Martin Luther wrote in 1523 that he penned hymns “so that the Word of God may be among the people in the form of music.” Looking back from the distance of five hundred years, it seems clear that he succeeded marvelously. Today, however, this musical reformation stands to be renewed. There is a unique quality to making music together, whether around a campfire or around the piano at home or in church, that other forms of interaction with music don’t quite match. Giving up these traditional musical practices wholesale would be a great loss, especially since church is one of the few places where people still make music together in this way.

What can you do to bolster a culture of communal singing?