This slim volume came as a freebie from Lifeway Christian Stores (one of the very few times I’ve walked into a Lifeway store in the last three years or so), but the Getty name was what compelled me to show up and claim a copy of the book. If you aren’t familiar with the Getty’s, I would definitely recommend a quick Youtube search. They are one of my favorite contemporary hymn and worship music writers around. Their music is theologically rich, reverent, and moving.
Sing! is, as the subtitle states, a book about “how worship transforms your life, family, and church.” The opening chapters focus on how the Bible teaches that we are created, commanded, and compelled to worship God in song. The next few chapters look at how we should sing to the Lord, and in which contexts. The last four chapters (cheekily called “bonus tracks”) are directed at elders, music ministry folks, and songwriters, and include exhortations and encouragements appropriate to each group.
Because it’s such a small volume (fewer than 150 pages), you won’t get an in-depth systematic approach to the doctrine of worship from Sing!. However, the book does an effective job in challenging the reader (whether they are in the pews or on the podium) to consider worship in song, and specifically congregational singing, not just as the appetizer or opening act of a church service but as an integral, valuable, and necessary part of the Sunday gathering.
I found this book to be really helpful, and was able to distill it down and teach the material in a Sunday School setting. If you are looking for a book to get you thinking about a Christian should approach the idea of singing as worship, Sing! would be a fine starting place.
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