We believe that congregational singing is essential in the life of the local church. The same is true for spiritual songs sung by other groups during church services, such as choirs.
Through congregational singing :
1) 1) The church expresses its worship to God.
« Through [Jesus] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. » Hebrews 13.15 ESV
2) The church affirms its holy faith.
« “…That you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. » 1 Timothy 3.14-16
3) The church demonstrates its unity in the body of Christ.
« Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. » 1 Corinthians 12.27
4) The church offers its praises to God as priests (rather than as spectators).
« To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. » Revelation 1.5b-6
5) The church grows in its knowledge of God.
« I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also… When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. » 1 Corinthians 14.15, 26
6) The church enables its members to meditate on the Word of God all week long.
« Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God » Colossians 3.16
*Based on the book The Deliberate Church by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander. Crossway, 2005
