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You are here: Home / Church Life / Mondays with Mike — Five Things a Choir Should Know About Leading Worship…

Mondays with Mike — Five Things a Choir Should Know About Leading Worship…

September 23, 2013 9 Comments

9.23.13 Photo

The Choir is on the Front Lines of the Battle

Psalm 68:24a reads, “Your procession has come into view, O Lord, the procession of our God and King into the sanctuary. In front are the singers – after them the musicians.” Whatever is happening in your church when you gather to worship, your choir and musicians will be out front. We know that in all of the epic battles fought by the people of God as they moved into the land of promise, the musicians led the way. When God’s people gather to worship, a real spiritual battle for the hearts and souls of people is underway. Put on your armor because the choir is out front of a battle with eternal consequences.

Nothing Less Than Your Best Will Do

In I Chronicles 25:7 it reads, “They numbered 288 together with their relatives who were all trained and skilled in music for the Lord.” The early Biblical examples of choir members had more than talent. They had talent that had been refined and trained – developed if you will. When we stand to lead worship, it must be prepared the same way we would prepare a fine meal for a distinguished guest. Nothing but our very best will do.

You Have to Have Your Pastor’s Back

Yes, in most cases you are sitting behind your pastor, so you really do have his back. But, for the vitality of the worship ministry to have spiritual impact, it is absolutely essential that the team leading with the pastor – namely the choir – be in spiritual harmony with the pastor. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with every decision. It does mean that you are supportive of your leader and are actively engaged in the church’s overall mission.

It All Starts with You

Ministry impact happens in concentric circles. That means before God does a work through you, He first will do a work in you. So, whatever you are praying will happen in the worship gatherings of your church, that very thing should first happen in the lives of your leaders in the worship ministry. Nothing will happen in your church in worship that isn’t happening in your choir and, even closer to home, in you.

Every Single Person Counts

Once, while I was singing in a choir between two incredible singers and in a choir that was loaded with talent, I found myself thinking, “They don’t need me. No one will even notice if I don’t sing.” At that point, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper to my spirit: “But no one else can give me your worship and your voice. Don’t sing because they need you – sing because you love me – no one else can give me your worship.” I immediately started singing a different way. Choirs full of people giving their worship to God are choirs that will lead the worship of others in a powerful way.

Mike Harland

Director, LifeWay Worship

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Filed Under: Church Life, Mike Harland, Words, Worship Leaders Tagged With: choir, Choir Leadership, musicians, worship, Worship Leadership

Comments

  1. Larry Harrison says

    September 23, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    Mike…this is excellent. I am sending out to my entire choir today! These are things I preach to them every week but always good coming from a different source and said in a fresh way. I appreciate you and your ministry to the church!

    Larry H

    Reply
    • cphillips says

      September 24, 2013 at 12:54 pm

      Thank you. And, thank you for sharing with your choir. Please know we are praying each and every day for your Leadership and the choir you lead.

      Reply
      • Mike Harland says

        September 24, 2013 at 2:30 pm

        Thanks for writing – it is a privilege to serve along side all of you!.

        Reply
    • Mike Harland says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:29 pm

      Thanks so much Larry – I hope this can help your choir know just how vital their ministry is to your church! May the Lord bless your work! – Mike

      Reply
  2. David Whitesell says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    Wow what a wonderful thought. We do agree with you Mike and we do have your back. We appreciate the way you appreciate us and what we try to do each Sunday. Steve is a HUGE part of this as he trys to keep us in the right “framework” and in a “worshipful attitude.” His little 2 minute sermonettes to us privately are actually very deep thoughts that we all must consider or sit down. I especially liked the last quote in number 5. I trully
    believe that God made our voices and He does not make junk therefore He thinks whatever sounds we create from our lips and vocal chords is BEAUTIFUL and HE WANTS (no strike that) HE “RE-CHOIRS” US TO SING FROM OUR HEARTS, WITH GLAD EXPRESSIONS ON OUR FACES, (ie. smiles) showing excitement and an eagerness to worship.

    Reply
  3. Charity says

    February 12, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    This is so encouraging and helpful. Even seasoned choir members need to be reminded sometimes!

    Reply
  4. Anna Lichtenberg says

    October 1, 2017 at 12:56 am

    I am very new to a church where I’ve just been hired to direct the choir and I am so thankful for this very helpful and inspiring guide!

    Reply
    • Mike Harland says

      October 2, 2017 at 1:55 pm

      Thank you! So glad it was helpful to you!

      Reply
  5. Bamidele Samuel says

    November 30, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    This is refreshing and awesome. I love it. Can your ministry give someone like me, a hint on voice training. I love to sing but I don’t know a thing about voice training. Though I sing with normal voice, I still need to step up. Thanks.

    Reply

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