Understanding both our job, and our benefits is very important.
Our job is to bridge the audience from this painful, burdensome, carnal life into the presence of The King of kings. In our King's presence we are relieved, we are washed, our faith is renewed. If we can simply get the audience to engage in praise, they will hear "The Deep calling the deep," and if they'll wade in ANYTHING is possible.
Your job is to do your best ministering to God's people.
The benefits go beyond our first-to-taste position as the leaders into the throne room of God. The benefits extend to choir and music rehearsals.
We do not have a "best singers on the front row" policy. Your seat assignment is very deliberate. You're there for purpose. I ask that you seek the treasures on either side of you. I put you by people from whom I believe you can learn something of; it could be that I believe each of your testimonies will inspire each other. It may be singing techniques I hope you'll learn. It could be job skills, parenting methods, health encouragement. The treasures within each choir and music member is astounding and I believe we are suppose to utilize the closeness of choir practice to mine out these treasures.
I may be the only choir director in the world that WANTS their choir to do lots of talking during practice. Obviously, we can't be disruptive to a section working on a piece. And when I call on your section to sing, you'll need to pause the convos until I'm finished teaching or hearing. I may even need to be sharp in my getting of the needed focus, but I do not mean to staunch talking altogether. Outside of my needing you to sing, I want you to use your mouth and encourage your loft-mates, laugh and cry, confess weaknesses and share burdens. Ask questions about where they came from. Share apps, and coupons, and ideas.
This is not the first time you've had a new seat assignment, and it won't be the last. Why? Because we have much to learn from each other! And we have much compassion to share with each other. We are FELLOW MINISTERS. Treat the person beside you as you imagine pastor behaves toward fellow pulpit ministers. Not every pulpit minister shares the same opinions about clothing brands, or child rearing, or health, or even hygien. And yet, they are respectful of each other. And they ask questions, encourage and inspire each other, beacuse they know each has something to learn from the other. And they know that regardless of differences, the end objective is the same; to see the saved encouraged and equipped, to see the lost get found.
Have the same respect and consideration for your fellow ministers of music.
I'm so blessed and thankful to be a part of the music ministry of Souls Harbor. Here are the seating charts as of 7/19/15. You can also use these charts to see who from "the other choir" may be able to replace you if you'll miss a service in which you're scheduled to sing.
CHOIR ALPHA
CHOIR OMEGA
CHOIRS ALPHA & OMEGA
