7. Ten Reasons We Need The Choir

Obviously I'm partial to choirs, choir music, and choir singing. However, I have good reason to be. Let's get right to it, shall we?

(Greater Mount Calvary Celebration Choir, 10th Anniversary Concert, photo courtesy of Deshon Gales)

1. Choirs mirror Heaven and the angelic host
Luke 2:13-14 declares that the Angelic Host Choir sang to announce the birth of Jesus and give praise to God.  Choirs give praise in our weekly services by lifting their voices and proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. On earth, as it is in Heaven....

2. Choirs give opportunity for musical service
Many churches have reverted to only having praise teams instead of a full choir.  Usually a praise team consists of 6-8 people.  If your church is small, this makes perfect sense as there may not be an influx of people who have musical gifts and talents.  However, if you have a church of 100 people or more, there are more than 6-8 people in your congregation with the gift to sing. It slights those who are gifted to sing and short-changes your church and worship experience when you don't provide an adequate opportunity for those who have singing ability to use it in God's house. The more the merrier!

3. Choirs bring a sense of belonging
Not only is the opportunity to serve musically in the house important, but it's also important for singers to be able to self-identify with other individuals who love to sing God's praises. Choir members probably fellowship (officially and unofficially) just as much or more than they sing.  Christians should fellowship with one another, and having a choir in your church gives an opportunity for great camaraderie with those who have similar interests and gifts. Choirs also serve as family for those who may be in your church but away from their home and blood relatives.

4. Choirs can minister holistically to the body
Praise teams have a set assignment in the house of God. Their job is to bring the people into one accord so that we can corporately worship.  The choir's job is a little different. While the choir can and does do the same job as the praise team, the choir can also encourage, tell biblical stories set to music, remind, warn, and even express sentiments about current events.  As parishioners come to God's house each week, they are coming to be equipped and empowered for life once they leave church. An encouraging word in song from the choir can be just what someone needed to hear in order to lift them to another level.

5. Choirs bring variety to the service
Again, in contrast to praise teams, choirs have a much wider range of music that they can do. It is expected (or should be) that what is shared during praise and worship is simple enough that a "non-singer" can catch it and worship along with the worship leaders.  While many choir selections may be singable by the average congregant, choirs are also able to minister anthems, hymns, chants and more polished, exciting, and challenging pieces that can add quite a bit to any church service.

(Ricky Dillard and New G at their live recording in Toronto, Canada, photo courtesy of the web)

6. Choirs train singers on multiple levels
Some of the best choirs in the world are able to effectively do several different genres of music, all while giving glory to God through the use of their voices. Choirs can train singers in many different musical genres, but choirs also train people for life.  I first joined the "Twilight Choir" at my home church when I was four years old. It was in the choir where I learned and developed discipline, working well with others, and being accountable in ministry.

7. Choirs can get a point across to the congregation
The importance of the preached Word of God cannot be stated enough.  With that said, preachers often ridicule the music ministry with statements like, "The Word is the only thing that is going to last." Well, if the choir isn't singing the Word of God, then what are we singing?  Think about this.  When we were in preschool, they taught us our ABCs.  We did not learn them by simply writing them on paper or having them recited to us.  We first had to memorize them. How did they make sure that we could do this quickly and easily? They set the ABCs to music.  The musical component brought a methodical and patterned sensibility to what we were learning.  Congregants will often remember a song before they remember a sermon.

8. Choirs are yet relevant
Choirs have evolved over the years. I sometimes watch old videos on YouTube of Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers from Chicago.  Back in the 1950's, there were videos of them singing in what looked like graduation robes and barely moving (not even swaying to the beat) while singing.  However, if you look at a video of them from the 1980s and 90s, the robes were eye catching, the movement was more exciting, and the sound was more captivating.  They were even known more popularly as "The Thommies" by this time. They evolved.  Today's choirs don't have to necessarily look like a choir from the 1980s or 90s even.  Find what works for your congregation, especially and most importantly when dealing with younger people. Find out what they like to sing, and how they like to sing it, and allow the creativity to flow. The choir is about bringing people and their voices together. It's not about being stuck in any particular era.

(Deitrick Haddon and the League of Xtraordinary Worshippers, photo courtesy of the web)

9. Choirs attract servants
Now, I'm going to say this, and some will not like it.  Some of the best servants in the church can be found in the choir.  Between weekly rehearsals, Sunday mornings (in some cases multiple Sunday morning services), week night services, traveling with the Pastor (in town and out of town), and other tasks as assigned that sometimes have nothing to do with singing, choir members exemplify their servitude through the choir ministry.  People who have the gift to sing but are too grand to sing in the choir show their lack of a servant's heart.  As a choir director and leader, I'll take a faithful "ok" singer over someone who is super gifted but has to be begged to serve. Hats off to faithful choir members who make serving look easy and get the job done with excellence every week!

10. Choirs are fun!
Every choir has its own personality, and in the down time before and after rehearsals or during a trip to sing, you find out who the choir clowns really are. I have had some of the most hilarious moments with the choirs that I am blessed to serve. They keep me laughing, but the fun is not just relegated to those times. True choir singers enjoy what they do.  There is an inward pleasure that comes from joining together and giving voice and expression to your love for Christ through song that cannot be explained....

The choir is not a lost art form. As long as there is church and music, the choir has a place!

6. Conflict

It's inevitable.

You will not agree with every person that you work with in ministry. This can occur because you think totally different from the person you're bumping heads with, or because of a misunderstanding, or due to different goals or mindsets...or you may not even be sure why you don't see eye to eye.

So what do you do when you're involved in a disagreement among ministry workers?

1. Don't assume the problem is them.  Always begin with self-examination first. What did I do to contribute to the problem? What could I have done differently? Don't discount the notion that you and your ideas aren't perfect either.
2. Lower your ego.  Make sure that your feelings are not fueled by a need to be right, seen, or in charge.  All of these things have no place in ministry.
3. Don't lower your standards.  You aren't responsible for what they do, but you are ultimately responsible for how you react.  Even if you have to be silent.  Trust me, IT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE, but it is possible! Let the holy ghost lead and you take a back seat.
4. Remember, you don't have to agree.  As a matter of fact, truth be told, you don't even have to be friends.  If an immediate resolution isn't possible, work toward your common goals and move forward in mutual respect until things are resolved.
5. Compromise, but know your limits.  Be willing and open to give in a little, but if you feel strongly about something, especially as it relates to pleasing God, bettering the people you serve, or accomplishing the goals you've set, stand firm.  Know what you are and are not willing to compromise in order to try and bridge the gap between you and the other party.
6. Keep the main thing the MAIN THING.  The ministry, the people, and ultimately God are what's most important.  Don't be guilty of majoring in minors and minoring in majors.  God stands behind you when your true aim and heart's intent is the main thing.  What's the main thing?  To bless God's people and give God the glory.

You'll never agree on everything. Find your common areas of agreement, and work diligently from there.