I have heard it said that there were traditionally three different schools of singing: French, German, and Italian. I lack the musical knowledge to confidently distinguish between them, but my understanding is that the French school values vocal clarity and agility, the German school values vocal power and drama, and the Italian school values clear and beautiful tones.
To these schools of singing I would like to add a fourth: The school of Christ. The German school expects its singers to focus on projection and resonance, the French school on precision, the Italian school on a kind of agility that allows them to create beauty through complexity. But the school of Christ has an entirely different focus.
The school of Christ is much less concerned with the outer man than the inner. It does not demand a voice that is flawless but a heart that is broken. It does not demand excellence in performance but contrition before the Lord. It does not look to the affirmation of an audience but the smile of God.
In the school of Christ it counts for little if a voice precisely communicates outward emotion, but it counts for much if the heart has been moved with sorrow over sin and moved with joy over salvation. It means little if technique is met with approval from critics but means much if a simple song is met with the smile of God. This music, though coming through the mouth of an untrained individual, is much sweeter to the ear of God than music that is technically perfect but spiritually rebellious. It is better to be tone deaf and sing to the glory of God than to be a world-class talent and sing for the glory of self.
As we consider how we worship, we need to acknowledge that God calls each one of us to sing. We are to sing even if we are untrained, even if we are unskilled, and even if we are self-conscious. And if we are to sing, don’t you think God means for us to sing out, to sing loud, to sing as if our singing really matters? God calls upon the heavens and the mountains to sing and commands the beasts of the field and birds of the heavens to praise him. Who are we to lag behind the animals? Who are we to defy God when all of creation obeys?
So, as you prepare to gather with your church this weekend, prepare yourself to sing! You have been drawn into the school of Christ and can be assured that he loves to hear you sing—to hear you sing out the joy of your salvation.
