danielmhimself's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
joshmillernj's review
5.0
A book written mainly regarding congregational singing...I don't know that this subject matter would have caught my attention. Several years back, our song leader came back from the Getty's "Sing!" Conference and handed me this book. I'm glad I didn't wait any longer to read the book!
From the introduction, the book had my attention. Although I absolutely love to sing (and usually loud), it is apparent in speaking with others and watching others, that singing for many Christians is something they just get through. Here is what the Gettys said in the intro, "The New Testament implies that our singing is important. It's been said that Christians are a singing people - but often, many of us are really more of a mouthing-along-with-the-words kind of people." I totally agree.
When reading books on music in the Christian world, I have found that music can generally be a lightning rod! However, this book is far from that. I believe I could hand a copy of this to nearly any Christian, regardless of their view on music, and they would be blessed by the content.
The Gettys really do lobby and attempt to persuade their reader of the importance of the singing congregation. Not the soloist...not the duet...not the quartet or the music special on stage. An although they address choirs, this book is not about any type of music being "performed" on the platform of a church or any other venue. It really is about the singing of the congregation. In matter of fact, they ask this question (a question I have not ever been asked or seen asked in a book), "How did the congregation sing?" This question really made me stop & think. Just because I, as a pastor and someone who is passionate about singing, love to sing and sing heartily unto the Lord, doesn't mean that our congregation does.
A few things I love about the book - 1) the book is full of Scriptural admonitions regarding singing along with a focus on the gospel, 2) the book gently reminds the reader that for the sake of the gospel and the sake of others, there are times we have to sacrifice our preferences when it comes to musical styles for the sake of others and the church. This last point is a much needed one in the Bible-believing community that I have been a part of much of my life. 3) The book is a short one. Clocking in at a mere 146 pages, it will give hope to the most novice reader among us to be able to read it in good time.
The chapters are as follows:
Chapter 1: Created to Sing!
Chapter 2: Commanded to Sing!
Chapter 3: Compelled to Sing!
Chapter 4: Sing! with Heart and Mind
Chapter 5: Sing! with Your Family
Chapter 6: Sing! with the Local Church
Chapter 7: The Radical Witness When Congregations Sing!
Postlude: Will You Sing?
The practical "Bonus Tracks" at the end of the book are worth the price of the book for anyone involved in the music of their church (pastors should be involved in the music and these last few "tracks" are quite helpful).
I love the section in the first chapter that answers the oft-asked question, "What if I can't sing?" It is an excuse I often hear from fellow Christians that have no heart for singing. The Gettys answer this in several ways. Here are a few snippets from this section:
"If you can speak, you can physically sing."
"God's far less concerned with your tunefulness than your integrity. Christian singing begins with the heart, not on the lips (Eph. 5:19)."
At the end of the first chapter entitled "Created to Sing!" the Gettys give some good instruction:
"Don't sing primarily because you love singing, or keep quiet because you do not. Sing because you love who made you, and formed you, and enables you to sing."
The following are some of my favorite sections/quotes from the remainder of the book:
"Christian singing is far more than doing our duty, but it is never less."
"It is hard - impossible, in fact - to sing what you are excited about in your spirit and grateful in your heart in a way that is tepid, tentative, and withdrawn. Deeply felt thankfulness produces a sound from our voices that is robust and enthusiastic."
"So as we obey the command to sing, we are (or should be) unleashing a congregational sound of conviction - whether there are a dozen of us or thousands of us. If we aren't, our children or visitors looking on have every right to wonder if what we are singing is truly important to us. In this sense, our singing betrays the truth about us, for better or for worse."
"Sing to yourself what you sang on Sunday, for what you sing shapes your heart, your mind, your soul."
"The church should be a feasting place for singable songs, and the appetite for it is nurtured at home."
"Singing the gospel changes hearts, and singing the gospel prepares hearts."
"At the heart of encouraging your kids to sing is having a heart for singing the songs yourself."
"We have noticed many times that when parents, and particularly fathers, do not sing, it often leads to older kids inheriting similar tepid responses that sadly often go far beyond just the singing. Be a parent who sings with joy, and pray that your kids, of whatever age, would follow you - not just in the singing, but in the faith that brings such joy."
"We believe that singing is transformative."
"The church is (and has been throughout history) an incredible breeding ground for musical training and expression."
"Inspire your kids with different instruments, sounds, and languages, and by speaking positively about all these things yourself."
"Don't view singing with church as an opportunity to sing in a way that sounds like the culture you live in, or like a past era you wish you lived in - come to sing to lend your voice to the timeless, boundless sound of the congregational voice singing to the One who is eternally worthy of our praise."
