When song leaders enter the pulpit with feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, there is a strong tendency to hide one's body behind large pulpit furniture and hide one's eye contact behind an open hymnal. The leader's performance will also be subdued if he believes that he lacks the freedom to truly open up and express his true feelings in song.
The church almost always follows its leaders. If our leadership is subdued, then the congregation's singing will be subdued. If we are withdrawn from them, they will feel isolated from us. If we cannot express our feelings, then they will not express their feelings.
If we want the church's singing to be dynamic, expressive, and open, then our leaders must assert such leadership in the pulpit. Dynamic congregational singing means that our leaders must overcome feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. They must develop a feeling that they truly have the freedom to express themselves, and they must learn to liberated themselves from the bondage of large pulpit furniture and large open hymnals. Furthermore, one must master the skills that empower emotions to be expressed.
Song leaders want the church's singing to be dynamic. We do not want our leadership to inhibit the progress of the church. So, what can we do?
The singing school at Abilene Christian University provides such training to advanced song leaders. We specialize in helping leaders to learn to overcome inhibitions and insecurities. We help them develop skills that are vital to leading the congregation in dynamic singing.
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