Bad Singing
Squawk! Squawk! Squawk! This is how many of us view our singing voices. It is not that we do not enjoy singing. We can sing to the point of no voice left when alone in the car or shower. Yes, it is true sometimes our thought that we may not have melodious singing voice is true. Yet, somewhere out there are folks whose singing we would happily listen to all day long. Their voices seem to be just perfect. This being what it may, judgment of singing voices has made its way into the Church and this is not to its favor.
I have mentioned the following in other writings, but it bears mentioning here. For years I attended an event where young people would gather in both random and planned gatherings to sing. The young men would take turns leading the songs and it was truly a joy to witness. Young hearts and voices blended in song directed at their God and one another in truly uplifting moments. Of course, the innocence of those moments has since been robbed. The youth are now led by a “song director”, because evidently those young men, glad to be lending their voices to God, were not good enough. Beyond this setting, in more progressive congregations, individual voices are being amplified with microphones above others or praise teams are leading the way because congregation’s voice being judged by men is not good enough to present to God as it is. 
Most recently I attended a congregation where only two men led the singing every Sunday. The congregation had many able-bodied men to lead, but the two had taken control of the song service and did not want anyone else involved. When approached with the prospect of involving others, the men had multiple meetings arguing against such an occurrence. Their reasoning was that no one else could sing properly. According to these men, they felt the song leader must sing at the right pace, in the right key, gesturing with their hands in the correct manner, able to blend songs and switch octaves, and make the song service “fun”. Traditional songs were being phased out and more conventional were being phased in. The judgment was not on the content of the song, but upon the image being presented. Their direction was ultimately to introduce clapping, beatboxing, and a festive, emotional atmosphere into the worship of God. They didn’t have a care in the world as to whether the songs were patriotic, biblical, or irreverent. It was all about the show, attention, and the power.
What does God want?
Peter 1:14-16 – “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
God wants to be treated in a holy manner. Not in a secular profane show of vanity.
John 4:24 – “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
God wants hearts focusing on worship in the correct pattern demonstrated in scripture.
Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
God wants (according to the apostle Paul) teaching, admonishing, and utterance, through the vehicle of singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, offered from our hearts to Him. No other mode of conveying this sacrifice is given other than through singing. Neither clapping, beatboxing, or playing is authorized to convey what God has commanded.
It is especially important when examining what God desires to note that he never demanded any particular type of voice. He never mandated gesturing a perfect beat. In fact, he never ever required musical notes of any kind be followed or learned. He did establish the congregation needed to sing, do so with reference to Him, and do so from their hearts. If His followers do this and do this only, they will be pleasing in His sight. Do not let men-pleasers steer your worship in the wrong direction. Follow God’s commands only and you will never sing a sour note.