DESCRIPTION

Each Sunday people drive past one or more local churches, which are closer to their home, to get to “their church.” Often the by-passed churches include some of their own denomination, peopled, in part, by their friends and acquaintances. Why is that? What “voice” is calling them to one particular congregation?

What is the voice of your congregation?

The congregation sings an important song, yet its voice is more than an echo of the Master. The congregation’s voice is the voice of testimony, praise, and prayer, rising from the lives and hearts of its individual members as a great congregational chorus that harmonizes by the grace, and in the Spirit, of God. The congregation’s voice is often, if not most often, expressed in song. Finding songs that “fit” the congregation’s voice is very closely associated with finding the voice itself. Their song must express their heart and soul. Their song must “fit,” it must be authentic.

In The Voice of Our Congregation, Terry York and David Bolin challenge you to discover and claim the voice that is authentic to your congregation through Bible study, stories from a variety of congregations, and through probing questions. Perfect for individual and group study, some of the discussions points are:

• Do you find yourself tempted to copy the voice of the church down the street?
• Are there songs and worship styles that “fit” your congregation and some that don’t?
• Have you discovered and claimed songs that are older treasures in your congregation? What are the new treasures for your congregation?
• What is unique about your congregation? How is this reflected in the singing “voice” of your congregation?

How can you enable your congregation to claim songs

that express their hearts and souls?

Biography

Terry W. York is Associate Professor of Christian Ministry and Church Music at Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he serves on both the School of Music and the Truett Theological Seminary faculties. He was the Hymnal Project Coordinator for The Baptist Hymnal, 1991. Terry's prior Abingdon publications include the devotional books Rehearsing the Soul and Observing the Rests.