Without Limits: Singing the Congregation’s Song

From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures reveal a motif of persecution. Before he became king, David, the warrior-musician, lived in dangerous situations, mostly on the run from a jealous, unpredictable King Saul. David kept two sets of weapons in his arsenal. He not only wielded his sword for battle, but wielded his musical instrument to accompany Psalms of praise and lament. He knew how to face a dangerous situation. He sang! Biblical, vibrant worship that is culturally relevant will sustain God’s people through trial. “Singing dangerously” is a title that plays or toys with words. It could mean: “singing through dangerous times,” or “I will do something dangerous, and sing during my trials. Referencing historical snapshots along with present-day narratives, this presentation will reveal the ways people endured trials through worship. The presentation will include a brief introduction to Heart Sounds International, a volunteer fellowship that encourages musicians from emerging local churches in restricted parts of the world to compose Scripture-based worship songs using indigenous melodies and rhythms. HSI is one of the ministries helping to document the singing of the persecuted church.