When my dad married into my family when I was 12, he married into a family of musicians and singers. He was neither. Some might have described him as a bad singer, but he used to joke, more accurately, that he was a fine singer, he just had a very small range. In any case, his lack of vocal ability didn’t stop him from singing “Happy Birthday” in a non-timid way at my kids’ birthday parties. I really miss that, despite his inability to sing the song in tune. It added to the joy.
There are two kinds of bad singers: Those who know they sing poorly and those who don’t. This second kind are highlighted in comedy shows and the beginning of each season of American Idol. People chuckling knowingly as they watch: “He actually thinks he’s good!”
They are easily mockable, those ignorant of their out-of-tune-ness. But here’s the thing: I’ve worshiped at several churches, and I’ve never met one (a bad singer who didn’t know he was a bad singer) at any of them. The bad singers generally know they aren’t vocalists. Believe me, they know. Some of them would like to sing on the worship team or in the church choir, but they know that this isn’t their gift. God is not calling them to that ministry.
I further split this group of bad singers (those who know they are bad singers) into two more categories:
There are those who keep quiet. Muting oneself is understandable – no one wants to draw attention to one’s lesser gifts, and one might fear that he’ll ruin worship for those around him.
But then there are those who want to sing out. They don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to glorify God. They want to avail themselves of the opportunity to join into corporate worship. Let me go on record: I find this commendable.
Recently I found myself standing near one of these people, singing out strongly, and I felt honored. I thought, this man doesn’t sing perfectly, he knows it and still he’s willing to sing with strength. And he knows I’m within earshot. He doesn’t want to keep his love of his Heavenly Father a secret. He wants to worship. May God encourage him and those like him.
I have a video of one of my children being presented with a birthday cake, and you can hear our whole family singing to him. This video was filmed just before my Dad died and on it, you can hear him say, as the candles were being blown out, “This particular grandfather can’t sing worth a hill of beans.”
Maybe. But he still sang. He was still a part of the celebration. To his benefit and ours.
This Sunday, if you find yourself standing next to someone who is not a perfect singer but is still entering into worship, do this: Smile, sing with him or her, and thank God for that person’s courage and love of their Creator. And if you’re a less than ideal singer, sing loud, do your best to glorify God and thank him for the way He accepts imperfect gifts.
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March 30, 2015 at 6:33 am
Victoria
I know of a guy in a church we attended years ago who couldn’t sing and definitely thought he could. It was really tough not laughing when he belted out those awfully sour notes–in front of the congregation on the platform! Yes, he thought he was good enough to sing up front. And, only the Lord knows the reason why the ones in charge let him! One time, as he was our Sunday School teacher as well, at the end of the class, he said he had a song that he wanted to sing to us. He shut the door of the room (we were a captive audience, for real!) and began to sing.. It’s just not right when you have to pray through the song that you will not laugh. People should not have to endure that. There is no focus on worship, just on trying not to burst out laughing or moaning, because the singing is so terrible. I am not exaggerating.
I have no problem with people singing heartily to the Lord, as I try to myself and am not a great singer. We are to make a joyful noise, right? Congregational singing like that is wonderful–all kinds of voices singing to the Lord. But we should NOT be showcasing people who cannot sing, no matter how much their hearts are in the right place about it. If you feel like you will sin, when a certain person sings, than it is not uplifting. It becomes a stumbling block.
It really was a struggle for my husband and me. Glad we are not dealing with that anymore. 🙂
March 30, 2015 at 6:34 am
Victoria
Then it is not uplifting. 🙂 Not than!
March 30, 2015 at 8:52 am
jamsco
Thanks, Victoria. I agree that a person who isn’t gifted usually shouldn’t be showcased. I’ve just never heard this. Would you agree that it’s pretty rare?
March 31, 2015 at 7:31 am
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