Three levels of community building through music...

One of the great joys in my life is creating music that builds community. It has become one of the essentials in my ministry.  Not only am I nourished and encouraged by bringing very different people together - including unskilled singers alongside professional players - but when it works, those who gather find themselves nourished as well as they learn to embrace one another in new and loving ways.  Last night, at our first Thanksgiving Eve practice, it happened again while we worked on the opening and closing songs:  "Good Lovin'" and "Candles in the Rain."  (We also had a quick dash through ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man" with my young guitar man, Ethan; and as we were working out the form, it became clear that Omar was going to NAIL the vocals!   Oooh, I love me a surprise!) What a treat to see 20 people come together to support one another in making something beautiful happen for another in God's name.

Now I've made these next three observations before, but they warrant another pass because not everybody "gets" the three levels of doing community building through music in a church.  Often the body breaks into two competing camps - the "joyful noise" bunch vs. the "high culture" crowd - with neither side respecting the other's charism.  None of this lets the music work its magic.  So, I've come to insist that there always be three levels to our music making:

+ First there is the pure-in-heart cadre that includes every and any body. Churches need to have a place where those who want to sing and celebrate the love of God they feel inside themselves can come together in a sweet and safe way. And this need not be music built on the lowest common.  I believe that there are times when EVERYONE - young and old, skilled and novice - can be together in song that is truly beautiful. How does the old song put it:  ALL God's critters got a place in the choir?  

That is why a few times every year I put together events - our "ad hoc gospel choir" - where all those who want to work on a few tunes can experience the joy of singing in a group.  It is a gas and I hope that every church creates such encounters for their people. Note that this is not an every week event - this group is special - and doesn't expect everyone to put in a lot of practice.  That's an important distinction both for the sake of the group and for the aesthetics:  people with meager musical talents should never be lied to about their limited abilities nor should they be held to the rehearsal standards of professional players. Neither should pros be allowed to feel superior as the body needs ALL the parts to function in health.  Being creative with musical community building requires a respect for all people at every skill level.  And I know from the testimony of those who have been locked out of musical performances in the past by elitist music directors that this time spent together in song can be a blessing.

+ Second there is the choir that makes music every week. This

group demands greater skills and commitment than the first: you can't just show up here and expect to be a part of the gig.  Rather, you have to learn the music - practice and refine it - and offer to care for one another in a group that celebrates humility.  Not everybody can or wants to make this commitment but without it the whole choir suffers.

In my experience, however, the weekly choir must always be a voluntary organization. There can be, of course, a place for paid section leaders in a voluntary choir but they are limited   This type of choir is more a place where all reasonable talent can be affirmed and nourished - and all too often paid soloists don't advance this cause. The weekly voluntary choir takes patience and prayer - people must be willing to practice and show up for rehearsal and worship - for that's when this second level of music making can create community.  There is a unique gift that happens when people of open hearts choose to share their time and talent together on a regular basis - and I LOVE weekly choir practice.

+ And third there is the select group - a more refined and dedicated level of music making - that is never elitist but always dedicated to a higher level of excellence than the status quo.  Not everybody grasps the difference and some resent that both a pure heart and a high level of talent are required for this group.  But without reserving the right to hand-pick some small performance ensembles, a congregation will almost never get to experience sounds that are sublime.  That is why I have insisted on the right to form unique small groups of complimentary souls who know how to make beautiful music together. These musicians practice regularly, possess a high level of talent AND are committed to the well-being of the whole in each song.

Each of these groups builds community in a church - each ministers to the individuals and the greater body, too - and each brings there own special blessings.