The Secret That Keeps Men from Singing in Worship

The article does a nice job of putting a number of things in church history where God’s people went from silence in the medieval church to robust singing in the era of metric Psalms and hymns (author neglects the Psalms, but whatever) to now large amounts of silence with modern songs. One big culprit is familiarity, but we also ought to consider a couple of other factors:

• Singability by the average person. Some things sound great with, say, a high soprano or high tenor, but shifting it down to the alto-mezzo-sopranos and baritones in the congregation doesn’t always work. Certain melodies are also harder to follow.
• Suitability for male singing. There are certain songs where the “mood” is decidedly feminine—one particular genre of modern praise music is “Jesus is my boyfriend”. Most red blooded males have trouble singing these because it’s simply not how they work. Might be OK for special music, but I’m one who cringes at a number of songs for this reason.
• Songs that really don’t have a lot to say Biblically. (“Jesus is my boyfriend” songs are often in this category) There is no doubt a place for songs of response to God’s goodness, but that response requires….an impetus.

[Bert Perry]

The article does a nice job of putting a number of things in church history where God’s people went from silence in the medieval church to robust singing in the era of metric Psalms and hymns (author neglects the Psalms, but whatever) to now large amounts of silence with modern songs.

• Singability by the average person. Some things sound great with, say, a high soprano or high tenor, but shifting it down to the alto-mezzo-sopranos and baritones in the congregation doesn’t always work. Certain melodies are also harder to follow.

I agree 100% with the singability issue. Add to that not providing sheet music to help learn the song (even for the melody, let alone parts) means that until I know a song backwards and forwards (like, e.g. It Is Well), I won’t be singing out if I’m going to make really obvious mistakes in timing or notes. It also seems that these days song leaders want to do a lot a capella. That’s great if, again, we really know the song. For ones we hardly know, that makes it even more sure I won’t sing out. I’ve pretty much gotten to the point that when the director calls for a capella, and I don’t know the song well, I stop singing at all until the music comes back.

BTW, I’m someone who has sung in church choirs most of my life, who has also sung in choirs and ensembles in college, and I still enjoy singing difficult choral music in various community group settings. It’s not that I can’t sing. I simply don’t want to do so poorly.