proud papa

believe it or not, this entry is not about my kids! though, let me say it again: i am proud of my kids and i love them.
but today, i want to tell you about another group that i lead: the LCC worship choir. of them, i am also quite proud.

let me back up and give you some background information.
i don't know the validity of this statistic, but i once heard that the average tenure of a worship/music minister is about 9 months. basically, that gives you either christmas or easter to offend or be offended. so, for the fact that i am nearing 13 years in one ministry makes me a rarity, if not a novelty.
now, the reason i write that is to say that there were many times, in hindsight, that my time here should have been...well...less than 13 years. but, through grace and learning (in both directions), we, as a church, have grown and developed in our understandings and practices of worship.
one of those areas is the worship choir and this is what i've learned about using them in worship:

• like it or not, everyone on the stage is a worship leader. they may be leading toward the throne of God or they may be leading away from Him. but, everyone that is seen is leading someone somewhere. this greatly increases the responsibility of the choir for they are visible.
• music is not inherently worship. it's true that music can be our expression of worship and the truth of the lyrics can teach us in and about worship. excellence in music can create a mood or emotion suitable to the worshipper's sitz im lebben (situation in time). this greatly increases the responsibility of the choir for they must present excellent music.
• the more, the merrier is true when it comes to involving people in service. many servant's spots can only accomodate a certain number of spaces. that may be due to space limitations or expectations of qualifications or credentials or some other like reason. but, the choir is a place that nearly everyone can fit in and be able to fully participate according to their giftedness and preparedness. this greatly increases the responsibility of the choir for they must inclusive and welcoming of everyone.
• all congregational singing is fuller and more robust whenever the singers' noses aren't buried in a book. while hymnals were great tools for many years, modern methods of projection have created a new common element in worship settings. you can worship without hymnals or projection, but corporate worship is enhanced by them. but, when projection is not available in a situation where it is more heavily depended upon, there is no option except to use a book/lyric sheet or to memorize. but, all congregational singing is fuller and more robust whenever the singers' noses aren't buried in a book. therefore, memorization is the preferred option. this greatly increases the responsibility of the choir for they must memorize their notes, rests, rhythms and lyrics, etc.

so, why am i a proud papa?

because the choir did it all! they were outstanding in their presentational leadership. they were outstanding in their preparation towards excellence. they were outstanding in their inclusion of growing numbers. they were outstanding in their memorization. i am blessed to work with these amazing people. rehearsals are always fun, though hard working and yesterday in church, we saw the results: an outstanding performance.

i can see in them the love of the Lord and a true camaraderie and fellowship. they are each to be commended for their work. i can hardly wait until thursday so that we can rehearse again and get ready for our next time to sing!

Lord, You have given us this gift of music. but, today i praise You because You have made music a vehicle of praise and of fellowship. bless our rehearsals and bless each choir member in their lives.