When we talk about God's calling to lead worship many people assume we are talking about the person who leads worship rather than those who lead worship. Yes, I was called to lead worship at a young age and prepared to do that. However I have always believed, according to Scripture, that the choirs of the churches I have served were also called, and no less than myself, to lead worship. God lays out a divine plan and then calls and equips His people to carry it out. I believe - on the foundation of God's word and with every fiber of my being - that people who sing in the worship choirs of their churches are called out to do so. That is why I have never asked for volunteers. And I have noticed over the years that people who consider themselves volunteers don't last.
Also we see in God's Word that calling always leads to covenant. I love what Dave Williamson has to say about the definition of covenant based on God's call: "A covenant is created by the intentional, unconditional acceptance by man or woman of something spiritually significant which has originated in the heart of God and which He has requested of you, and empowered you to do." When a person accepts and responds to God's call a covenant is created.
The very reason I constantly talk to our worship choir about two big picture issues is because of the above. I constantly stress prayer as it keeps us connected to God's call and our covenant with Him to lead worship. And I constantly remind the worship choir that our primary purpose and role is to prepare musically and in prayer to lead and usher our people into the manifest presence of God in worship. If we aren't prepared musically, we're too concerned with the music. If we haven't prepared through prayer, we are not anticipating and expecting the manifest presence of God. If you are a choir member, remain faithful to your calling. If you are one of the congregation, please be faithful to pray for the worship-leading choir and the worship services every week. mjm
