Sleeping during preaching is indirectly facilitated by background music

In quest for why so many people fell asleep in church this past Friday during the Passover service, soft music that was playing while the pastor was preaching was the first suspect. Quickly I related this to lullaby songs and their purpose, and this made me strongly believe that I have gotten the answer to the problem.

Let’s see what research revealed.

1. According to org, music has been shown to decrease levels of a stress hormone called cortisol. It also triggers the release of dopamine, which can boost good feelings at bedtime and may help manage pain. Dopamine plays a role in regulating the sleep–wake cycle. Certain types of music improve the ability to fall asleep quickly and feel more rested. Music beat of around 60 to 80 beats per minute work for this purpose. This is because normal resting heart rates range from 60 to 100 BPM. It’s often hypothesized that the body may sync up with slower music. People across age groups report better sleep quality after listening to calming music.

2. AI Gemini by Google advises that the following type of music improves sleep.

• Classical music: Especially slow, tranquil melodies.
• Nature sounds: Such as rain, ocean waves, or birdsong.
• Ambient music: A type of electronic music often used for relaxation and meditation.
• Soft jazz: Some find it calming and relaxing.
• Meditative music: Can help quiet the mind and promote relaxation

The above revelation about soft music gives me high levels of confidence to believe that playing music while the pastor is preaching promotes sleeping in church.

I appreciate that most music players and pastors are not aware of this reality. Many churches have adopted the culture of playing music while preaching. Some pastors even gotten used to it such that they request for it whenever they preach, not knowing that it has adverse effects on the audience.

Origins of the practice

According to Gemini AI, the practice of playing music while preaching, particularly in the context of preaching chords, is rooted in the traditions of African American churches, specifically in Baptist and Pentecostal denominations. While the exact origin is debated, it’s generally believed to have emerged in the early or mid-20th century, coinciding with a shift towards more charismatic and musical preaching styles. This style of preaching, which often incorporates call-and-response patterns and musical accompaniment, is thought to have been influenced by the cultural traditions of African American churches and their use of music in worship.

Conclusion

I blame no one but the devil for this practice. In Acts 13:12, the Bible tells us that the devil is deceitful and cunning.  Perhaps when this started the intentions were good but overlooked the negative effects it might have.  True as it may that the release of dopamine while music plays also improves alertness, it also improves sleep.

I advocate for churches to never play music while a sermon is being delivered because of the undesired likely consequence of causing the listeners to sleep. If there really is a need to play music while the preacher is preaching, then it better be above 100 beats per minute and not soft.