Maestros of Ministry: Their Legacy in the Department of Music and Worship

LYLE ANDERSON |  11 carries an inherent temptation of pride, Anderson seeks to convey to students that “God is always more interested in the heart than the art.” Anderson’s ministry of stewardship as Director of Choirs includes repertoire selection, touring, and conducting. In choosing repertoire, Anderson pays close attention to the text, seeking lyrics that embrace “the whole counsel of God.” This is part of his commitment to the Univer- sity Mission to emphasize an education in submission to biblical authority. His goal is to sing a full gospel message in public concerts and to choose lyrics that benefit all students in deepening their relationship with the Lord. He also understands music’s power in committing the truth to memory. “We literally sing what we believe, and we are able to commit that truth to memory, whether it is a paraphrase or quotation of scripture. And we have it for life because it is attached to a musical context…For this music to have a long shelf life, we need to do it well and to select a plethora of Old Testament- [and] New Testament-driven passages, and not to simply sound good as a choir.” “One of the most beautiful products of a tour ministry is getting to know other brothers and sisters in Christ across the country and across the world.” Besides spread- ing the Word through music in concerts, Anderson sees the value of tours as beneficial on many fronts. The interpersonal relations that are nurtured through long travel and hospitality together and the priceless value of sharing worship and music traditions with people from other cultures throughout the world cannot be replicated in any classroom or rehearsal setting on campus. Tours also allow the musical message of the gospel to pervade parts of the world that might other- wise resist an overt Christian message. One such concert occurred at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing, China, right next door to the Communist Party head- quarters. Cedarville’s Concert Chorale sang all their regular repertoire with no censorship. “We were able to sing the gospel without any fear of repercussions.” His goal is to sing a full gospel message in public concerts and to choose lyrics that benefit all students in deepening their relationship with the Lord.