Choir Note-Sunday, August 18, 2013
Choir members are uniquely gifted to serve God through the music ministry. Perhaps some more than others, but ALL are gifted to serve.
It only works right when the focus is right, though. If your focus is on you, something’s wrong. If it’s on how well you sing or how well we sound as a group, something’s off. Something needs to be corrected.
I’ve tried to emphasize several times that the music ministry is about pleasing an audience of one – God. We do not sing to be noticed. We do not sing to please the people. We do not sing to sound good. We practice and sing to do our best for God. That’s it.
Now obviously, something like the Kids’ Choir has a lot of enjoyment to it. I have no problem when Mom and Dad want to record their little one singing. In many ways, it IS about them and the experience of singing in front of people (and often, the hilarity that comes with it!) As they mature, though, the focus should change.
My wife is working with a group of young ladies now, and at this first stage in their life of singing, my wife is trying to emphasize to them that this group is not about individuals. It’s not even about the sound. It’s not about looking cool or being “good.” It’s about pleasing God.
If 11-14 year olds can get it while they’re young, it will help shape their whole lives to be God-focused rather than self-focused. In everything! But especially in music. The music ministry attracts pride because it is often individualistic. May we always fight that battle and be singly focused on God.
–Bro. Ryan