Disclaimer: Right off the top let me say this is not a perfect analogy. Having said that, I do think there are some similarities between my experience at the recent conference of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada and the Olympic games.
What is it about the Olympic Games that is so captivating? I know, everyone out there is not like me. In fact, I’ve read Facebook statuses that tell me some out there have no interest whatsoever in following the competition and results. And in case you think my captivation comes from being a frustrated athlete, let me assure you nothing could be farther from the truth! My athletic endeavours reach from a bike ride to wrestling with the creeping charley in my lawn. I am, however, what I like to call an emotional sympathizer. Yes, my eyes get teary when a Canadian wins, especially if our anthem is played, but I also react when other countries’ athletes win. It’s very moving to see the effort that is made to accomplish their goals!
One thing I find interesting during the Olympics is how many times the commentators will mention that athlete A from country B trains alongside athlete C from country D. They know each other, respect each other’s abilities and yet compete against each other with excellence. Often, say at the end of a race, there seem to be genuine good wishes exchanged between competitors. Sometimes, one athlete will even help an opposing one cross the finish line. Did you see Brit Andy Turner help Liu Xiang of China do just that at the 110 metre hurdles heat?
At the July conference of The Hymn Society, denominational lines blurred to the point of being obliterated. Although many different churches from many different parts of North America were represented, it seemed to me to be a matter of little consequence. We were all there pursuing a common purpose – excellence in worship. Some of those attending were professional musicians but others were physicists, drama teachers, mathematicians and pastors. Recognizing a common goal will bring unity out of diversity.
I did warn you that this whole comparison doesn’t completely work. The Olympic motto is often translated as “faster, higher, stronger”. Singing ‘faster’ – well, let’s just say I’ve been in some services where the leaders could have taken this to heart! On the other hand, a congregation shouldn’t feel so rushed that they can’t think about the words they’re singing. The ‘higher’ part of the motto really doesn’t seem to fit. In fact, I have an unsubstantiated theory that as society sings less in public, the pitch of songs ought to go down in a parallel line. Striving to sing ‘stronger’ in worship will nearly always help whether it be physical thing we exert or an emotional and spiritual strength.
Maybe my readers can think of some other aspects of the Olympics that compare to (or contrast with) hymn singing.
