Really? That song?

While a good sermon is a delight, what can sometimes heighten the experience is a good song to follow it, often referred to as the ‘response song’. This song can build on the theme of the sermon as well as help people who feel a need to prayerfully respond.

Sometimes, however, if the officer or worship leader has rushed in putting the meeting together, the wrong song can be chosen. Or possibly the right one, just not the one the preacher expected. Similarly, the closing song of a meeting can sometimes undo the strong message of the sermon.

I recall reading an old anecdote of a preacher who implored the good folks of his community to avoid ‘the demon drink’ and encouraged them to pour their alcohol into the river that ran next to the town. He then said, ‘Let us sing our final song together, “Shall We Gather At The River?”.

Imagine the following scenarios …

The sermon is a timely message on gossiping and ‘taming the tongue’ (James 3), and the preacher feels she’s hit the mark well judging by the guilty look on some faces. As she takes her seat, the worship leader invites people to sing their final song – ‘I Love To Tell The Story’.

The corps officer provides a sad message, informing the congregation he is soon to depart for a new appointment at another corps. He speaks of being obedient to God’s will, and he says, ‘Jesus led me here, and it’s Jesus who now leads me away.’ The band then strikes up the closing song, ‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus’.

The corps is divided. The dominating topic in the media and news outlets is the upcoming referendum on the nation becoming a republic. Should we stay with the Commonwealth and the monarchy or step out on our own as an independent nation? The corps officer has made herself clear: it’s time to ‘grow up’ and step away from our close ties to Britain. The worship leader, however, seems to differ, and the congregation stands to sing ‘Majesty, Worship His Majesty’.

In his sermon on commitment and courage in faith, the preacher uses an illustration of Sir Guinane Artellius, the 16th-century Dutchman who refused to deny his Christian faith while travelling in the Middle East. Tied between beams, he was whipped and then died as multiple spears were thrown at his body, some of them passing all the way through. While his commitment to Christ was inspiring, the final song – ‘O Holy Night’ – was not.

The preacher reminds her flock that God hears their prayers and cares for them. She uses Isaiah 59:1 as the basis for her sermon, ‘Look, the Lord’s hand is not too weak to deliver you, nor his ear too deaf to hear you.’ The message makes perfect sense … until they sing ‘Shout To The Lord’.

And finally, it’s a funeral service for a man who committed his life to God but also idolised the Beatles. The corps officer speaks of the difference between being a fan of a music group and being a follower of Christ. He makes a strong point about different levels of commitment and of being clear on who or what is appropriate for our worship. The final song of the service was, however, chosen by the deceased, and it seems he gets the final word – ‘Take My Life and Let It Be’.

Major Mal Davies is the Assistant Divisional Commander for the Victoria Division