Naomi's Notes - 10/22/06
Why have a choir? A thorough answer would require very lengthy column space. However, Robert Mitchell, in Ministry and Music, states that the primary purpose of the choir is "to prompt and enable each worshiper to worship; each choir member is at the same time prompter and individual worshiper before God."
One function of the choir is to enable congregational singing, but when the choir sings an anthem (or a soloist sings/plays), it is doing something that the congregation by itself cannot do. The choir (or soloist) then enables corporate worship by offering music to the Lord on behalf of the congregation--a priestly function.
The main idea is that music during worship should never be about "performance." "Presentation" or "musical offering" is a more worthy description. To keep from confusing sacred purposes (worship, offering) with secular purposes (entertainment), we can remember that the ultimate goal in worship is to put the spotlight on God, not on the performer(s).
Dave Williamson, in "Worshiping Leading Choirs," notes a shift in paradigms regarding the primary function of church choirs:
Outward Signs of Earlier Paradigm
- Sings horizontally, to the people
- Practical role: Spiritual Entertainers
- Performs for Jesus
- Celebrates the Gift (music)
- Hopes to hear "You sang great!"
- Engenders emotion for the moment
Outward Signs of Emerging Paradigm
- Sings vertically to the Lord
- Practical role: Lead Worshipers
- Worships Jesus
- Celebrates the Giver (God)
- Hopes to hear "God IS great!"
- Engenders significance for eternity
Parts of the earlier paradigm have some merit, but the second one is definitely more biblical. While one could argue that there is a horizontal aspect to our worship (ex.: personal testimony about what God is doing), our primary focus during worship should be vertical--from God to people, and from people to God. So the question remains, "What will my focus be during musical worship?"
See you in worship this Sunday -
Naomi