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Rural Pastor's Talk

Give the Piano Player a Break!

October 01, 2020 TJ Freeman & Joe Wagner Episode 78

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Rural Pastor's Talk

Oct 01, 2020 Episode 78

TJ Freeman & Joe Wagner

In this episode we discuss...

our five points on simple singing adjustments to serve your congregation more faithfully:
1. You’ve got some splaining to do!
  - Too often, we just open to a hymn, or project lyrics onto a screen with little to no explanation of why we’re singing it.
  - From time to time, tell the story of the hymn.
  - Explain difficult words or phrases.
  - Show the Scripture the song is connected to.
  - Identify why it’s important for us to sing this song today.
2. Choose songs and hymns according to the theme of your sermon text.
  - Not at random.
  - Not because they are your favorite or congregational favorites. (Though this is good at times.)
  - Not neglected for fear of man, not wanting to be bothered with it, etc.
3. Ask people to sing with the passion the lyrics require.
  - Rural people can be reserved…so explain why that’s not appropriate when we sing.
  - How deep the Father’s Love for Us is a great example.
4. Evaluate the singing with your elders or church leaders.
  - What’s more important to you: how many people showed up on Sunday, or how well the congregation praised a Holy God and obediently sang to one another?
  - Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3 call us to this.
  - We should evaluate how well the congregation is doing as part of our responsibility to make disciples!
5. Ask the piano player to take a break!
  - Don’t worry! We’re not suggesting a sabbatical!
  - But, you can change so much by adding some contrast.
  - Ask the piano player to take a break for 1 verse or a verse and a chorus in a couple songs each week.
  - Where’s the triumph? Where’s the solemn reflection? Where’s the exuberant congregational refrain?
  - Start small: Ask the piano player to drop out on the final verse of a hymn this week.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

Josh lets us into his reading rainbow! If you want some encouragement for your prayer life, check out George Müller's biography: George Müller Delighted in God.

Our Quote of the Day:

"Your voice may not be of professional standard, but it is of confessional standard." Keith Getty

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: ruralpastorstalk@gmail.com

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

CONTACT

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: ruralpastorstalk@gmail.com

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ruralpastors

Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

our five points on simple singing adjustments to serve your congregation more faithfully:
1. You’ve got some splaining to do!
  - Too often, we just open to a hymn, or project lyrics onto a screen with little to no explanation of why we’re singing it.
  - From time to time, tell the story of the hymn.
  - Explain difficult words or phrases.
  - Show the Scripture the song is connected to.
  - Identify why it’s important for us to sing this song today.
2. Choose songs and hymns according to the theme of your sermon text.
  - Not at random.
  - Not because they are your favorite or congregational favorites. (Though this is good at times.)
  - Not neglected for fear of man, not wanting to be bothered with it, etc.
3. Ask people to sing with the passion the lyrics require.
  - Rural people can be reserved…so explain why that’s not appropriate when we sing.
  - How deep the Father’s Love for Us is a great example.
4. Evaluate the singing with your elders or church leaders.
  - What’s more important to you: how many people showed up on Sunday, or how well the congregation praised a Holy God and obediently sang to one another?
  - Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3 call us to this.
  - We should evaluate how well the congregation is doing as part of our responsibility to make disciples!
5. Ask the piano player to take a break!
  - Don’t worry! We’re not suggesting a sabbatical!
  - But, you can change so much by adding some contrast.
  - Ask the piano player to take a break for 1 verse or a verse and a chorus in a couple songs each week.
  - Where’s the triumph? Where’s the solemn reflection? Where’s the exuberant congregational refrain?
  - Start small: Ask the piano player to drop out on the final verse of a hymn this week.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

Josh lets us into his reading rainbow! If you want some encouragement for your prayer life, check out George Müller's biography: George Müller Delighted in God.

Our Quote of the Day: