A Weirdness Worth Embracing: Congregational Singing and Vocation (Forecast Ep 39)

After clicking 'Play', please wait a few moments for the podcast to load.
You can also listen on ​Spotify, Apple, Google and other platforms. 
Listen to other Forecasts here.

---

People are singing less in church, and that's a problem, writes Episcopalian priest Benjamin Crosby in his recent article in Plough. Jarel and Josh discuss Crosby's article in light of their experience making music and singing for worship among churches, whether with worship bands or choirs. They explore the tension between being relevant to the dominant culture and providing a life-giving alternative that challenges or discomforts. Then they describe what the hymns 'Be Thou My Vision' and 'What Wond'rous Love Is This?' and the song 'Instrument for Noble Purpose' suggest about vocation. 

Additional resources:

• 'Is Congregational Singing Dead?' (Plough article) by Benjamin Crosby
• ​'Be Thou My Vision' (hymn video)
• 'What Wond'rous Love Is This?' (hymn video)
• ​'Instrument for Noble Purpose' (song by George Williamson)

Art: Thomas Webster, The Village Choir, oil on panel, 1847 (Public domain)

---

Jarel is a co-host of Forecast with a music emphasis. 

Josh is the founding editor of Foreshadow and a co-host of Forecast.

Please support us by sharing this post or buying us a book. ​