Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Music and Worship


Singing is a universal expression and a very personal expression.  The instrument making the music is the human body and the act of living and breathing is its engine.  Singing creates music of beauty and inspiration that is delightful to the singer and the listener.  Choral singing is necessarily a cooperative situation.  It brings people together and builds friendships and closeness among those that may not even meet under average circumstances. 


Choral music is found in every community and culture. I work in an area that has long dominated the art:  The Church.  Choral singing has been a strong tradition of the Christian Church for many centuries.  Music in the church serves various functions. These functions include: Education of people in the music of the church;  Teaching Christian doctrine through music; Increasing active participation by the congregation in worship; Emphasizing Christian truth in a way that sparks emotion and memory.  


I believe that when humans worship, God is the audience.  Worship is not so much about satisfying church members, but about praising God and returning love to Him.  Those of us in worship leadership represent the entire congregation in corporate worship.  We must not take lightly the responsibility.   We sometimes forget that worship is important to God.  Caine and Abel had a disagreement over worship and in that case, God had been clear about what constituted worship - a sacrificial lamb.  Caine’s worship offering of fresh produce did not fit the criteria, and was not accepted by God.  Music in worship is a ministry that can play a part in opening hearts to God.  What an astonishing responsibility!
    
Every successful leader of worship will desire to teach the young person, and the adult person in the church to successfully participate in singing.  There is a responsibility to add to the general musical education for the children of the church. This education will offer a tonal and rhythmic foundation that can be broadened with choral activities and the exploration of hymns in congregational singing.  The result is an increased musical literacy that will add to musical integrity within the church.

Worship leaders must desire to teach the adult choir to read music successfully, to understand rhythm, and to sing confidently with no instrumental accompaniment as needed.  Choirs need to be inspired with meaningful anthems for services so that their communication through music will come from the heart.  


Encourage the choir to be its best as a group, and to individually experience success in other aspects of their lives.  We must aid the self esteem of each person that sings.  We must  nurture the weak singer so that they will see their value, and will desire to be stronger.

Building a strong choral program within a church is a process that is rewarding in itself.  Continued effort on the part of the director and the singers will plant seeds for growth of the choir program, and even growth of the entire church.


“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”     Philippians 4:8

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