Singings
-- Apostolic Christian Church
Practices Series --
Down
through the ages of time mankind has always felt an acute need for expression.
This is especially true among those persons who truly have something within that
is worthy of manifestation. Singing is a wonderful way to fill this need. And
group singing, especially, is a useful instrument for collective expression.
Singing is particularly viable as a means of expression for
the child of God - for those persons who have been transformed from darkness to
light, and whose cleansed hearts have been filled with the goodness of God. They
truly have something worthy of expression - namely, the joy of the Lord, and the
kingdom of God within their hearts.
In the Apostolic Christian Church, singing is regarded as a
delightful and wonderful means of worshipping God. Along with prayers and
sermons, it is a treasured part of the liturgy. And while singing is regarded as
an important part of the church service, this method of worship extends beyond
the boundaries of the customary sanctuary service. The brethren teach and
encourage singing in the Sunday School and families often sing together in the
home.
Yet, there exists in the brotherhood a very distinct form of
song worship. It is a wonderful tradition almost solely unique to the Apostolic
Christian Church. It is aptly and appropriately termed a "singing".
A "singing" is the gathering together of a group of believers
for the express purpose of collectively blending together voices of praise to
God in song. Over the years it has served as a blessed way to bring adulation to
God, and at the same time bring spiritual edification to each individual singer.
The singing has played an important role in the spiritual
development of the brethren of the church. In fact, its presence among the
brethren has been so constant and so universal that perhaps at times this
wonderful form of worship is almost taken for granted. Nevertheless, singings in
the past have indeed been a wonderful blessing to the church. And it's logical
to assume that singings will be continued in the future.
These song services are held most frequently by young people.
Although they range to encompass all age groups, singings for the most part are
organized and attended by young, converted,
unmarried members of the church.
Noah Webster has defined singing as follows: "to utter
melodious sounds; to celebrate in verse and poetry; to celebrate in song". This
definition clearly describes a singing, which in essence, is a collective
uttering of melodious sounds, and truly is a celebration in song.
Why is a singing considered a celebration in song? Because
those who are doing the singing - converted and sanctified children of God -
have something within which is worthy of joyful expression. Their hearts and
minds contain the peace of God. They have the wonderful assurance of God's care
during their earthly pilgrimage, and the promise of an eternal home in heaven so
long as they serve and remain true to God. The atoning work of Christ, on
Calvary's Hill centuries ago, gives occasion for this inner joy which so
appropriately finds an outlet in singing.
It has often been said that singing "is as old as life
itself". All through the ages it seems that people have resorted to song to
express their ideals and beliefs. This is especially true in the Christian
faith.
SINGING IN THE BIBLE
In the Old Testament book of
Ezra, an account is told of how Cyrus, the King of Persia, summoned the people
to Jerusalem. Included in the congregation were over 42,000 persons, among whom
were "two hundred singing men and singing women".
Further, in
Psalm 57:7, David eloquently states, "My heart is fixed, 0 God, my heart is
fixed. I will sing and give praise". In
Psalm 98:1 David also writes, "Oh sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath
done marvelous things". In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes about
"singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians
5:19), and "singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians
3:16).
Thus, the wonderful tradition of singing, which originated in
Bible times, is still reserved in this present day. This is a vivid part of a
wonderful and priceless heritage.
From Bible times, the practice of singing has continued on.
It is engaging to reflect back on how singing must have been practiced a century
or two ago in Europe where most of the ancestral stalwarts of the Apostolic
Christian brethren originated. How
beautiful the singing must have been amid the impressive and gorgeous Alpine
valleys.
The pious and humble brethren of 19th century Europe, leading
separated and devout lives, doubtless found it a great blessing to gather in
their homes to sing praises to God. How wonderful it is that this great
tradition is being furthered in today's hectic, modern world.
A singing, as it is practiced in the Apostolic Christian
Church, is quite unique. The form and procedure are almost exclusively
considered to be vintage Apostolic Christian. A search among Christian groups
which existed during the Middle Ages, the Reformation, and in modern times
reveals that virtually no similarity to the Apostolic Christian style has
existed. There is, however, one exception. John Hostetler in Amish Society
refers to "singings" among Amish groups, especially among young people.1
For the Amish, this serves not only as a social outlet, but is a foremost means
of matching up young people for marriage. The Mennonite Encyclopedia
further substantiates that, historically, the Amish people have engaged in
singings.2
SINGINGS IN THE APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The anticipation, warmth, and
spontaneity of a singing all combine to make it a wonderful event, and a
treasured blessing for young people (and others) in the church. For all the
older brothers and sisters can sentimentally look back to their youth when they
attended many singings. They can recall with pleasure the pleased feelings they
experienced when they heard the welcome news, either by phone or in person that
they were invited to a singing. Such an invitation assured the invited guest of
an upcoming blessing among God's elect. It would help to fill in unused blocks
of spare time and provide a spiritual alternative, perhaps, to many carnal
beckonings. It is no different today. Singings provide a clean and wholesome
activity for young believers in Christ.
A great thrill over the years, and one that is truly
humbling, has been for a person to attend his first singing after he has begun
his repentance. For a person who has trod through the mire of sin, who has
groped in the arena of darkness, and who has borne the burden of sin for a long
time to participate in a singing for the first time is like walking into a green
and verdant valley. This can truly be likened to a pasture greened by the Holy
Spirit of God. The peace and inspiration prompted by the truths of God as
revealed in song are a needed and timely balm for the sinsick heart. And a
singing is indeed a part of that inn where the sinner can find shelter and
warmth. One is truly brought close to the heart of God..."a place where sin
cannot molest". It is a marked contrast to worldly endeavors
and the unfruitful works of darkness.
Singings are usually held in the homes of believers, with the
young believer of the home acting as host or hostess. All young, single people
are invited, not just "favorites" or a "select few". Often some married adults
are present as well. A beautiful point regarding these singings is the fact that
unmarried believers all the way up to 40 years of age or better participate, and
age really is of no consequence. As believers unite in the love of God, the
secular limitations of age, which often can result in cruel exclusion, are
obliterated.
The singing usually begins between 7:30 and 8:00 pm when a
brother announces the first hymn. By this time most everyone is seated and ready
to begin singing, although a few are almost always a few minutes late. Brothers
and sisters are seated apart as space and conditions permit. This is done to
prevent distraction. This, then, results in more joyful and meaningful singing.
As the singing begins God's presence is truly felt in a warm,
tranquil, peaceful, and reverent way. For what converted soul can resist feeling
peace upon hearing the beauty and substance of such phrases as: "Mercy there was
great and grace was free, pardon there was multiplied to me" "When I Survey the
Wondrous Cross" "I am Going to a City, Where the Roses Never Fade" "When the
Roll is Called Up Yonder, I"ll be There" "I'm Filled with Trust and Confidence"
"Watch and Pray That When the Master Cometh" and on and on?
The joyous singing continues for nearly an hour or more.
Songs are spontaneously announced by both brothers and sisters. Usually, at
mid-point, glasses of water are passed around. Candy is also sometimes passed
several times during the singing.
After an hour or more the pace slackens somewhat and a
"farewell" song is announced. This is usually announced by an older brother of
the young group, or by a brother from a visiting church. Favorite songs of
farewell are the "Doxology", "God Be With You Till We Meet Again", and "Bless Be
The Tie That Binds".
When the farewell song is concluded, the group quickly
evolves into complete silence. At this time, the host brother, or the father of
the host sister, requests a brother to read from the Bible. As the Spirit leads,
it is decided who will do so. Visiting brothers are accorded first preference,
but if none are present, a local brother takes the initiative. No more than one
chapter is usually read.
Following the reading, a request is made for a brother to
lead in a closing prayer. Again, as the Spirit leads, a young brother usually
says, "Let us pray", or some similar phrase, and the entire group stands for
prayer.
Sisters do not participate in the act of reading aloud from
the Bible, nor do they lead the group in prayer. The church abides by the
Biblical commandment that women are to be silent in church. Also, the sisters
wear small headcoverings at singings which is in compliance with another New
Testament teaching.
As soon as the scripture reading and prayer are completed, a
lunch is served. Usually during the latter stages of the singing, several ladies
are busy preparing the lunch in order that it might be served when the singing
is completed.
Fellowship and visiting occur during and after the lunch. The
topics discussed are both of a spiritual and temporal nature, and include the
things most young people have on their minds. In connection with the proceedings
of a singing is the fact that the "holy kiss" is exchanged - brothers greet
brothers, and sisters greet sisters - as the guests arrive, and also it is often
exchanged upon departure.
Singings are not held exclusively for young single people,
but for other adults and all brethren as well. In these cases, the format is
just about the same, save for the fact that the participants are mostly married.
GENERAL COMMENTS AND CONCLUSION
A great blessing has been realized over the years in these blessed singings. The
Apostolic Christian Church indeed feels it is fortunate to be able to hold on to
this wonderful and Biblically prescribed tradition of singing praises to God. In
an era when singings in secular and even in nominal Christian churches are
nearly unheard of, it is especially gratifying to the brethren that God has
continued to bless them with a thirst and desire for this edifying type of
worship and fellowship.
Not only does the brotherhood as a whole testify as to the
enjoyment and worth of a singing, but individuals as well often comment on how
much they appreciate them. One brother indicated that following his conversion,
he listed each singing he attended along with the time, place, and occasion.
From the time of his conversion until his marriage he had attended over one
hundred singings, and as he reviewed the list he could remember each one of
them. It brought back fond and joyful memories each time he reviewed the list.
Likewise, a sister once commented on the vivid and impressive
memories she has of singings held in her parent's home when she was a little
girl. She remembers the brethren gathered in her parent's living room singing
praises to God, while the younger children played in the basement or outside.
Often, she recalled, she would quit playing and go in and sing with the adults.
And it left a striking impact on her young and impressionable mind.
Up until the last decade or so, singings almost exclusively
were held in believer's homes. In the recent past, however, due to larger groups
of believers and better facilities, singings are often held at church. Also,
today believers can gather to sing in large fellowship halls that are roomy and
can seat several hundred persons. Still, many singings are held in homes, and
these seem to be the warmest.
It is a certainty that, with God's blessing, singings will be
continued in the Apostolic Christian Church. And they will continue to provide a
great blessing for all who partake.
There is an old and wise proverb contained in the Old
Testament that says, "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have
set". Singings truly represent a type of landmark (or tradition) in the church.
Let's pray this landmark will not be removed---because our children and
grandchildren will be most appreciative when they can both see and utilize this
wonderful landmark.
(Click the footnote to continue reading)
1. Hostetler, John: Amish Society. The Johns
Hopkins Press, pages 158-159.
2. The Mennonite Encyclopedia, Volume IV, page 534.