I mostly read books from older, past away figures but I happened to be given a book written by Keith and Kristyn Getty (not old and not past away). Before I go on I must talk about how I first discovered this couple.
One of my favorite Christian music artists is Shane & Shane. Something about their sincerity and their proclamation of Christ alone has drawn me to them. One song from their Hymns Live album I deeply enjoy: “My Worth Is Not In What I Own”. I figured, being a hymns album, that all the songs were written hundreds of years ago. But then, oddly enough, watching a documentary with Jordan Peterson on the Bible entitled: “Logos & Literacy” there was a man in the documentary I have never noticed before. After doing some research I found out this man’s name: Keith Getty. And after clicking a few more times I then found out who wrote that hymn that I enjoyed so much: Keith and his wife, Kristyn, Getty. Full Circle!
In short, they are excellent modern day Christian artists who have a passion for Christ. They are wonderful at writing all types of songs but most well known for their Hymn type writing. Most of you would know them for their all time famous song: “In Christ Alone”. That being said, they wrote a book entitled: “Sing!”
Summary
Sing! is a quick read that encourages Christians to, well, sing! However, Keith and Kristyn go into much detail on what areas of life we are to sing in, as commanded in scripture, and how doing so impacts our lives, our family, our church, and those outside of the faith. They write in a concentric circle format. Meaning, singing begins with your heart and your walk with Christ. As you sign by yourself you then will extend that with your family. Once you are singing as a family you are to learn to sing with your church congregation. As the church sings together it produces Christians whose chief joy is to sing about the love and work of Christ and the character of God which then impacts the unsaved souls around us. Concentric Circles.
The Getty’s want to get to the heart and importance of singing in our faith. I will admit, if there’s any subject that is greatly neglected, not talked about, instructed on, and certainly not many books (or at least good books) written on – it would be the subject of singing. The Getty’s know this and therefore took it upon themselves, as a call and ministry they have been given by God, to write on the subject. Let me be the first to say, they did a delightful job.
They end the book with personal chapters to Pastors, Worship Leaders, Musicians, and Song Writers. Encouraging them, instructing them, and edifying them in their ministry as it particularly pertains to singing. What I love is their insistence on one’s personal walk with Christ. No advice will do any good if we are not walking day by day in an intimate relationship with Jesus. The Getty’s stress this and greatly encourage this to be a focus of all.
Conclusion
I would like everyone to read this. I think it is the only book on singing that I have on my shelf and I certainly won’t forget it. As said before, it is a greatly neglected subject and, in 2023, there is lots of confusion and falsehood around true, Christ centered, singing. This book does a great job cutting right to the center no matter where you come from in the line of faith. Singing is given to us by God, for God, to be sung through God and His Holy Spirit. So get the book and go “Sing!”.