The Choir in Worship
Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:
“He is good; his love endures forever.”
Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God. (2 Chronicles 5:13–14)
Singing is a personal and individual exercise, but there is also a public aspect of singing in which the singer makes a connection to an audience. The ability of a singer to communicate emotion, beauty and truth in music is both a mysterious and everyday occurrence. For the Christian, there is an added layer of musical expression as the believer sings in praise and exaltation of our Creator and Savior. Many of us have witnessed and participated in these kinds of experiences.
But in a Christian worship service, this sensation is multiplied on both the listener and the singer when the voices are united in a choir. Why is that? Is it because we are united in our spirits as part of the Body of Christ? I believe that is precisely the reason and contend that church choirs, in addition to their musical role in worship, can model universal principles of Christian discipleship. Indeed, much of our worship experience is a model of our salvation experience. We are saved, one person at a time through the mercy and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and yet as soon as we are saved we are united with Christ and subsequently united with all believers in Him.
In worship, we come together one person at a time, each with the privilege and obligation of bringing our praises and worship to our Holy God. Yet as soon as Christians gather for corporate worship we begin to demonstrate our unity. We are unified in our song, unified in our corporate confession of sin, unified in the message we receive from the Word of God and unified in the response we bring around the Lord’s table. Unity in Christ is a major message of the Christian faith. In the book of Ephesians the Apostle Paul states:
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:5–6).
Thus when singers, of various degrees of talents and abilities, unite their voices in a choir, the result is something greater than the sum of its individual parts. The choir is a visual picture of the body of Christ in action. Each person with a different gifting and calling, but each with a measure of blessing from the Lord as they participate. Singing in a choir is a practical expression of the subordination of the self to magnify the whole. There are unified entrances and releases in a choir. Pronunciation is coordinated and tempos are established and maintained by the determination of an outside force (the conductor.) These musical goals require a submission of the individual preferences and a humble spirit. Servant style obedience can be learned at every stage of rehearsal and service in a church choir. Hopefully there is also the blessing that comes from serving the Lord where He has called and equipped you to serve Him.
Models for Worship
So far we have discussed the influences of choral singing on the choir members. What about the church congregation as a whole? I believe that modeling of a choir in worship extends its influence to the whole church. In brief, I would assert that the church choir can lead in the modeling to entire church through its participation, presentation and preparation. These may seem like three ways of saying the same thing, but I think there are distinct lessons that can be learned in each.
First, the choir in worship models by their participation. The choir is filled with worship leaders and as they participate in all aspects of the worship service they exemplify to the congregation how we engage in worship. It is not limited to music. Worship extends to prayer and preaching, witness and testimonies. How the choir responds and interacts with these worship expressions “preaches” as loud as their singing.
Secondly, the choir models in their presentation. There are negative connotations with the term “performance” when connected with a worship service. This is understandable as the focus and purpose of the worship service is to bring honor and glory to God and God alone. Soli Deo Gloria was the cry of the reformers. But that is not to say that choirs, and in a broader sense all musicians, cannot add beauty and meaning to a worship service by the songs they present without the vocal participation of the congregation. Once again I return to the concept of modeling. Just as a pastoral prayer is offered both by the pastor and on behalf of the congregation, why can’t we view musical prayers the same way? Choral Anthems, solos and instrumental music enrich the expressions of our worship. Surely seeking to offer God our highest level of attainment should not be seen as a vice or as an attempt at man-centered vainglory. Our best offerings will still pale in comparison to the richness God deserves, but that should not keep us from the glorious goal. The simplicity of a child singing “Jesus Loves Me” and the beauty of the choir singing Brahms’ “How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place,” are both fitting for worship. Most evangelical churches will fall somewhere in between these two extremes, but the principles of truth, goodness and beauty can be fully applied in a worship service. After all, these attributes ultimately ascribe greatness to the Lord.
The last principle choirs can model to a congregation in worship is preparation. To take seriously the responsibility and implementation of a varied and vibrant choral music program requires preparation. If it is done half-heartedly or without consideration, a choir will inspire no one. Just as none of us should approach worship flippantly, a choir of dedicated worship leaders can model the preparation of our hearts and voices that the God of the universe deserves.
“Sing praises to God, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding” (Psalm 46:6).
