I just heard bits of a sermon by Martyn Lloyd Jones on a topic I've never heard preached about in 28 years of listening to boat loads of sermons. I've got to track it down and listen to the whole thing.
He was talking about congregational singing and rebuking people who have good singing voices who use them in a way to show off and draw attention to themselves. He was saying they need to pull back on their ability in the environment and be more subtle so that God gets the glory in that environment and not them. It was really different.
Interesting. In a men's group awhile back meeting one of our pastors who travels a lot mentioned something similar about being in a church with a leading worship team where it really looked like the leader was drawing all the attention to themselves. He mentioned that the EO church (not sure if all do this) has their singers off in the back of the church just for the reason not to draw attention
Our church has congregational singing, not a "worship team". I never even thought of what Jones preached about. Perhaps because I can sing on key, but I don't have one of those amazing voices. I get the job done singing but not much more.
The Bible says to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord." Nowhere does it say it has to sound good. Just be joyful.
Yes, some can't. Some people are tone deaf. Other, like myself, can hit the notes, but don't have a great voice. No in regard to sounding good, we are told in Psalms by an anonymous writer . . . Psalm 33:3 (NASB95) 3 Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. Play skillfully. Martyn Lloyd Jones spoke about gift people distracting from God with their skill. So pull back and don't show boat. But terrible performing can be equally distracting, can't it? Seems there is a target to aim for?
Rains coming in the am. Thinking of wrapping it up today and heading out either to the City or the hills (toward S. Lake Tahoe) for a few days. Charge up the Sony digital and the Nokia. (or spend tomorrow arranging tools) ;.;. :.: : : :- :- :-\ ;.;.