The Music Exchange

Every now and then I get asked how I go about putting a meeting together. Which songs do you sing when and why?

Every church will have different and equally valid ways of doing this. There is no blueprint, and I certainly don't have all the answers, though there are some important principles that should govern the general shape of the Christian meeting. From Colossians 3.15-16 and Ephesians 4.7-16 it's clear that the New Testament writers expected two main things to be going on as Christians met together.

First, the 'vertical' engagement between God and his people. This happens as the Word is read and as we pray and sing to God in response to that Word. Second, the 'horizontal' engagement between believers. This happens as we exhort each other in song, creedal affirmations and other times of interaction like over coffee after the main meeting. In all meetings, the vertical should inspire and inform the horizontal.

For this reason, it's important that the various components of the meeting help the congregation respond to the Word that will be explained. There will be many things we could sing about, but to focus in on what is being preached means that our songs will help that Word take hold in our hearts. The first thing I do, therefore, is go to the preacher and find out what he will be teaching us in the sermon. This is also an encouragement to the preacher to be well ahead in preparation! He will then tell me what sort of songs would help prepare hearts and minds for when he gets up to teach.

Back up the preaching

For example, if the passage was John 19, the preacher could focus on one of two truths - Jesus's loving sacrifice on the cross, or his complete sovereignty as he fulfils Scripture on the way to his death. If he wants us to understand Jesus's love shown on the cross, the songs before the sermon could focus on the sovereignty of God. This means that by the time the preacher stands up, we're already in awe of Jesus as we see him sovereignly fulfilling Scripture on his way to die. Alternatively, if the preacher wants us to wonder at the sovereignty of Jesus, then the preceding songs may concentrate on the love of Jesus. In both examples, the songs do a bit of the preacher's work for him without preaching his sermon. It's a great discipline, taking much time and care over the songs we sing, because it saves us from singing songs that are banal, or just choosing songs that we like.

Football

To use a simple illustration, I support a team called Hednesford Town. My wife, Philly, supports Southampton. As we witnessed Hednesford's glorious victory in the final of the FA Trophy over Canvey Island (Final result: 3-2, 86th minute winner from Chris Brindley - Assistant Manager), we could have chosen to sing, 'Come on the Saints'. It's a good thing to sing for Southampton (unless you support Portsmouth), but it wouldn't really have helped Hednesford's cause, and the rest of the congregation would have been confused. 'Come on the Pitmen' was, contextually, a song that helped the congregation focus better on the main action in hand. (Sorry about the woefully patronising illustration, but I was determined to give Hednesford a mention.)

Having established the content of the songs, the appropriateness of style, pace are good things to work hard on. For instance, singing an eight-verser before the sermon may not be the best way of preparing minds to be alert to listen to the preacher.

Similarly, it's good to think about an appropriate way to sing to God after confessing our sins.

If there are notices to be given, in what way can that be done so that the natural flow of the meeting isn't disturbed?

Could a testimony or interview help demonstrate what a personal response to the Word might look like?

Is there a healthy balance between songs of a subjective nature, and songs that teach objective truth?

Is there any or enough Old Testament material?

The last song

In the shower on Monday morning, it's more than likely that we will be singing the last song rather than remembering the points of the sermon, so does that song help establish in our hearts what was taught?

A meeting may not, or certainly need not, meet all these criteria, but as long as the Word of God drives the agenda, we will be able to build each other up on a firm foundation.

Careful how you choose

Back up the preaching

Football

The last song

Richard Simpkin

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