Congregational Singing in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church: an Examination of Engagement

CONGREGATIONAL SINGING IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH: AN EXAMINATION OF ENGAGEMENT By Anwar Ottley Liberty University A THESIS PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OR WORSHIP STUDIES i ii CONGREGATIONAL SINGING IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH: AN EXAMINATION OF ENGAGEMENT by Anwar Ottley A Theses Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Worship Studies Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA April, 2020 APPROVED BY: Hanna Byrd, D.W.S., Committee Chair Mindy Damon Ed.D., Committee Member Sean Beavers, D.M. Dean of the School of Music iii ABSTRACT Traditionally, Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) congregations are known for a rich history of worship music. However, the 21st century has introduced an expanded variety of worship music to reflect a number of musical genres found in American culture. SDA worship leaders face the challenge of engaging their congregations with songs that are reflective of the diverse cultures and ages represented, as well as achieving a balance of newer music and music from the historical SDA tradition. Nevertheless, without intuitive song selection, worship leaders may encounter disengagement among congregants during the time of congregational singing. This quantitative descriptive study measured which elements of congregational singing, melodic familiarity, lyrical content, and instrumental usage, engage congregants within urban SDA congregations. The results from the study supported the first hypothesis, that melodic familiarity engaged the most participants in the five songs examined. The second hypothesis which stated that, the musical element of instrumental usage will vary the most in levels of engagement according to age, was not supported by this research. Instrumental usage held the largest variation in one song, whereas melodic familiarity and lyrical content had much greater variance in 4 other songs. This information would allow SDA worship leaders to understand the impact various elements of music has on congregational engagement during the time of congregational singing. It would also provide an understanding of how to integrate these musical elements during the time of congregational singing, to engage the culturally and generationally diverse demographics of their congregants. Keywords: engagement, Seventh-day Adventist, congregational singing, diversity, worship, iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I dedicate this research to my heavenly Father. It has become more apparent that the pathway you have chosen for me includes this study and leading others to you through music. To my wife Sharlene, your constant encouragement and sacrifice along this journey is cherished. To my parents and sister, your continued support in each of my endeavors has been invaluable to my professional career and throughout this program. Lastly, I am deeply appreciative to my Takoma Park Church family, for assisting me in completing this degree and allowing me space and time to grow as your worship pastor over the last decade. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ ix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1 Background .......................................................................................................................... 1 Congregational Singing Through the Ages ............................................................. 1 A Brief History of Seventh-day Adventist Congregational Singing ..................... 10 Potential Challenges in Leadership among SDA Congregations .......................... 12 Problem Statement ............................................................................................................. 15 Significance of the Study ................................................................................................... 18 Primary Research Questions .............................................................................................. 19 Working Hypotheses ......................................................................................................... 20 Core Concepts .................................................................................................................... 21 Congregational Singing ......................................................................................... 22 Engagement ........................................................................................................... 22 Old, New and Hybrid ............................................................................................. 23 Definition of Terms ........................................................................................................... 24 Research Plan .................................................................................................................... 25 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................ 27 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 27 Conflicts with Cultural Diversity and Integration ............................................................. 28 SDA Views on Diversity: From Segregation to Integration .................................. 28 Theological Views on Cultural Diversity in WorshiP ........................................... 33 Generational Diversity ....................................................................................................... 37 Generations ............................................................................................................ 38 SDA Views on Generational Diversity ................................................................. 45 Theological Views on Generational Diversity ...................................................... 48 Engagement, Participation, and Gestures in WorshiP ....................................................... 51 Engagement ........................................................................................................... 52 Participation ........................................................................................................... 54 Gestures in WorshiP .............................................................................................. 57 Melody, Lyrical Content, and Instrumentation ................................................................. 58 Melodic Familiarity and Engagement ................................................................... 59 Lyrical Content and Engagement .......................................................................... 61 Instrumental Usage and Engagement .................................................................... 63 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................... 69 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 69 Research Design ................................................................................................................ 69 Research Questions and Hypothesis .................................................................................. 69 Participants ........................................................................................................................ 70 Setting ................................................................................................................................ 71 Procedure ........................................................................................................................... 71 Recruitment ........................................................................................................... 72 vi Testing ................................................................................................................... 72 Song Selection ....................................................................................................... 73 Data Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 77 Summary ............................................................................................................................ 77 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS ...................................................................................................... 79 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 79 Data Analysis: First Hypothesis ........................................................................................ 79 Song 1 .................................................................................................................... 79 Song 2 ...................................................................................................................

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