AN EVENING OF CONGREGATIONAL SINGING

AIM/PURPOSE:

While good music remains the desire of everybody (God, the music lover, the politicians, the sick, the distressed, the pastors, the choristers, the church as a whole), it is very pathetic to note that church music has gradually suffered negligence and loss of taste in recent time. Many young people as well as older soldiers of the army do not have much knowledge of, or passion for singing our own songs. It is also possible though dissatisfying to realize that out of the thousand songs and tunes available in our songbook and tune books respectively, only a few common ones are usually raised during services. Among these few, most songs are either wrongly sung or always used with a particular common tune which sometimes does not match the original tune of the song. This has risen to a point where, if not promptly attended to, we will soon lose value of our own songs while other denominations capture and use them indiscriminately.

It is in lieu of this, (that is, in an attempt to resuscitate and maintain the good standard of our music) that we humbly crave your indulgence to initiate this programme with the hope that it will improve our use of congregational songs in worship to God.

WHY DO WE NEED TO IMPROVE OUR SINGING?

v  Our God is a Singer (Zeph. 3:17); He is a Composer (Deut. 31:19,22)

v  He deserves good music (1 Chron. 21:24; 2 Samuel 24:24)

v  He frowns at poor music and regards it as noise (Amos 5:23)

v  Everybody wants to listen to good singing and be a part of it

v  The Salvation Army is known universally for good music, hence, the need to maintain that standard.

IMPORTANCE OF CONGREGATIONAL SINGING IN CHURCH WORSHIP

v  Our singing glorifies God (Rev. 7:9-10)

v  Our singing builds up others (Eph. 5:19)

v  When we sing, we dig deep roots in the word of God (Col. 3:16)

v  When we sing, we gain spiritual strength amidst trials (Acts 16:25 Paul & Silas)

v  Singing releases God’s blessings of healing (1 Sam. 16:23)

v  Congregational Singing develops spiritual warfare (2 Chron. 20:21-22)

v  Singing attracts the divine presence of God (2 Kings 3:15)

POSSIBLE EXPECTED RESULTS

Although there are several other benefits that is hoped to be achieved in the course of this program, the very core expectations are that:

v  This program will help to promote congregational singing during services.

v  It will create an avenue for people both youths and adults to learn Salvation Army songs.

v  Since singing is a recreational activity, this program will allow people to come in and spend exciting moments in a godly way and atmosphere.

v  It will help to engage young people to develop passion for the work of evangelism and soul winning which is the very vital part of the Salvation Army’s mission.