Keep singing! Hope is in the church – Part 2
Thanks to all of you responded to last week’s post, Live Longer! Hope is in the church.
It's good know that you love Brooks and Capehart as much as I do. Those guys are great.
And thanks to the one who asked,
“If I go to church more than four times a month, does that mean I’ll live even longer?”
The question may or may not have been posed by a pastor…asking for a friend.
This person may be on to something. You should test the theory and see if, being in church more than four times a month, you live to be 105. Wait. Some of you are already testing this out. I do declare – living to at least 105 or longer just might be in your future.
Friends, there’s more good news. A recent Washington Post article, Singing is good for you, even if you’re no Beyoncé promoted the health benefits of singing.
Guess who does communal singing at least once a week? Yesiree – every single person who is sitting in a chair or pew during worship.
Can I get an “Amen”?
Studies show that listening to music:
Helps your overall well-being
Reduces stress
Helps you cope with negative emotions
Can alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety
Daniel Bowling, a Stanford School of Medicine professor who studies music-based treatments for mental health (could there be a more fun research assignment?), says that communal singing or singing with a musical instrument is a bonus because it provides you with “some agency, you get ownership over what’s happening, and you can control it.”
Each time you sing in worship, you are helping your congregants to live a healthier, more stress-free life. That’s something to celebrate.
In fact, “singing karaoke was linked to increased feelings of flow and meaning in life, reported one 2022 study of 305 older adults.” I’m not suggesting that you include karaoke in your worship (Lord have mercy) but maybe you could sponsor a karaoke night once in a while. You know, for the continued joy-inducing health of your congregation.
Want a little inspiration? Check out this cool Music Bridge program that Forest Grove UMC is doing.
There you have it. Singing in church can make you healthier. Being part of a faith community can help you live longer.
For all its faults (and we know there are many), church is a place that many call home. It provides that sense of place, spiritual uplift, and a way to make meaning of life.
So, celebrate the church. Say hooray for your congregation. And sing a chorus or two of your favorite hymn or praise song.
Here’s to your health.
Photo credit: Israel Torres @ pexels.com
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Upcoming webinar! I’ll be leading Legacy Giving 101: Developing a Simple Program for your Congregation on August 12. It’ll be offered twice: 11am-12pm and from 7-8pm. You can register now.
My friend, the Rev. Dr. Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship & Generosity for the General Board of Discipleship, is offering an online course, Creating a Narrative Budget – The Story Behind the Numbers. Check it out.
Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship – helping with capital campaigns and encouraging more generosity. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgeneorsity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered. Click on the link below. If you’re thinking about offering a little karaoke in church, you may want to think again.
Schedule a meeting now.
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