Grateful to share a session at @DoxandTheo tonight on 20 WAYS TO ENHANCE CONGREGATIONAL SINGING IN 20 MINUTES!

Here’s the outline!

1. Teach a theology of congregational singing
2. Pastors, lead by example

3. Select songs with robust theology
4. Select songs w/ profound poetry
5. Select songs w/ stirring congregational melodies
6. Sing about every aspect of the Christian life, including suffering
7. Arrange instrumentation not to overpower but facilitate the congregation’s voice

8. Try to make the style of the musical accompaniment hospitable to the whole congregation
9. Put songs in a key that fits the congregation’s musical range
10. Encourage people to sing in parts
11. Go a cappella often

12. Lead singing invitingly
13. Make the layout of each song intuitive to follow
14. Turn the lights up
15. Can you arrange seating so people hear one another?

16. Introduce new songs intentionally
17. Promote musical literacy
18. Promote singing in the home
19. Cultivate an encouraging & honest feedback process
20. Pray

Most of these are mainly suggestions—you get to figure out how they apply in your own context!