Several years ago I spent some of my continuing education allowance to attend an event that taught me a lesson that I will never forget – one that continues to teach me day after day after day. I am sad to report that I do not remember the who, the what, the when, or the where of this important event – but – to this day I continue to benefit from the lesson I learned that day.

The person presenting began with a very simple question: “How many of you, from your childhood, remember a complete sermon – verbatim?” Much to our surprise – one person raised a hand. Following some further inquiry the person explained: “Yes, my father served as a supply preacher when I was growing up. I heard him preach each and every week – in a different location – the same sermon.”

Second question: “How many of you, from your childhood, remember a complete Church School lesson – verbatim?” This time no one raised a hand – but – we immediately started to exchange memories of wonderful and less-than-wonderful teachers and events in our lives. My memories took me to Mr. Warner – who taught my Sunday class at the local United Methodist congregation when I was in the sixth grade. Mr. Warner also happened to be the principal of the school I was attending at the time. We was a wonderful teacher – both on Sundays and during the week – he taught reading to sixth graders at our school. However, my vivid memory of him was the number of perfect attendance Sunday School pins that he wore on the lapel of his suit jacket – so many that he surely titled to the side where they were displayed. But – no one could remember a complete lesson – verbatim.

Third question: “How many of you, from your childhood, remember songs that you learned in worship and Sunday School?” We started singing – and continued singing – and continued singing – for at least the next 30 minutes before the person presenting the event asked us to stop – even though we were no where near finishing the list of songs that we ALL knew and could still sing.

Fourth and final question: “Where did you learn your earliest lessons of the faith, of theology, of God, of Jesus?” We ALL knew the answer – from the faith that we were taught through our singing as children.

The presenter made one final point – “So be careful what you sing in worship – because that is what you are teaching – that is what people will remember – that is what people will use as the basic understanding of life – that is the language of faith they are learning.”

Naturally, in the days, weeks, months, and years before I was ordained as a pastor I told this story as often as possible to help people understand the importance of music in a community of faith. I was fortunate to work with a number of pastors who completely understood and agreed with the lesson I learned from this event. Following my ordination I still remember that same lesson – there is a great likelihood that people will learn more from the songs we sing in worship than from any sermon that I might ever have the opportunity to deliver.

In the next post I will tell the story of the final portion of this continuing education event and the importance of being very intentional about the way that we assist people in learning the language.