The Ohio Independent Baptist, November 1971

·ot too long ago, I spoke with a respected knO\\ ledgeable Christian gentleman \\ ho had years of experience in man}' churches around our country. He noted that there are four essentials to a growing church and where you find uch a church you usually find these essentials. First and foremost is an enthusiastic, sound Bible teacher. Secondl}' an emphasis on Evangelism both from the pulpit and pew followed b)~ a consistent visitation program and last but not least, a top notch music program. These four go hand and glove and as you reflect back on the growing churches that you've attend– ed, you'll probably remember seeing all four of these qualities. Never should we belittle the ministry of music in the church. It has a definite purpose in the preparation of hearts to hear the Word of God and if it's not important... Why do we devote al– most half of our services to it? How– e" er it is i1,1portant and is a ministry of ..Helps" which the Bible speaks of. T O\l. let's consider just what the musical program of a church should Jo and be. If music has its rightful place in )'our church, it will be ... An Arm For Education In the day and age in which we live. our ) oung people are being edu– cated to bel1eve that the end justifies the mean and that anything goes in church mu ic a long as it brings them 4 NOVEMBER, 1971 Br<Jt/1er Don Kr1,eger is Minister of MuJic at Err1111anuel Baptist Clzurc 11 . Toledo, Ol1io . He is a dedicated Christian. The Lord has enc/owed hini }Viti, tre111endot1s 111L1sical talent . His work at the piano, tl1 e organ, directing c·J1oral groi1ps and or rendering vocal solos is always tl1e very best. Through l1is 111inistry, tl1e Lord has blessed the lives of ,nany. This article - "Music In TJ1e Church" - was written h)' one well qualified for tl1e task. There are suggestions c·ontainecl herein benefic·ial t<J an)' and all engaged in a local church program. in. If the music is what the kids like and will draw a crowd to a meeting to hear the Word of God, then it is al– right. This is wrong and is the Neo– Evangelical philosophy carried over into our music and merely produces the kind of Christian that comes from such an environment. Therefore we need to educate our young people early in their Jives that the main ele- 1nent in music is to glorify the Lord and next, to convey the message to the listener·s ears. A graded choir pro– gram is set up to do just that and will include enough choirs so that a child may progress from one to another until he finally becomes a member of the adult choir. The child is taught the seriousness of responsibilities of serving the Lord at a very young age and of giving to the Lord the talents that He has given to us. The young choir member is taught the funda– mentals of music and ear training, sight singing so as they progress to the older choirs, they can do a more effective job. A choir at every level is giving the members constant op– portunity for learning and reviewing and is striving to improve their abil– ities and talents. Training through graded choirs can challenge young and old alike to a more effective service to the Lord. The choir leader should be selec– tive concerning his choir with both boys and girls , as well as adults. I have tried to fallow the following guide Ii nes in selecting choir members. Spiri tuality ... Each choir member <;hould bear the testimony of being indwelt by the Spirit of God thru personal faith in Jesus Christ and be an active member in your church. It is a mock and dishonoring to the Lord and the ministry of your church to have someone singing "God did a wonderful Thing for Me" when in truth they have never had this wond– derful thing happen to them and they have never allowed the Lord to take their sins away. Can you hear the unsaved church attender saying, ~ What's SHE doing up there"? Every one we allow to sit on our platform or stand in our pulpit, in our choir loft and at our piano and organ should represent everything our church stands for and believes. The second guide line for choir membership is: Ability ... Don't collar every Tom, Dick and Harry and drag them into the choir loft whether they can sing or not. There are those who can si ng, and those who wish they could sing better. I have always specified that in order to be eligible to · sing in our Adult choir here at Emmanue], you had to either be a leader ( read music and assist others by your ability and assurance in sing– ing) or be a good follower (could hear your part and follow a stronger si nger). This person usually learns to si ng and sight read better by the help of exposure to the strong in– fluence of a good musician that they can follow. I never use someone who simply . . . "Loves to Sing" . . . but can't hold a tune. They would struggle to get their part and be a hindrance to the entire group. They can be taught but I feel it should be on an individual basi . God's work requires our best and we as leaders should be ure He THE OHIO INDEPENDENT BAPTIST