"Not all singing churches are healthy churches, but all healthy churches are singing churches."
"The sight & sound of a congregation singing praise to God together is a radical witness in a culture that rejects God and embraces individualism."
"Your singing is always a witness. The question is: Is it a good witness or not?"
From the introduction, the book had my attention. Although I absolutely love to sing (and usually loud), it is apparent in speaking with others and watching others, that singing for many Christians is something they just get through. Here is what the Gettys said in the intro, "The New Testament implies that our singing is important. It's been said that Christians are a singing people - but often, many of us are really more of a mouthing-along-with-the-words kind of people." I totally agree.
When reading books on music in the Christian world, I have found that music can generally be a lightning rod! However, this book is far from that. I believe I could hand a copy of this to nearly any Christian, regardless of their view on music, and they would be blessed by the content.
The Gettys really do lobby and attempt to persuade their reader of the importance of the singing congregation. Not the soloist...not the duet...not the quartet or the music special on stage. An although they address choirs, this book is not about any type of music being "performed" on the platform of a church or any other venue. It really is about the singing of the congregation. In matter of fact, they ask this question (a question I have not ever been asked or seen asked in a book), "How did the congregation sing?" This question really made me stop & think. Just because I, as a pastor and someone who is passionate about singing, love to sing and sing heartily unto the Lord, doesn't mean that our congregation does.
A few things I love about the book - 1) the book is full of Scriptural admonitions regarding singing along with a focus on the gospel, 2) the book gently reminds the reader that for the sake of the gospel and the sake of others, there are times we have to sacrifice our preferences when it comes to musical styles for the sake of others and the church. This last point is a much needed one in the Bible-believing community that I have been a part of much of my life. 3) The book is a short one. Clocking in at a mere 146 pages, it will give hope to the most novice reader among us to be able to read it in good time.
The chapters are as follows:
Chapter 1: Created to Sing!
Chapter 2: Commanded to Sing!
Chapter 3: Compelled to Sing!
Chapter 4: Sing! with Heart and Mind
Chapter 5: Sing! with Your Family
Chapter 6: Sing! with the Local Church
Chapter 7: The Radical Witness When Congregations Sing!
Postlude: Will You Sing?
The practical "Bonus Tracks" at the end of the book are worth the price of the book for anyone involved in the music of their church (pastors should be involved in the music and these last few "tracks" are quite helpful).
I love the section in the first chapter that answers the oft-asked question, "What if I can't sing?" It is an excuse I often hear from fellow Christians that have no heart for singing. The Gettys answer this in several ways. Here are a few snippets from this section:
"If you can speak, you can physically sing."
"God's far less concerned with your tunefulness than your integrity. Christian singing begins with the heart, not on the lips (Eph. 5:19)."
At the end of the first chapter entitled "Created to Sing!" the Gettys give some good instruction:
"Don't sing primarily because you love singing, or keep quiet because you do not. Sing because you love who made you, and formed you, and enables you to sing."
The following are some of my favorite sections/quotes from the remainder of the book:
"Christian singing is far more than doing our duty, but it is never less."
"It is hard - impossible, in fact - to sing what you are excited about in your spirit and grateful in your heart in a way that is tepid, tentative, and withdrawn. Deeply felt thankfulness produces a sound from our voices that is robust and enthusiastic."
"So as we obey the command to sing, we are (or should be) unleashing a congregational sound of conviction - whether there are a dozen of us or thousands of us. If we aren't, our children or visitors looking on have every right to wonder if what we are singing is truly important to us. In this sense, our singing betrays the truth about us, for better or for worse."
"Sing to yourself what you sang on Sunday, for what you sing shapes your heart, your mind, your soul."
"The church should be a feasting place for singable songs, and the appetite for it is nurtured at home."
"Singing the gospel changes hearts, and singing the gospel prepares hearts."
"At the heart of encouraging your kids to sing is having a heart for singing the songs yourself."
"We have noticed many times that when parents, and particularly fathers, do not sing, it often leads to older kids inheriting similar tepid responses that sadly often go far beyond just the singing. Be a parent who sings with joy, and pray that your kids, of whatever age, would follow you - not just in the singing, but in the faith that brings such joy."
"We believe that singing is transformative."
"The church is (and has been throughout history) an incredible breeding ground for musical training and expression."
"Inspire your kids with different instruments, sounds, and languages, and by speaking positively about all these things yourself."
"Don't view singing with church as an opportunity to sing in a way that sounds like the culture you live in, or like a past era you wish you lived in - come to sing to lend your voice to the timeless, boundless sound of the congregational voice singing to the One who is eternally worthy of our praise."
