The Subtle Strike of Individualism Through Singing
by Christopher Hendrix
Last week, I initiated a series on the detrimental effects of individualism. This cancerous mindset has not only plagued our society but also infiltrated our church community. The decay caused by radical individualism is evident in each generation, with the youngest struggling to form meaningful connections. The article last week delved into the havoc individualism has wreaked in the family, which has unfortunately spilled over into the church.
Atoms in the Church
Most people think of the church as a gathering of individuals who come together once, maybe twice, a week, then disperse. The church has become atomistic in American society. Like a shaken bag of marbles that bounce against each other with no effect, people enter, enjoy (or maybe complain about) the performance, then leave. One of the most significant signs of individualism in the church shines brightly through the music.
The songs sung are man-centric, me-centric, superficial, and weak. The lyrics repeat themselves with meaningless phrases. Let’s stop singing lyrics that say, “I’m going to praise God” and actually praise God. The words focus on the self. The beat focuses on creating emotion. The pattern of the song with its repetitiveness doesn’t aim to grow one’s love for Christ but aims to be like the unbelievers who sing repetitive songs of meaningless phrases (Matt. 6:7). However, individualism has done the most damage through determining the volume of the music.
The Whole Church is a Choir
Now, I’m not some grumpy millennial who hates loud music. I grew up with the subs in the car blasting music. What I am against is drowning out all voices in worship. The instruments overpower the person next to me. Not only that, but I can’t even hear myself sing! The only voice I hear is the performer with the mic. The time of singing is treated as a performance to create emotion in each person’s heart. Stirring people up is the aim of this type of setting. Emotionalism becomes the defining mark as to whether a person is spiritual or not. The more stirred up someone is, the more successful the worship leader.
On the contrary, the Bible opposes this individualistic style of worship. Instead, the Bible calls for the congregation to sing to one another (Eph. 5:19). This act of singing to one another is not about stirring each other’s emotions, but about stirring our hearts and minds towards God (Col. 3:16). The goal of singing isn’t for our entertainment of ourselves. This is idolatry. The goal is to bring to the Lord an offering of praise. When our talents distract us from practicing with one another, then we’ve gone wrong.
Radical individualism promotes selfish pursuits, such as an emotional high. It expects top performance and refuses to be let down. When the focus isn’t on ‘me,’ but ‘we,’ then the primary concern becomes pleasing and giving to one another. Congregational singing does this! We give of ourselves to one another through words creatively exiting our mouths. This sacrificial use of our breath and energy points us to God, who receives our praises and glory. This isn’t individualism. This is a community!
The Body and Temple of Christ
True community doesn’t deny the individual, but each individual exists to lift up the community. Each person is focused on the other. This is why images in Scripture are used of the church, such as living stones (1 Pet. 2:4–5). We are united in Christ, together as individuals, but being built up into one temple, one house, one body. We are dependent upon one another because we are in Christ together. Each individual is fashioned by God with giftings and a vocation, but these things are oriented towards others. Individualism orients these things towards the self.
So, let us kill individualism. Let us start with the power of words sung well. Turn down the guitar, muff the drums, and let us hear one another. When we hear each other’s voice, may your heart be spurred to think about the Lord and give Him thanks. May you be pushed towards Christ and His bride.