"Sermons That Sing" (Noel A. Snyder)

TITLE: Sermons That Sing: Music and the Practice of Preaching (Dynamics of Christian Worship)
AUTHOR: Noel A. Snyder
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2021, (208 pages).
 

For many preachers, giving a sermon is often done as a solo effort. Yet, some of the most powerful preaching are done through a team effort. There is the pair comprising of D.L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey, and through their teamwork, they have touched many lives in ways that no single person could have done. Even the televangelist like Benny Hinn at the height of his popularity, has his worship leader such as Terry MacAlmon to thank. Some people might say that the preacher gives the food for the mind, the worship leader provides fodder for the emotion, and the Spirit uses them to minister to the hungry soul. Whatever it is, I believe that worship with Scripture and song is powerful beyond measure. Yet, there is a cautionary note that if we are not careful, one might manipulate the other subconsciously. Knowing the balance is tricky and the author Noel Snyder knows it full well. As a musician as well as a preacher, he understands the uniqueness from both angles and is well suited to demonstrate to us sermons musically and music in accordance to Scripture. It reminds me also of Jeremy Begbie's amazing lectures on how music and Scripture could work together hand in hand. it is apt to see Professor Begbie giving an eloquent foreword to this book that emphasizes that point. The key thesis of this book is to utilize the unique qualities of music to guide and enhance the message at the pulpit. By marrying the art of music into the homiletical practice of preaching, it is hoped that congregations would hear more "sermons that sing."

Snyder begins by giving us a landscape of four models of preaching, as advocated by eight contributors. The first is "Music in Preaching" (advocated by Thomas Troeger and Luke Powery) in which the preacher incorporates music into his message to let the whole sermon be attuned to the moving of the Spirit in the hearts of listeners. The second model is called "The musicality of preaching" (advocated by William Turner and Martha Simmons) where the preaching itself is seen as music. It is common to see preachers (especially African American preaching) using this method to break out into music in the middle of a sermon. A third model is called "Preaching as Music" (advocated by Kirk Byron Jones, Eugene Lowry, and Mike Graves) which utilizes the unique properties of music to narrate a sermon. Here, musical insights and homiletical strategies are combined. The fourth model is simply called "What musicians know" (advocated by Clayton Schmit) uses musical techniques and skills as metaphors to homiletical strategies. Snyder summarizes these methodologies and maps them out using a literal/metaphorical & intrinsic/extramusical matrix. Pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, he proposes to follow instead Jeremy Begbie as his musical-theological guide. Praising Begbie's "theological clarity" and musical methodology approach, aka "theology through music" approach. After comparing and contrasting the different approaches, Snyder chooses to focus on three key characteristics that both music and preaching shares: "synchrony, repetition, and teleology." In synchrony, the author looks at how both of them are used to shape community. In repetition, Snyder challenges the "familiarity breeds contempt" sentiment with a rebuttal, that repetition builds pleasure. Just like people remember sermons for repetitive ideas or concepts, music helps people remember tonality and rhythms. In teleology, we learn how music and preaching can be used to establish a sense of purpose. Finally, the author closes with a chapter that illustrates how the three characteristics work together. 

My Thoughts
This book is highly academic. Full of musical theory and homiletical concepts, readers who lack either of these skills might find it difficult to follow the arguments in the book. I would give my thoughts based on three perspectives: 1) Academic, 2) Preachers, and 3) Laypersons. For the academic or teacher, this book provides lots of opportunities for different theologians, scholars, and musicians to learn from one another. Without focusing on any one aspect, Snyder chooses to look at three common characteristics that both music and preaching could share. This is crucial because it keeps the conversation open-ended. I believe it is important not to be dogmatic about the different models and approaches. One might prefer one over the other, but the value of this conversation is to see how the other models could fill the gaps of any particular chosen model. Some of the differences between different models might be subtle, which warrants a closer read. Once the concepts are understood, the value to the preacher and musician is incredible. The second group is the preacher. I know there are some preachers who have the gift of music. They would welcome the ideas in this book more readily, given their musical background. Having said that, preachers who don't have musical skills could still engage musicians and song leaders to help them along. Perhaps, the continual interaction of ideas between musicians and the preachers could build community too! Finally, for the laypersons, I would hesitate to recommend this book to my congregation. I might share some of the concepts but they would have to be heavily illustrated. I guess the main audience of this book is the preacher, worship leaders, and perhaps, those who are contemplating becoming either the preacher, the musician, worship team, or just keenly interested. The rest of us are encouraged to listen in. 

Noel A. Snyder (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is program manager at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship at Calvin University and an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA). He was previously a chaplain and director of spiritual life at Alma College and an associate pastor of worship and discipleship at First Reformed Church. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife, Heidi, and their three children.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

---

This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.