What Songs Shall We Sing? Part 3 (Love, the Plumb Line)

Shortly after I began directing, I attended my first church music conference. I heard lots of “high church” choral music. I tucked away some good ideas for instrumental additions. I was intimidated by the faculty, and impressed with how knowledgeable they were, and how far above me. One phrase a clinician shared came home with me, and I adopted it for (thankfully) just a few months:

“If the music is over your head, raise your head.”

I’m ashamed I could ever have followed this advice. Can you imagine Jesus instructing His followers so?
Peter and John come to Jesus. John says, “Lord, we worked up a wonderful classical piece; it glorifies the Father better than anything we’ve ever attempted. But the people don’t seem to like it.”
Peter adds, “They’re grumbling and complaining like our ancestors
did when they were given manna and wanted to go back to ordinary food. We were just trying to impress them (I mean You). They say they don’t understand Latin. Should we give them ordinary songs instead?”
Jesus looks irritated. He says, “Here’s what you say when they don’t like songs that are above their usual fare. Tell them if the music’s over their heads, they’d better raise their heads.”

NO, no, no!

Here’s what Jesus really says:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…” (Philippians 2:3-7)

Disclaimer:
I’m not suggesting classical music is snooty by definition. Songs aren't; people can be.
I’m not saying ordinary folk are unable or unwilling to appreciate classical music.
I’m not counseling you to stay away from classical music.

By all means, use classical pieces. But ask the Lord to reveal your motives. Choose songs
out of love for your listeners. If you minister to a group that absolutely hates a certain
style of music, don’t try to educate them by forcing it down their throats! Ask the Lord how
to minister to them in love. Let Him guide your choices. Offer your people a variety of styles,
but let love be the plumb line you use.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a
resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)i

If the music is over their heads, check your heart.

p.s. Also check out the heart of a church music conference before you spend money on it! That first one I attended was the only one that taught a wrong heart attitude. The others have nourished me and my choirs for eternity.

What Are We Feeding Them?

I sat next to a little boy of about 7 at the rescue mission. He had a pale, pixie-shaped little face framed by masses of curly hair. His hands were thin and needed washing, and he wore a girl’s short-sleeved filthy white shirt. It was cold that evening. His mother and brother sat behind us, laughing together as they mocked individual teens from the home school choir performing for them. One time he turned around to face them, and his mother’s voice spat at him,

“You turn around. You’re worthless!”

The few times I gently spoke to him, he startled as though afraid of being hit.
As I’ve prayed for him and his family, I’ve been pondering what makes people stay in abusive situations. He has no choice, of course, as young as he is, but I wonder if there is more abuse there; perhaps a father or the mother’s husband or a boyfriend.

A day or so later in my morning devotions, I came across Proverbs 27:7--
“He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.”

I think that’s the key. To a little boy craving attention, or a young woman desperately wanting to be loved, even what is hurtful will be better than nothing.

Which brings me to my point. An important part of our job as a choir is to feed Jesus’s sheep, as Peter was told to do. All around us are people running on empty in some way. Some of us minister in areas full of young boys needing a little soap and water and a lot of love and acceptance. Others minister to people who appear to need nothing, but inside might be crying out for love and acceptance, for someone to care whether they warm a spot in a pew or not. People who would like to know they have worth, they are needed.

What are we feeding the flock? Look at the lyrics of the pieces you’re learning. Yes, they should praise, worship, and glorify our wonderful God. But let’s also mix in the songs that will minister to the needs of our congregations. Tell them He loves them. Sing His Word to them. Tell them He rejoices over them with singing! (Zeph. 3:17)

Let’s make it our goal to fill our people so full they won’t even want honey.

Do you have suggestions for great choir pieces that minister to the congregation? Let us know!

Ten Thousand Charms

The choir is preparing Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy arranged by Kathryn S. Bonner (Lorenz Corp.). Some of the words are: "I will arise and go to Jesus; He will embrace me with His arms; In the arms of my dear Savior, O there are ten thousand charms."

I suggested that we think about those charms this week, and share some at our next rehearsal.

What attracts me most to Jesus is how He loves and cares for me. He has never once ignored me, snubbed me, turned away, or been too busy for me. He's never had a selfish motive. Who could be a more patient, faithful listener? He understands me.

And STILL LOVES ME!

His power is without limit, yet His heart has room for me.