, the smoke machine belched and lights flashed.

Smoke machines and flashing lights at a worship service? Really? No one singing as part of worship? This does not sound like a Christian church to me.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Bring a vuvuzela next time!

[Jack Hydrazine]

It’ll certainly wake up all those sleeping in the pews and motivate them to sing.

[bboop]

EXACTLY!! The banal ditties and rock n roll performances only appeal to a few - and perhaps to the musicians. They are repetitious and stupid. It is Well With My Soul - now there’s meat and potatoes, served with reverence to the Lord.

I used to look around the congregation at our last church - a huge mega-church, and see these wonderful men, rocks of the community - silent. They are not going to rock and roll with the 25 year olds. It is not dignified, it is not them. They have come to honor the Lord, not to relive their youth.

We go to the no-music mass, only.

[centurion316]

Hobgoblin nor foul fiend Can daunt his spirit, He knows he at the end Shall life inherit. Then fancies fly away, He’ll fear not what men say, He’ll labor night and day To be a pilgrim.

This will suit on any a Sunday (He Who Would Valiant Be)

[bboop]

EXACTLY!! The banal ditties and rock n roll performances only appeal to a few - and perhaps to the musicians. They are repetitious and stupid. It is Well With My Soul - now there’s meat and potatoes, served with reverence to the Lord.

I used to look around the congregation at our last church - a huge mega-church, and see these wonderful men, rocks of the community - silent. They are not going to rock and roll with the 25 year olds. It is not dignified, it is not them. They have come to honor the Lord, not to relive their youth.

We go to the no-music mass, only.

[GeronL]

I hate loud, rock-ish music

[PAR35]

Except, perhaps, for Peter Paul & Mary singing ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’, you aren’t supposed to sing along at an entertainment performance. So those that remain silent are probably correct.

If you want to sing along, you probably should go to a worship service, not a concert (interrupted by a brief ‘feel good’ message.)

[Salvation]

Our music at my church is getting more reverent and, yes, the men do sing!

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Smoke machines and flashing lights at a worship service?

You've never been to Superfun Rock Band Church?

[cloudmountain]

Bring a vuvuzela next time!

That will wake everyone up! Yikes.

[bigbob]

No kidding...I remember getting kicked out of Sunday School for attempting to lead the class in a few verses of “Sink the Bismarck”. Well, it was working out well for Johnny Horton at the time...

[Benito Cereno]

“getting more reverent”?

Curious as to what it took to get some change.

[bubbacluck]

The men sing at our church. In fact, everyone sings. And the band is fairly loud. At least half the songs are hymns.

[impactplayer]

Many of our congregation listen to Christian music stations, so they like it when we sing some of the new songs. It is good to sing what we hear on the radio (we all did that in college!) However, this can be taken too far. It is good to introduce new music “before” the service for a couple of weeks. Singing is the most effective way most of us Praise God, so it is vital that all participate.