The Heartbeat of worship

Singing

The Heartbeat of Worship: Singing the Gospel Story 

Hello, my name is Jeffrey Hoos. Before anything else, I want you to know I am simply a redeemed child of God. I’m also blessed to be a husband to a wonderful, Christ-loving wife and a father to a beautiful four-year-old son – gifts from God that remind me daily of my first calling: leading my family toward Christ through prayer, scripture, and learning together. 

Professionally, for nearly six years now, I’ve served as a full-time Worship Director (or Pastor, depending on the context), a path I’ve been on part-time since I was just 12 years old back in 1997. For eleven of those years, I pursued a parallel career as a classical singer, specializing as both a Baritone and Tenor in oratorio, opera, and major symphonic works across the globe. This journey also allowed me the privilege of conducting orchestras and choirs. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of this deep dive into music was learning how to teach voice – a passion rooted in my firm belief that anyone can learn to sing with the right guidance. 

A Shift In Focus: Hearing God’s Call More Clearly 

Recently, I made the decision to step back from my classical performance career. This wasn’t a light decision, as it brought me much success and joy over the years. However, several significant life events converged, prompting deep reflection. My mother, who first taught me about Jesus, passed away after a long battle with cancer. The global pandemic shifted priorities and funding away from the arts. During this time, my precious son was born, and we learned he has special needs – high-functioning autism. Then, two years ago, a severe accident left doctors questioning if I would walk again. 

Lying in a hospital bed for weeks, followed by the long process of recovery and relearning to walk, gave me an unexpected, quiet space to listen. It was a profound, personal experience of what the Apostle Paul relays from Jesus Himself: “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Even as I recovered and continued directing worship and singing classically, the joy I once found in performance began to fade. Instead, a persistent feeling I’ve had since childhood grew stronger – a calling toward full-time proclamation of the Gospel. 

For 17 years, I’ve dedicated myself to a serious study of theology, including the theology of music. God has graciously allowed me to share the Gospel within the classical music world, but I came to realize the limitations. I won’t boast in any results, because as 1 Corinthians 3 reminds us, some plant, some water, but God gives the growth. Yet, I saw an increasing need within the Church itself for clarity on what the Gospel truly is and what it means to live it out. In a world filled with confusion, often amplified by Satan, the author of confusion, even the Church can struggle for clarity. I believe God used my time of physical limitation to slow me down, to help me see His desire for me to focus solely on worship ministry: preaching the Gospel and crafting musical reflections of His glory and His incredible story. 

This path feels like coming home. I’ve been involved in worship music since I was 11, often alongside my wife – whom I’ve known since she was three! God’s providence brought us together through our shared love for Jesus and our commitment to serve Him with our lives, especially through music and how we love others. 

Why Do We Sing? Worship Music as Gospel Proclamation 

So, why is music so central? Why do we sing in worship? Why has music, in its many forms – classical, gospel, contemporary, chant, hymns – always been part of my life and the life of the Church? 

The simplest, yet most profound answer is this: Worship music is the Gospel sung. It is a repeated, heart-felt proclamation of the most incredible news: Jesus Christ came. He lived a perfect, sinless life we could never achieve. He willingly took our place, dying the death we deserved. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that In him we might become the righteousness of God.” And then, He rose from the grave, defeating death and offering us new life. This newness isn’t a one-time event; the Bible says we are a “new creation,” the old passes away daily. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” 

Singing these truths over and over embeds them in our hearts. Music itself is a gift, flowing from the “Father of lights,” as the Bible says. Martin Luther captured this powerfully: 

> “I firmly believe, nor am I ashamed to assert, that next to theology no art is equal to music; for it is the only one, except theology, which is able to give a quiet and happy mind. This is manifestly proved by the fact that the devil, the author of depressing care and distressing disturbances, almost flees from the sound of music as he does from the word of theology. This is the reason why the prophets practiced music more than any art and did not put their theology into geometry, into arithmetic, or into astronomy, but into music, intimately uniting theology and music, telling the truth in psalms and songs.” 

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Following the Example of Our Singing Savior 

Singing connects us directly to the example of Jesus Himself. Our Savior sang. It’s even speculated that passages in Ezekiel and Isaiah allegorically describe Satan as a chief musician in heaven before his fall, suggesting that perhaps humankind was created, in part, to fill that void of praise. 

We see Jesus, the Rabbi, engaging in the musical traditions of His culture. Having sung in Jewish temples during High Holy Days myself (as a hired soloist, not being Jewish), I know that rabbis sing. It’s fascinating that the very letters of the Hebrew language, the language of God’s chosen people, also functioned historically as a form of musical notation. The Psalms weren’t just poems; they were songs with inherent melodic direction. God, in His fullness, is a God of beauty, art, and music, revealing His creative glory. 

Consider Jesus announcing His mission in the Temple, quoting Isaiah, as recorded in Luke 4:18-19: 

> “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 

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Imagine Him, standing as the Rabbi, leading the service, quite possibly singing these words that defined His ministry. Think of Him singing with His disciples during festivals and the Last Supper. He perfectly fulfilled the Law, yet He emphasized its heart: loving one another as He loved us. Music seems woven into His fulfillment of all things. 

