The last time I sang in a formal, organized four-part choir I was a senior in high school. That was forty-three years ago! I was a semi-jock in high school – the starting 3 guard on the basketball team – so my singing in the choir was a bit of a surprise to some of my peers. Athletes and artsy folk didn’t mix too much in our school.
But I had grown up learning to sing in our church choir, sort of absorbing how to read music and sing bass next to my older brother, Dad and some of the other men of the church. I liked it. And with a free period in my senior class schedule, joining the high school choir was a good choice for me. I still remember some of the choral anthems we sang, and I appreciated our high school choir teacher. He picked good music and led with enthusiasm.
As a pastor I always found singing was my way of worshipping. I enjoyed preaching, but that was my work. Singing was my chance to participate with the congregation in worship. I would usually stand behind the pulpit and the song leader and add my voice with gusto to the congregational offerings.
It wasn’t always a great contribution. I became a bit of a freelance singer over the years. I was even known to sing a few measures in a sermon if the mood struck and song fit my theme. I had watched a former preacher of ours do this with great effect as a child.
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