THE WORSHIP LEADING CHOIR IN A TRADITIONAL CHURCH

Merry Christmas to you!

Since the inception of the more recent thinking about the “worship leading choir” (approximately the year 2000, or a little before) much attention has been paid to the choir in the modern evangelical church—i.e., Baptists, Charismatics, etc. However, I am here to report that not only is the choir in most Mainline denominations alive and well, I have had (and currently am having, for the next week) an opportunity to personally test the theory that the idea of the choir as worship leader works in more traditional settings, as well.

Between October 28th and December 23rd this year, I have had the opportunity to be interim “Traditional Service Worship Director” for Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. While not the most conservative church I have encountered, there are plenty of liturgical elements which are important, regular parts of the service. And the Bel Air Choir has a rich history, having been led by such notable musicians as Fred Bock, under whose direction I actually sat, in this very choir, for about a year way back in the 70s.

In the two months I’ve been here, we’ve done some wonderful music, including Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” Stainer’s “God So Loved The World,” Vivaldi’s “Gloria” among others. But part of the reason I took the assignment was to test the aforementioned theory.

Guess what? Once the singers grab hold of the idea that the choir exists to actually lead the people’s hearts in worship, things can change, both in the choir, and in the congregation’s response to the choir. Just last night as I write this, we presented Bel Air’s annual Christmas Concert, and the stones are still ringing with the exultant sounds, but they will NOT cry out, for all in attendance (packed with young and old alike) had a heart-to-heart Christmas encounter with the living God.

I have loved being here. And I am more convinced than ever of the universality of the choir’s role as a worship leader.

In a week it’s back to Nashville, and some rock and roll worship choir opportunities. Please stay tuned, and again, Merry Christmas.

VoxNotRox! (Luke 19:40)

Dave Williamson