I have long been fascinated by invitation songs. There are several reasons for this, which I
shall review below, but first, I think it’s appropriate to consider exactly what an invitation song is,
and what it is intended to accomplish.
Even as I write this, I realize there are congregations which have moved away from the use
of invitation songs. Some no longer extend the invitation at all. I’m afraid some have discontinued
extending the Lord’s invitation because they no longer believe anyone is going to respond to it.
They feel it is disheartening to stand and sing an invitation song time after time, with no visible
responses. But I think those who have gone down this road have missed an important point. Not
every response to the Lord’s invitation is visible. Many respond to the preaching of the Gospel
with a changed heart, a new outlook, a renewed determination, and this occurs even when there
may be no outward indication of a response at all. I’d like to suggest for your consideration that
many of these responses occur during the singing of what we know as the “invitation song.” And
for that reason, I for one am not in favor of discontinuing the practice of singing powerful invitation
songs.
An “invitation song” is a song used to invite and encourage those in attendance to make an
affirmative response to the preaching of the Gospel. Through the musical use of well-conceived
poetry and powerful mental images, attendees are motivated to respond now, while their heart is
tender and touched by the message they have just heard.
A good invitation song evokes solid, scriptural evidence, and brings it to bear upon the heart
of the sincere seeker of truth. And it does so at a time when that heart is receptive, open to the
saving gospel. The penitent singer, who stands with the congregation and hears the blended, united
voices of compassionate and caring souls, is moved with a proper mixture of reason and emotion.
He is urged to put into practice what has just been preached—and to do it now.
People often need encouragement to respond in obedience to heaven’s call. It is too easy to
postpone obedience until “some more convenient time.” The invitation song forces the hearer to
consider the urgency of the situation. Through the use of well written poetic lyrics, the attraction
of the sermon just preached is enhanced and focused.
The song must be led properly. It should not be allowed to drag, or proceed too slowly, thus
draining its emotional appeal. It should generally be sung enthusiastically, urgently by every
member of the church. The song leader should begin the singing immediately when the preaching
ends, reinforcing the theme of urgency in response to the gospel. This is not something to be
delayed or handled casually. “Behold, now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation!” (2
Corinthians 6:2). Not tomorrow, not next week or next year but now! The song repeats and
reinforces that thought as a sober and motivating call to immediate obedience.
I am fascinated when I hear a powerful invitation song capably led and well-sung by the
congregation. I have watched it work on people. Standing at the front, looking back over the
congregation during the singing of such songs, I have seen the power of the gospel working in the
hearts of people—urging them toward obedience. No, I would not recommend giving up this
powerful tool. Rather, I would suggest we use it more fully and more deliberately.
Some of the finest musical compositions in the song book are in the nature of invitation
songs. Not all of them are categorized that way, but the discerning song leader is able to select
them appropriately, especially when he coordinates his selection with the theme and message of
the sermon. Such a combination can have amazing results because it utilizes the power of the
gospel. It channels the power of the spoken word from oratory to music, and allows the sinner to
visualize his own obedience. It stirs the heart and conscience, and makes obedience appear proper
and appropriate.
Song leaders, please give careful thought to what you are doing, especially when you are
leading the invitation song. There are souls that stake! And the way you conduct this part of the
worship service may well determine the eternal destiny of some of those souls.