"Not all singing churches are healthy churches, but all healthy churches are singing churches."
"The sight & sound of a congregation singing praise to God together is a radical witness in a culture that rejects God and embraces individualism."
"Your singing is always a witness. The question is: Is it a good witness or not?"
shaniquekee's review
4.0
A simple, quick book about the importance of singing in the modern church. I really liked how they put things in both a scriptural and cultural (in this case, Western) context, while also looking at the broader implications in the global Church. Music is important to worship, and the Gettys take a few moments here to help us understand (or be able to articulate why). This comes with examples from both scripture and hymns, as well as discussion questions, which makes it a good book to use for a book study on music/singing/worship.
yodareads12's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Really good read especially for those who love worshipping through music. I do think it would be better to read with someone, or a group because of the discussion questions.
The book goes into the importance of worship with not just those leading, but also those in the congregation. Also they address how we should still be willing to sing even if the music isn't our top choice and why.
Worship is supposed to be about God, not us. This book does a good job at explaining why and how impactful that makes it on our lives.
The book goes into the importance of worship with not just those leading, but also those in the congregation. Also they address how we should still be willing to sing even if the music isn't our top choice and why.
Worship is supposed to be about God, not us. This book does a good job at explaining why and how impactful that makes it on our lives.
jasonhenry42's review
5.0
This is an excellent introduction to the role of singing and the singer (every believer!) in congressional worship. If anyone comes to me and is interested in putsuing worship leadership, this is the first book I will give them. It's succinct, short, and easy to understand but also deep enough that it nourished my soul and helped remind me why singing is so essential to life and spiritual growth. People love to say about ministry books that they're for everybody, not just ministers, and while that's not always true, it most definitely is for this book. I wish everyone would read it.
davidbess's review
5.0
In a day and age when congregational singing seems to be on the wane, Keith and Kristyn Getty are coming on strong with a revival of Christian singing. This little book emphasizes the Biblical basis and the spiritual benefits of making music together in the home, with children, and especially in the church. They recover the nearly forgotten potency of how the Christian faith can be shared, strengthened and celebrated through singing. Just to make it clear, this book isn't about singing in the sense of standing before others. It's about singing in the sense of standing WITH others and lifting voices together to God. I've been in the pastoral ministry over 35 years, and have always had a deep appreciation for the place of music. This book is the very best I've read on the Biblical place and spiritual power of music. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
samuelblakey's review
5.0
This is a wonderful short primer on the immense importance of congregational singing. I’ve now read this book 2 or 3 times and always come away inspired and refreshed. God has created us as a singing people and has commanded us to sing praises to Him. Our singing affects us, our families, our church families, and our witness to the rest of the world. In light of all that, how do YOU sing?
academy252's review
5.0
A fantastic resource for churches and families who want to worship together. Laypersons and leaders alike can benefit from this book!
thegracefulbibliophile's review
5.0
This was probably one of my favorite books of the year. Keith and Kristyn Getty are my favorite hymn writers of the day and their music is a beautifully testimony to God's grace and forgiveness in a sin-cursed and broken world. I wasn't sure what this book was going to be like, and who the audience of the book was. But what I found was excellent theology wrapped up in how churches must spend time singing together. While this book was likely written with the pastor or worship leader in mind, the average person will glean so much from the pages of this book. We don't sing because we have to. We sing because we've been given that gift by God who we should want to thank with joyful praises of thankfulness. Many people think they "can't sing," and therefore don't. One of my favorite quotes from this book is, "The truth is that God designed you to sing and gave you everything you need to sing, as well as He wants you to. He's far less concerned with your tunefulness than your integrity. Christian singing begins with the heart, not the lips." This is a book that I will go back to constantly. I couldn't put it down the first time I read through the book, and I'm so excited to dive back in and really dig into the truths that they shared!
garethtrussell's review
3.0
An average book. I wholeheartedly agree with the Gettys that Christians are to be a singing people, and especially when we gather on a Sunday we do so to sing as a congregation not to observe a musical performance.
The biggest problem with the book, is that it's written by professional musicians to encourage people to sing more - even as families at home. It doesn't squarely face the challenge that is for people who aren't musically gifted. It also contains too many American anecdotes, and Americanisms for a British audience to ignore.
Not a bad book. But not a good one either.
The biggest problem with the book, is that it's written by professional musicians to encourage people to sing more - even as families at home. It doesn't squarely face the challenge that is for people who aren't musically gifted. It also contains too many American anecdotes, and Americanisms for a British audience to ignore.
Not a bad book. But not a good one either.
More...