Even on the cross, perhaps that heart-wrenching cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” wasn’t a statement of abandonment, but the sung first line of Psalm 22. Weakened beyond measure, maybe He could only utter that opening phrase, while His mind clung to the rest of the Psalm – a Psalm that remarkably portrays the entire Gospel narrative, followed immediately by the comfort of Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd.” It’s a poignant thought about our suffering, singing Savior. 

Singing as Obedience, Transformation, and Unity 

When we sing, we obey Christ’s commands and participate in His mission. His words before ascending resonate: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). We sing the promises He gave, like those in John 16: 

> “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you… He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” 

> “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” 

> “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

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Singing these truths reminds us of God’s undeserved grace. The joy born from understanding the cross, expressed in song, invites the Holy Spirit among us in corporate worship. A room of 700 individuals becomes united by one Spirit, lifting one collective soul in praise as we proclaim the Gospel through music. 

This act transforms us. Paul, in Romans, speaks not of outward circumcision but of a circumcision “of the heart, by the Spirit,” where our praise comes from God, not people. He connects this inner renewal to worship, urging us in Romans 12 to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship," and to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind,” so we can discern God’s will. 

Interestingly, the Hebrew word lev encompasses both “heart” and “mind.” Context determines the nuance. Often, the “heart” represented the emotional aspect of the mind, while “mind” represented the logical. Jeremiah warns that the “heart is deceitful above all things.” Transformation, therefore, involves both emotion and reason, renewed through scripture and worship. The musical aspect of worship often touches the heart—the emotional seat—preparing it to receive the truth that transforms the mind. The effort we put into the music becomes part of our sacrifice, offered in a spirit reflecting Christ’s character. 

How do we cultivate that character? Through God’s Word. Scripture is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword… discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). It’s the “sword of the Spirit” in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:17). Paul urges us in Ephesians 5: 

> “…walk as children of light… try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord… Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil… do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always…” (Ephesians 5:8-20, paraphrased for flow) 

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And Colossians 3:16 adds: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” 

Singing scripture, therefore, is a powerful form of teaching, admonishing, giving thanks, and being filled with the Spirit. It allows the Word to penetrate our hearts through the vehicle of emotion stirred by music, paving the way for genuine transformation. 

A Call for Excellence and Inclusion: Everyone Has a Voice 

This powerful act of sung worship isn’t just for a select few. Psalm 150:6 declares: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” Everyone is included. But how should we praise? Psalm 33:3 urges us: “Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.” 

The Hebrew word for ”skillfully” implies excellence – the highest level possible for each individual. God deserves our best, relative to the abilities He has given us. Therefore, a crucial part of worship leadership is helping every person find their best voice for the Lord. Because of my training with world-class vocal specialists, God has equipped me to help people discover their singing potential, often quite quickly. This isn’t about creating flawless performers; it’s about empowering every willing heart to offer skillful praise. 

My Commitment: Gospel Centrality Through Music 

This brings me back to my own journey. I am no longer pursuing classical singing. God has shown me the immense need within the Church for clear, passionate, Gospel-centered worship. Whether the style is traditional, contemporary, or gospel, if the music carries the Word of God with excellence and passion, it effectively prepares hearts and minds for the preached Word, which remains the central focus of our gathering. Music helps till the soil of the heart so the seed of the Word can take root. 

Every day I might have spent solely on classical performance now feels like a missed opportunity compared to the potential of seeing even one soul drawn to Christ through Gospel-proclaimed-in-song. I believe the theology God has placed in my heart, the testimony of Christ made real in my own life, channeled through music, teaching, and loving people, can contribute to bringing many to Jesus. 

This feels especially urgent now. The world is adrift, and Satan actively targets our culture, particularly our children. The only defense is the truth of Scripture: we are sinners deserving judgment, but Jesus took our punishment upon Himself. Hearing this truth preached is vital. Hearing it sung powerfully reinforces it in our hearts. Imagine a non-believer hearing: 

> “And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, 

> Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; 

> That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, 

> He bled and died to take away my sin.” (from “How Great Thou Art”) 

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Or the profound grace in: 

> “He left His Father’s throne above, 

> So free, so infinite His grace; 

> Emptied Himself of all but love, 

> And bled for Adam’s helpless race; 

> ‘Tis mercy all, immense and free; 

> For, O my God, it found out me.” (from “And Can It Be”) 

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My desire is that people truly grasp the Gospel, experiencing heart transformation through both the spoken Word and the sung Word. I envision worship that is inclusive, excellent, and emotionally authentic, moving hearts to adoration – hands raised not out of obligation, but genuine response. We should worship now with the same fervor we will have when we see Christ face-to-face, because His Spirit is with us now, convicting the world and dwelling within us. 

Ultimately, it comes down to obedience. God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). How will they hear unless it is proclaimed? Worship music, done beautifully and skillfully, rooted in Scripture, is a powerful theology in itself, a vital part of preaching the Gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission. 

Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord. May our singing be a skillful, heartfelt echo of the greatest story ever told.