The Songs We Sing

I had the joy of sharing this session at the CBU Worship Summit 2026 on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at California Baptist University

The songs we sing are never neutral. Week after week, they shape how our people imagine God, understand the gospel, and locate themselves within the story of Scripture. Worship leaders carry more than musical responsibility; they serve as shepherds who guard theological truth, servants who lead with humility, and farmers who patiently cultivate long-term spiritual formation. One of the guiding questions raised in this session was simple but sobering: if someone grew up in our church for twenty years, how well would they know God based solely on what we sing? That question reframes song selection as pastoral work, not just artistic or stylistic preference .

To help leaders move beyond instinct and popularity, this session proposed a clear framework for choosing songs that are biblically faithful, congregationally singable, and contextually wise. The framework asks whether a song is true, what kind of truth it communicates, what function it serves in the worship gathering, whether it invites participation, and whether it fits the people God has entrusted to us. Practical considerations like melodic range, textual clarity, and thoughtful arrangements support this larger theological vision. The goal is not uniformity but faithfulness, building a repertoire that teaches, forms, and endures. The full slide deck and handout expand these ideas and provide tools for applying them thoughtfully in your own ministry context.