Episode Transcript
Keith Lancaster
Do you think that God wants everyone to sing to him? What about Christians who don't feel like they have any musical ability or singing talent? And if this is important to God, how do we encourage everyone to sing? How do we train them? Is leading singing an important part of the process? These and other questions we'd like to explore as we welcome you to our Acappella Musicianary Podcast.
My name is Keith Lancaster of Acappella Ministries. I hear people all the time say, "I don't have a voice," or "I just like to listen." What is the scripture precedent for every Christian to sing? Well, to start, James says, "Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise."
In Ephesians we're told to "Speak to one another through Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord." And my favorite passage is 1 Peter 2: 9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation." And this is my favorite part, "God's special possession." That's amazing! God called us chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, and God's special possession. And immediately it says, "So that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
My favorite quotation on this topic is from the author Bob Kauflin in his book True Worshipers. He says, "Singing is not an option for the Christian. No one is excused. Vocal skill is not a criterion. Not even those with zero musical ability." He says, "The critical question is not, do I have a voice? but do I have a song?"
Have you noticed how children love to sing and it's so normal and natural for them to express through singing? And just like parents and grandparents, we love to hear little ones sing regardless of their vocal accuracy. I believe that God cherishes hearing us sing even if we're tone deaf, because it's the heart that counts.
God created our voices and he wants to hear from all of us. What do you think? Is it important to encourage everyone to sing? And if so, what could be the strategies and the processes we can use to encourage and develop a healthy and robust congregational singing? My son, Anthony, and I conduct three day workshops for congregations across the nation and around the world. We'd love to hear your thoughts on how we can continue to promote vibrant, harmonious singing. It is our mission to encourage every believer to sing as the Bible says, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."
We also train song leaders once a year in our week-long boot camp. We call it the Worship Leader Institute. Our ministry is focused on encouraging every believer to praise the Lord with all their hearts. We're going to be developing some podcast sessions to explore these topics, and we hope you will join us and we cherish your input. Before we close, I'd to give you a brief update of some coming opportunities that involve the very gift of singing.
You may have seen the Praise and Harmony videos on YouTube that are blessing people all over the world. We'd like to invite you to consider auditioning to record with 1,000 voices. Yep, you heard that, 1,000 voices. The best way to keep up with all of our news, updates, and details is through our email newsletter, because the auditions will be opening this summer.
We love planning family events for everyone in the entire family. Since Nashville, Tennessee, Music City USA has become a destination city, we are hosting an all-day New Year's Day congregational singing and worship. There will be food trucks, song leaders from all over the nation. What a way to dedicate the New Year with a full day of amazing inspirational singing for the whole family! Also, New Year's Eve, we will be enjoying concerts with a Acappella, the Lancaster's AVB's reunion and the Vocal Union. The New Year's events are free, but registration is required before we run out of space.
Some of you love cruising and you'll want to join our singing cruise. We have one coming up in July, not very long from now. Next year, the number is very limited, but we're hosting a footsteps of Paul journey that will begin in Athens, Greece.
Here are some of the upcoming events and weekends hope you'll share this with others. Ruidoso New Mexico, Point Texas, Del City, Oklahoma, Columbus, Georgia, North Richland Hills, Texas, Hutchison, Kansas, Pueblo, Colorado, Fort Collins, Colorado, Little Rock, Arkansas, Searcy, Arkansas, Richmond, Virginia. High Point, North Carolina, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Withamsville, Ohio, and Anaheim, California.
I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
See you soon.
