Choirs In Worship

The word 'choir' comes from the Greek word 'choros', which simply means a group of singers.

When God created the world, a chorus of angels sang for Him. God asked Job if he was around to observe the magnificence of creation, "while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy" (Job 38:7).

The Bible shows us that God loves all of humankind to sing to Him - choirs feature in the Bible's own description of divine worship.

The first organised choirs in Scripture can be found during King David's time, as recorded in the Books of Chronicles.

God set apart the tribe of Levi to serve Him.

1 Chronicles tells of how King David appointed no less than four thousand Levites as singers and musicians.

These singers and musicians ministered day and night in the tabernacle and later in the temple - these were some of the first earthly choirs assigned to serve God through song.

Choirs, with both men and women singers (Nehemiah 7:67; 2 Chronicles 35:25), were organised for worship in the temple and were placed under the direction of able musicians (1 Chronicles 25).

The Psalms, such as Psalm 6, show that choral singing was accompanied by instruments.

Fifty-five Psalms also indicate that there were directors of music, who led choirs in temple worship.

In fact Heman, Asaph, and Jeduthun were directors of separate temple choirs.

Taking the cue from choirs in Biblical times, it is clear that the role of the choir in the Church is one of ministry - not performance.

This is the crucial difference between secular choirs and choirs that serve in the Church.

Church choirs should only be singing for His glory!

Choir members are first and foremost praising God with the gift of singing, which He has gracefully bestowed on them.

This involves sacrifices of praise, which must come from willing and committed hearts.

Choir members must have an attitude of service, striving to give their very best to God.

Emphasis was placed on temple singing being directed and accompanied by trained and skilled musicians. This indicates that part of the reason for having a choir was to offer beautiful singing to the Lord.

Choirs can also help congregations appreciate a wide variety of musical styles as well as deepen their faith and love for God.

Choral singing can be a powerful means of moving members of the congregation to truly praise and worship God in spirit and in truth.

If God has blessed you with the gift of singing, give it as a living sacrifice to Him by joining this very special Ministry of Choral Music.

"Each one, as a good manager of God's different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God" (1 Peter 4:10).