I was preaching in a small Reformed church-plant down state yesterday. The church has only been constituted for one year and yet I was struck by the beautiful singing that came forth from the congregation during the worship service. Even the toddlers were breaking out in four part harmonies (I kid you not). Their secret, I am sorry to have been ignorant of this practice which has been common through the history of the church, is that they practice their parts after church on Sunday. It seems strange at first, as we are so used to coming in just as we are, but the practice I saw yesterday is just the completion of the Puritan catchphrases we so often utilize. "We are the choir." Yes, but we sure don't sound like one. "Make a joyful noise." Yes, often it is just noise.
When I was a reformed Baptist we used to constantly argue against using choirs on the grounds that it violated the Regulative Principle. I now think that bad, unprepared singing does as well. After all, we do agree there is some propriety neccesary in our attitude and appearance on Sunday morning. We are meeting with the king are we not? And yet we roll in and sing with mousy, horrible voices, hymns that we are vaguely familiar with. Our king deserves better, and frankly, we, his great body deserve better.
So here is what could be done. At the close of the service the congregation hangs around an extra 10-15 minutes and works on one new hymn a week. The congregation is divided into Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, and Bass, and briefly works on their parts. After a year the church has 50+ hymns down and they are sung well. Now you are the choir. At least a choir that is seeking to be fit for presentation to a king.
One more thought for the naysayer who says "that's way too much work." Too much? Hopefully you are in a church that you intend to spend some serious time in...perhaps the rest of your earthly life? It is the community of God and the family of God. How about learning to sing in a manner that reflects the renewed heaven and earth that we headed for. We are, after all, already in the choir of the New Jerusalem.
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