Sing Hallelujah...

I like to sing (a, about the moona and the juna and springa....).

I'm not fantastic, but I can carry a tune. I've even been assigned the title of worship leader at my church. I lead singing during our three worships each week with some other gentlemen that spell me from time to time.

It's not easy. I spent years sitting in the pew making snide comments about how each song was too slow, too fast, too low, too high, or just one that I didn't like. Singing from your heart is much easier in the relative anonymity of the congregation. It's amazing how much easier it is to be sharp or flat with a microphone in front of you. I have a much better understanding what it means to "lead singing." The singing isn't the issue, it's the leading.

Everyone leads a little differently, (some more differently that others granted) but the key for me is to keep going no matter what...I've only had a few MAJOR train wrecks, and even those weren't as bad as I perceived them to be. There have been songs that I've led (and continue to lead) that strictly subscribe to the Joyful Noise theory. There have been songs that I've led that left me with goose bumps (in a good way.)

All this to say the following:

1. I apologize to all those I've criticized (fairly or unfairly) in the past. I now know how hard you work and realize the collective guts it takes to do it.
2. I apologize for all the songs that I've "murdered" in the last 6 months. Either it was purely accidental, or I just thought I knew it better than I did.
3. I apologize for not singing your favorite song often enough, or for singing the song you hate more often than you can take.
4. I apologize for singing new songs if you like the old and vice versa.
5. I apologize for being too intent when I watch someone else lead, I'm just trying to learn...
6. I apologize for getting caught up in singing instead of praising God.

This is clearly a work in progress. I spend part of each day trying to learn something new or polish something I should already know.

I appreciate all those who support me with voices and pats on the back, it keeps me singing as I go.

Chris