I think he paints with a pretty wide brush here, but the principles are solid and should be considered. He lays most of the blame for why congregations don't sing well on a music team that is untrained or insensitive. I think this most certainly could be the case (and have seen it many times as well), but in my estimation there may be some other factors that also play a role:

1. Weak preaching that does draw attention to the greatness of God. When a vision of God is huge a response to this God should naturally flow from those who love Him. The primary teacher/preacher in the church is real worship leader. Great music will draw people, but won't keep them if the preaching is weak.

2. Bad sound technicians that fail to mix the sound well (either too loud or too soft).

3. Perhaps a large population of unbelievers or young believers are present and have not yet developed a love for the great things of God.

I've seen the same apathy in the pew during worship in many churches I have visited recently. You wonder while looking at the person who jingles his change in his pocket and stares to the side of the building whether or not HE REALLY BELIEVES the words to the song being sung.

I noticed this most recently in a local 'hip' health & wealth church (we have designed a "Survey of Denominations" course for our oldest daughter, so we've been visiting some very different local churches before or after our own services). It appeared to me that the congregation was quite content to stand and listen, or at least stand, raise hands, and/or move to the music. When I considered how much the service was more like a concert (Xian or non-Xian) complete with stage 'fog' and special effects and lighting, I wasn't as surprised that FEW were singing along.

Not at Guilford Baptist Church.

Here was our lineup for this past Sunday:

-Wonderful, Merciful Savior
-Beautiful Savior
-Our King
-O Great God
-O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
-O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
-I Sing the Mighty Power of God
-When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Exuberant singing this past week. I pray that we focused on the words to these songs/hymns and will sing them throughout the week in the shower, at the dinner table, and as we go to sleep.

I think there are probably many different reasons behind bad congregational singing in different churches today.

However, I have on several occasions seen churches with good theology, good preaching, good choice in music, good quality worship teams - and bad congregational singing. And often the reason is a lack of discerning leadership for the worship team. There is often too much of a "distance" between the band and the congregation. The band sounded great, but weren't good leaders. The congregation wasn't being "led", were unsure about what was going on, unsure when they were expected to sing, weren't all that familiar with the songs, etc. It's awfully hard to "worship" when you're feeling insecure and uncertain about what you are doing. You can have great musicianship, good theology, and poor group-dynamic leadership, if you know what I mean.

While I'm all for a contemporary style in worship, I think "contemporary" is actually harder to do well and sensitively than traditional church music. And what is necessary usually goes against the grain of the thought process of most musicians. I think instrumentation in worship needs to be simple and restrained. You can have good music and good musicians, but the focus needs to be on good congregational singing and building the confidence of the congregation in what you are singing. Good musicians can often lose sight of that.

I am with Matt. The worship team leading deal does invite people to listen to the musicians instead of singing themselves. The team or CM leader needs to emphasize leading the congregation, not the music quality itself. I have seen it first hand in the ebb and flow of a church. If we are not intentional about this, we will soon be like the medival church where the "church officials" worship on our behalf while we sit quietly in the pews not knowing what is going on.
IN Christ Alone,
Greg

I appreciate the helpful articles you guys consistently post. I am both a music team participant and an observer. I've come to see that we are in great need of leaders with hearts humble before God's word who are also able to teach in these areas. Matt and Greg, your comments hit the nail on the head. Oh, for the simplicity and joy of simply singing as the Bible prescribes. May we lay aside all our pretension and pride.

I wonder if another contribution to lack of participation by the congregation is the constant turnover in repertoire. It seems that too many churches, in an effort to stay "pop", are constantly doing the latest new song. Therefore, the congregation can never learn any of them at a familiarity level with which to sing them confidently.