Sing, Even if You’re Off Key

I love to sing in church. In fact, the congregational singing portion of our services is my favorite part. You might assume, as a pastor, that it would be the preaching, but honestly, nothing moves me more than hearing God’s people lift their voices together.

Here’s the thing about my singing, though: I’m pretty tone-deaf. I struggle to stay on pitch, and I’m usually behind when the congregation starts clapping. Actually, I look around at others to see when to clap! Some people are gifted with beautiful voices, hitting every note with ease. And then there are others—like me—who are, shall we say, musically challenged.

But here’s what I’ve learned: the church needs my voice just as much as it needs the pitch-perfect ones.

In Ephesians 5:18–19, Paul writes, “Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” What matters far more than the sound coming out of your mouth is the posture of your heart.

There is more beauty in an off-pitch voice that is submitted to the Lord than in a perfectly tuned voice with a rebellious heart.

Each time we gather for worship, whether you’re on key or gloriously off key, remember that we are joining our voices to publicly confess the greatness of God and the truth of who He is according to Scripture.

So the next time you gather with the church… sing.

Your voice will bless someone else. It will strengthen their faith—and your own—far more than you realize.