a dialogue with john wesley on the subject of singing

Flipping through The United Methodist Hymnal yesterday, I came across a page at the front of the book that I had never read before. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that I had missed it, seeing as hymnals are rarely "read" like a typical book, so most of my using the book has been either finding particular songs while singing in a worship gathering or exploring and using the liturgies for communion, baptisms, and so on.

But I had missed a section amongst the first pages of the hymnal, penned by John Wesley, the father of Methodism himself, in 1761. The section is entitled, "DIRECTIONS FOR SINGING."


I thought it was pretty fantastic. Here's Wesley's seven instructions, with my responses:


"I. Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please."

This one amuses me, because it seems that within most churches, different people have their idea of what ought to be sung. This person thinks we need to use the hymnals and sing those songs that have stood the test of history; this person thinks we need to sing whatever's popular on Christian radio; this person thinks we need to sing praise choruses from the 1970's and 1980's. All of them would probably say, "Learn these tunes before you learn any others!" Personally, I think it's up to each church to decide.


"II. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can."

This is another one that made me crack a smirk as I read. With all due respect to Wesley, I'm actually pretty OK with changing up tunes and styles as long as everybody can still sing together. One of my pet peeves, though, is when the music leader, band, choir, etc. changes up the tune, but the congregation is still instructed to turn their hymn books to the page of the song. If you can't read music, it's no problem, but if you can, it's grating and dizzying.


"III. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing."

I like this one. A conversation that seems to be popping up in my church frequently today is that of spiritual gifts and each person's individual role within the church body. I have been struck by two seemingly conflicting realities: first, God gives everyone gifts and passions to be used for his glory; second, God often calls us to work in our places of weakness to trust him. So, for one person, singing may be a spiritual gift and a place of strength, but as Wesley points out, for others it may be a cross to carry. The same is true for many other things: silent meditation, public prayer, evangelism, working toward social justice, and so on. Sometimes we are called to "find it a blessing" when doing something that is not our passion or strength.


"IV. Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan."

You read it here, folks: John Wesley calls us to "sing lustily." Seriously, though, there's something profound about being "no more afraid of your voice now... than when you sung the songs of Satan." I think many people, particularly those who decide to follow Christ later in life, struggle with using their seemingly "secular" passions and gifts for the glory of God. If you have an amazing voice, sing loudly for God! If you are a bright and influential entrepreneur, use your skills for God! So on and so on...


"V. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound."

Of course, this is the necessary counterpoint to #4.  This is a truth for church life in general, though, I do believe: we should "not destroy the harmony." This remind me of what Paul says about being a body in 1st Corinthians.


"VI. Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first."

This one made me laugh, too. I've been in many a church worship gathering where the songs drug on... and on... and on... Apparently Wesley had, as well.


"VII. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven."

Once again, Wesley writes something about singing that speaks to the grander reality of being part of the church. The ultimate aim and goal is always "pleasing [God] more than yourself, or any other creature."