Note reading in worship will help

If 2 percent of worshippers are able to use notes to read music in worship singing, it will make a huge difference for the worship as a whole.

Sources say that only 2 percent of the human race are note readers. That means that 2 percent of worshippers are note readers. If that 2 percent is allowed to read notes during worship music, it will substantially change the way the congregation sounds. Note readers are sprinkled through our congregations and know how to project their voices. They will add volume and texture to the congregational sound, given the opportunity to see where the melody and the harmonies go. I was in a worship setting recently where the guitarist said the quick word “sing” before every difficult phrase. We were given the words of the song on a digital projector, but I was left to guess where the melody was going. If I had been given the notes, I could have helped a lot from row 40.

I recently discovered an excellent source for words and notes that can be projected digitally. I practiced it in a congregation of 300 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it works. Here’s the link. http://digitalsongsandhymns.com

I’m operating from the premise that cultivating and enhancing the congregational voice is the best thing that worship leaders and pastors can do for their church music.