Music is for everyone

An excerpt from a recent conference presentation aimed at music teachers. - Sean Bohnet

The first thing to preach, preach, preach at all times in your world is music is for everyone. Singing is for everyone. Everyone can do it and do it to a suitable standard. Lord willing, you believe this already with all your might, but get more passionate about it because there is a large mess to clean up in our world’s culture regarding this belief. We need to shut off the lies surrounding all of us, especially Christians. I’m not charismatic, but I’ll get in my tent preaching and declare to you, “Church, that this weapon formed against you cannot stand. Put up a hedge of protection. Kick down the lies, expose the fear, and cast away the shame in the name of Jesus!!! Come on church, hallelujah!” But in a more even tempered way, I say to you that people have said for too long, “I can’t sing.” It becomes a joke and everyone joins. Frankly that’s not funny. God doesn’t find it funny, because it creates mute churches. It creates congregations that can never seem to crescendo past a quiet hum. Ask 10 people in your church, 10 people in your family, or 10 of your friends, “Do you sing? Can you read music? Are you in an ensemble?” They’ll probably say no, no, and no. What’s more unfortunate is that even if they are tuneful, can kinda read music, and are in the church choir, they may feel guilty for giving you an affirmative. Why is that? Well, for one we joke with scripture and are deaf to the important command to praise the Lord. We say “it says make a joyful NOISE. It doesn’t have to be pretty.” While you won’t be cast from the Lord if you can’t carry a tune with a dolly, we see there is an emphasis for singing with skillfulness and holiness and especially growing in that regard.