Naomi's Notes - 9/10/06
Music Ministry is for YOU! is our "Join a Choir" promotion theme for September. From a church music philosophy perspective, a more appropriate theme would be "Music Ministry is for God!" but this month our emphasis is on the value of participation.
Carla Cook's testimony last Sunday was an excellent starting place. Born into a musical family, her participation in church music ministries has been important throughout her life.
As she pointed out, there's something about music that touches the soul. The scriptures tell us to "make music to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19). Church music not only helps us praise the Lord during worship; the tunes and lyrics also aid in our retention of scripture and spiritual values. Music helps us internalize God's truths - which is why good theological content is so important in the music we use at church.
Participating in a church choir (or instrumental group) is also life-changing. No kidding! In every church I've served, a large portion of the church's adult leadership can be found sitting in the choir loft every Sunday. Immanuel is no exception - just take a look at how many team leaders, deacons, teachers, missions workers, etc. are also dedicated choir members or handbell ringers.
Our children and youth develop music/worship leadership skills and knowledge of faith through our graded choir programs. As they become adults, those skills translate into faithful leadership in other ministries of the church as well.
A church can also find a good model for working relationships--a model of both leadership and "followship"--within a well-functioning choir. Sopranos, altos, tenors, basses (and their instrumental counterparts) all build harmony by being faithful, developing their skills while valuing others' voices, humbly subjecting individual egos for a greater cause, and following the conductor closely. That's how a harmonious church works when everyone keeps their eyes on Jesus, The Great Conductor.
Our Music Ministries offer so much to and through our church. Won't you consider participating in a choir?
See you in worship this Sunday -
Naomi