I have not been to the opera for a very long time. In fact, about the only way I enjoy the sonic rumblings of a Bass Baritone or the heavenly heights of a Soprano is through the ear buds of my MP3 player.

The problem is that I can rarely understand a word I'm listening to. This is partly due to the fact that most operas are written in Italian, German or pretty much any language other than English. My native tongue doesn't really lend itself to the wide, open sounds of foreign lectionaries.

If I was to visit the Opera House and enjoy the full scope of a performance, then my experience would be complemented with English subtitles. I would be able to understand why the fat guy looks so upset, or the lady with the big wig is smiling like a Cheshire cat.

When I'm listening on my iPod, I don't understand a word of what I'm hearing. But to be honest, I don't care. I have no idea what Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is singing, but it doesn't matter. I'm listening for experience, not for meaning.

However, when I gather for church, it's different. I need to understand what I'm hearing. I haven't gathered for a mere emotional experience. I've gathered to engage with God in the fellowship of others. We're there to meet God in his word. So, we need to understand the meaning of every utterance.

This is what God has in mind in 1 Corinthians 14, when the Apostle Paul told the church that "he would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue." (1 Corinthians 14:19).
Fortunately, almost all of the music I hear in churches is in English. Yet, not all of it is intelligible.

When a full band accompanies a vocalist, it is often difficult to understand the lyrics. Even with the most professional musicians and technical staff, it is hard to derive meaning from a performance item.

It would seem that the best solution is to follow the lead of the opera and provide the congregation with subtitles. With a bit of creativity, a band or a soloist could develop PowerPoint slides that display the words, whilst also adding some extra atmosphere through the choice of accompanying images.

Our lyricists expend enormous energy crafting the shape of the words to the songs. Let's see if we can see the fruit of their labour so we can be edified, together.