"MIKE-ING" THE BEST SINGERS I keep hearing of some who think we can really improve our singing in worship if we use microphones to amplify the voices of the best singers in the congregation. While at first this might sound like a good idea, everyone should be aware that in place after place this practice has led to this group becoming little more than a church chior. Weoften are blind when we start down roads that seem innocent. I have been thinking about just who are the "best singers" in the church. I know how we are using the term, but is it possible that God's view of the "best singers" might be far different from ours? Could the following people be the best singers? Sitting in the assembly is a lonely widow. The years have not been kind to her voice and it often cracks as she sings. She has served the Lord faithfully for many years. For more than 40 years she has taught small children in Bible classes and seen many of them become leaders in the church. Her late husband had been a faithful elder who served even better because of her being a godly helpmeet. She had lifted his burdened spirit so many times. Listen to her sing, "To Christ Be Loyal And Be True." The melody which comes from her heart must make her one of the best singers in the church. In another part of the auditorium a teenager sits. He did not growup in the church and failed music at school. He came from a broken home, but oh how deep his faith is! He has given up former ungodly friends and stands against the peer pressure that surrounds him. You may not like the "sour notes" but the melody from his soul is so encouraging. "O my God, I trust in Thee. Let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me..." Is he one of the best singers? Who else is there? There is a wife of an alcoholic husband who is doing all he can to destroy he faith and that of her children. Listen to her, "Be not dismayed what-e're betide, God will take care of you..." Those who sing off key and are monotone may be our best singers! Maybe we should have another look at what we are doing. The command is to "sing," not carry a tune (Eph. 5.19;Col 3.16; I Cor 14.15; etc.). It is a blessing to be able to do both but we do the best we can. The God we worship in our assemblies is not a God of confusion, but one who wants everything done decently and in order(I Corinthians 14.33,40). I believe that with a little more consideration for this principle, for one another, and for some of our behavior we can improve our "worship manners." For example:
| ||||||||