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What If I Don't Like My Church's Music?
Pastor and Hymn Writer Matthew Boswell Shows Christians How to Set Aside Personal Preferences and Put God First in Worship
When believers worship as one, they delight in the Lord, encourage each other, and declare God’s glory to the world. But sometimes, singing together can be difficult, or even frustrating, due to incompatible music styles or traditions. How can Christians overcome these differences and learn to sing in harmony?
In this accessible booklet, pastor and musician Matthew Boswell helps readers offer heartfelt, Christ-centered praise during church, even when they don’t like the music or aren’t familiar with the lyrics. He emphasizes the biblical significance of worship in a person’s relationship with God, their discipleship with fellow believers, and their witness to others. Redirecting the focus away from personal preferences, this booklet reminds Christians of the many reasons they have to glorify God with thankful hearts.
Developed to give Scripture-based insight into common questions around corporate worship Edifying for Church Congregants and An accessible resource for those new to church or Christians looking to revitalize worship in their congregations Part of the Church Questions Other titles include How Can I Make the Most of Sunday Services?; Why Should I Join a Church?; and What Is the Church’s Mission?
When believers worship as one, they delight in the Lord, encourage each other, and declare God’s glory to the world. But sometimes, singing together can be difficult, or even frustrating, due to incompatible music styles or traditions. How can Christians overcome these differences and learn to sing in harmony?
In this accessible booklet, pastor and musician Matthew Boswell helps readers offer heartfelt, Christ-centered praise during church, even when they don’t like the music or aren’t familiar with the lyrics. He emphasizes the biblical significance of worship in a person’s relationship with God, their discipleship with fellow believers, and their witness to others. Redirecting the focus away from personal preferences, this booklet reminds Christians of the many reasons they have to glorify God with thankful hearts.
Developed to give Scripture-based insight into common questions around corporate worship Edifying for Church Congregants and An accessible resource for those new to church or Christians looking to revitalize worship in their congregations Part of the Church Questions Other titles include How Can I Make the Most of Sunday Services?; Why Should I Join a Church?; and What Is the Church’s Mission?
48 pages, Paperback
Published November 4, 2025
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21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 28, 2025
The latest book in the "Church Question" series of booklets from Crossway is from pastor and hymn writer (“His Mercy is More”), Matt Boswell. He writes that for some Christians singing is their least favorite part of corporate worship. He asks whether the reader sees congregational singing as a gift to enjoy or a burden to bear?
He tells us that no matter what frustrations you may have with your church’s music, he hopes that this short booklet will help you navigate those challenges and point you to some of the glorious reasons you have to lift your voice in song during worship. The goal of the booklet is to help you understand the Bible’s vision for what it looks like for God’s people to sing together.
Boswell uses Psalm 96: 1-3 as his “home base” for the book. In that psalm, David gives three reasons why Christians sing together: singing is an act of worshiping God, an act of discipling others, and ultimately an act of witnessing to the world. The author tells us that Psalm 96 introduces us to two important truths we need to remember if we’re struggling with the music in our churches. First, God commands singing. Second, he commands singing because church music is ultimately about worshiping him, not meeting our preferences.
Boswell tells us that we sing as an act of obedience. We sing because our singing pleases God. He tells us that singing isn’t a divine suggestion; it is a holy commandment. And like all of God’s commands, it’s not a burden to weigh us down but a law that lifts us up.
The author tells us that sing isn’t ultimately about us. It’s ultimately about extolling God for his glory. He tells us that if you don’t like your church’s music, that’s okay. It’s not really for you. It’s a vehicle for you to bless God’s name with other redeemed sinners. We don’t sing because we like the music, because it’s led particularly well, or because it fits our style. We sing because it’s appropriate to respond to fresh grace with fresh songs.
In response to what you should do if you don’t like your church’s music, Boswell tells us to sing anyway. He tells us to remember that we aren’t singing for ourselves, we are singing for God.
Boswell tells us that congregational singing is an act of worship offered to the living God by a group of fellow believers who participate together in Christ by faith. When we gather to sing, we’re not soloists but choir members who have responded to God’s own invitation to join with all the earth in praise. Christian singing isn’t a private act for personal enjoyment. It’s an act of service.
Boswell tells us that engaging in the work of congregational singing is one way every believer builds up the body of Christ. Not everyone preaches. We don’t all pray or publicly read Scripture. But each of us who is in Christ can have an effective ministry edifying the whole church through song.
The direction of our singing is vertical and horizontal; it’s both Godward and manward. As we extol God for his mercy, we are at the same time telling one another of the wondrous things that God has done. The goal of congregational singing is to glorify God by encouraging one another in song.
This booklet is helpful in discussing the purpose of congregational singing.
He tells us that no matter what frustrations you may have with your church’s music, he hopes that this short booklet will help you navigate those challenges and point you to some of the glorious reasons you have to lift your voice in song during worship. The goal of the booklet is to help you understand the Bible’s vision for what it looks like for God’s people to sing together.
Boswell uses Psalm 96: 1-3 as his “home base” for the book. In that psalm, David gives three reasons why Christians sing together: singing is an act of worshiping God, an act of discipling others, and ultimately an act of witnessing to the world. The author tells us that Psalm 96 introduces us to two important truths we need to remember if we’re struggling with the music in our churches. First, God commands singing. Second, he commands singing because church music is ultimately about worshiping him, not meeting our preferences.
Boswell tells us that we sing as an act of obedience. We sing because our singing pleases God. He tells us that singing isn’t a divine suggestion; it is a holy commandment. And like all of God’s commands, it’s not a burden to weigh us down but a law that lifts us up.
The author tells us that sing isn’t ultimately about us. It’s ultimately about extolling God for his glory. He tells us that if you don’t like your church’s music, that’s okay. It’s not really for you. It’s a vehicle for you to bless God’s name with other redeemed sinners. We don’t sing because we like the music, because it’s led particularly well, or because it fits our style. We sing because it’s appropriate to respond to fresh grace with fresh songs.
In response to what you should do if you don’t like your church’s music, Boswell tells us to sing anyway. He tells us to remember that we aren’t singing for ourselves, we are singing for God.
Boswell tells us that congregational singing is an act of worship offered to the living God by a group of fellow believers who participate together in Christ by faith. When we gather to sing, we’re not soloists but choir members who have responded to God’s own invitation to join with all the earth in praise. Christian singing isn’t a private act for personal enjoyment. It’s an act of service.
Boswell tells us that engaging in the work of congregational singing is one way every believer builds up the body of Christ. Not everyone preaches. We don’t all pray or publicly read Scripture. But each of us who is in Christ can have an effective ministry edifying the whole church through song.
The direction of our singing is vertical and horizontal; it’s both Godward and manward. As we extol God for his mercy, we are at the same time telling one another of the wondrous things that God has done. The goal of congregational singing is to glorify God by encouraging one another in song.
This booklet is helpful in discussing the purpose of congregational singing.
December 29, 2025
This short book (40 pages) packs a serious punch! It was helpful, encouraging, and convicting.
November 4, 2025
Knocks it out of the park.
December 27, 2025
Brief, simple, and excellently exposited. At only 40 pages long, this concise booklet is one that all believers would benefit from reading.
January 19, 2026
This booklet might have been served better as an article. I appreciate it and the truth within but found myself wandering at times if it was lengthened to publish as a booklet.
November 19, 2025
A must read for every passionate worshiper of Jesus! This book takes our focus off of our preferences and puts it on the One who matters most.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews