How to Be a Great Choir Member! – by Mike Harland

Most people that sing in church choirs are not great performers and may believe their role in choir is unimportant. They are wrong.

You can be a great choir member even if you are not a great singer. Here are a few ways:

1. Pray for your leader and the ministry.

Seems obvious enough. But, this really is one of the most important ways you can contribute to the choir without singing a note. Because you are involved you are informed and can pray specifically for your leader and the choir as a whole. You can consistently call out to the Lord for direction and wisdom — to fill gaps in the skill set of the organization and for effectiveness as worship leaders. There will be many ways you can pray for the choir and the leader.

2. Be a “First Responder.”

When you see a new face, be one of the first people to introduce yourself and welcome them to choir. As needs arise in other choir member’s lives, reach out in concern. When your leader has a personal need, find ways to support. If there is a special project (building the sets for the production, working the table at the ministry fair, or going on the mission trip) be one of those folks that step up to serve.

3. Be consistent in attendance and be on time.

You may know someone that has the reputation of missing often or being late all the time. Don’t be one of those people. Help your leader by being a person that takes choir commitment seriously. And be on time. Help your leader start well by being in your place and on time – all the time.

4. Help settle the “doubtful issues” down.

Romans 14:1b says, “…but don’t argue about doubtful issues.” In this passage, Paul is addressing two disagreements in the church and called both of them “doubtful issues.” Perhaps the music ministry of churches breeds these types of conflicts more than any other area. You can be a big help by squelching those kinds of controversies in the choir ministry. When folks start to argue about whether or not the choir should wear robes, be someone that encourages unity and good fellowship of the leader. These kinds of issues usually dissipate quickly if someone would just speak up and say something. But, when there is silence, the enemy often moves in to create chaos in the choir.

5. Be a cheerleader, not a Monday morning quarterback.

My grandmother used to say, “Opinions are like noses – everyone has one,and they are all different.” I’ve also heard it said, “Wherever you have two Christians you will have at least three opinions.”

The truth is, a leader has a plethora of options when it comes to selecting, preparing, and presenting music in a ministry. There is no single way it can or should be done. It is very easy to second guess those decisions after the service is over.

You can be a great choir member by spending your energy cheering instead of second guessing. Yes, ask good questions and share ideas. But, do that with the director – not your sister altos… (or basses).

I’m sure there are more things to say here, but no matter what, you may or may not contribute as a singer, but you can be a vital contributor by doing just a few things like these.

I’d take a loft full of these folks over a hand picked group of professional singers every day.

Mike Harland is the Director of LifeWay Worship. When he’s not directing 30+ employees, you’ll find him leading worship at various churches around the country, writing/arranging worship songs and/or, writing his next book. In his spare time, he loves playing basketball and spending time with his family. Mike can be found on Twitter @MikeHarlandLW and on facebook.com/Mike.Harland.37.