If you study Scripture carefully, it is beyond doubt that the worship leading choir was established by God Himself. It was God's idea, giving an assumption of permanence. The familiar passages addressing worship leading choirs are found in 2 Chronicles 5 and 2 Chronicles 20. Also mention is made in Ezra 2:65 and in Ecclesiastes 2. Now some are quick to say, there is no mention in the New Testament. First, it was already established and for obvious reasons would have been quieted for a time in the early church because of circumstances. Second, the last book of the Bible certainly mentions the choirs of heaven. It is evident that God valued and intended the choir to be used in more than the settings that are obvious. Nowhere is the choir shown to be taken out of existence.
In Scripture we see that the choir is used by God in a pre-planned and purposed way to usher in His presence and go before the armies in battle. What glorious principles for us today. Some have tried to say that the choir is dead in churches. But, why? Has it been because of an over reaction to a few years where too much emphasis was put on "performance choirs" in the church, as opposed to worship-leading choirs? Or in some instances, is it because of personal taste? Or has it just been more convenient for some? We need to remember it was God-planned and purposed.
If you think it is dead, take a look at the way God uses our worship-leading choir in worship. And, if you think it is dead, come to our church this Friday night and experience 140 college students singing and playing, ushering in the presence of God in worship. Those young people will be graduating from that university and going out into churches across the land and starting . . . Biblical Worship-Leading Choirs. mjm
