Who is "The Choir?"

It is interesting that a large, diverse group of people can assume 1 name and 1 identity, "The Choir".  I sometimes sit and ask myself, "Who is `The Choir' and what makes us the same and what makes us different?"  Every group is unique in itself.  Yet they all take on certain qualities.  The following describes what I'm talking about from my time in a Baptist Church in Southern California.  I've seen it in places around the country.

In 1989, my CHOIR was a smaller, yet enthusiastic group.  They were learners, people who worked to try to figure out the style of a new director.  He was young, ambitious, probably a little green around the edges.  Some of the names and faces of the '89 CHOIR changed over the years, many remained.  Most would say they had no formal training in music, but just loved to sing.  Others held undergraduate degrees in music, or may have sung in a college chorale.  Several played instruments; violin, piano, trombone, spoons.  Several had performed for audiences of thousands at places like the Hollywood Bowl.  Oddly enough, I don't believe it is musicianship that made the CHOIR what it was. 

Personality, wealth of experiences, the PEOPLE themselves is what made up the CHOIR.  Some were students, some were stay-at-home moms, some were retired, others wished to retire to the golf courses of America.  The CHOIR had people with 6 kids and people who wanted kids, even people who, at times, wanted to give their kids to someone else.  There were eternally happy people who never had a bad day, There were hurting people who needed the support and encouragment of others. 

From the little rehearsals with 19 singers in '89 to the "bring in more chairs" rehearsals of 50+ in '95, the thing that made CHOIR rewarding was the people.  Each individual brought their unique wealth of gifts and experiences, offered them to the group, allowed the director to mold and shape them, and became "The Choir".  THE CHOIR - a glorious messenger of God's truth in song. THE CHOIR - a crying, hurting soul begging for God's mercy.  THE CHOIR - the lifter of majestic praise to God's throne.  THE CHOIR - a personality of fun, laughter, smiling and joy.  THE CHOIR - a small, quiet voice for God's convicting spirit.  THE CHOIR - carrier of the burdens of God's people.  THE CHOIR - using music to prepare hearts, through God's Spirit, to hear Him.  THE CHOIR - a living picture of the Body of Christ.  THE CHOIR - regular, everyday people, using the gifts God has given, growing closer to eachother and to God in the process, ministering to His people for His glory. THE CHOIR!

I can't think of anything more relevant to the Church.  Let's face it.  In a time where choirs are being replaced with praise teams or individual worship leaders alone, someone has to recognize and point out what THE CHOIR offers a church, regardless of the style of music.  I don't think the problem is style but medeocrity.  That's a subject for another post. I'll just say THE CHOIR can be a relevant, excellent worship leader within today's church.