Homecoming :
Stories of Living in God's Way
The Spiritual Practice of the Song Leader– Rob Passow
Shall I come to the garden alone? Not if the apostle Paul has anything to say about it! He tells the Romans they have many different functions, but are one in “Christ’s body of chosen people.” ¹ Paul informs the Corinthians they have many gifts, but reminds them that those gifts “all originate in God’s Spirit.” ² Paul advises the Colossians, “Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other…None of this going off and doing your own thing.” ³ Paul seems to have strong feelings about community!
My own spiritual practice – my function – seemed preordained. I was enrolled in piano lessons and junior choir before I was born. I grew up in the church choir. Most of the scripture I can remember is that which I can sing. It’s pretty clear that God intended me to share my musical skills in prayer and praise.
Now, I had not planned on becoming a song leader; I was an “Organist/Choir Director.” I was always content behind the keyboard, and loath to leave my “safe place” on the organ bench. But from my perch, I heard Paul exhorting the Colossians to “Sing, sing your hearts out to God,”&sup4; and challenging the Romans to live what God intended: to teach, to encourage, and to be in charge (but not manipulative!) &sup5; Then Jeff and I each spent time with Iona worship last summer, (a coincidence? more likely the Spirit at work!) We were excited to share our experiences with the congregation. Adding all this up, I had a pretty clear directive: get off the bench; teach, encourage, and sing my heart out.
Paul, always ready with a suggestion, adds, “Instruct and direct…using good common sense.” &sup6; Before we learn a song together in worship, I spend time alone in preparation. I learn the words and music and decide the best approach to the song. On Sunday morning, I summon my courage, and with the support of the Spirit, I stand up in front of the group to lead the song. The Spirit and I lead and teach, but most importantly, we encourage the congregation to sing; because to me, song is community. In worship, we hear readings, prayers, preaching, teaching, story telling, meditation and announcements; much of the time our own voices are silent. We listen to one voice sharing God’s Spirit, which is wonderful, for we have so much to learn from one another. But when we sing in worship, we are the prayers, preaching, teaching, story telling and meditation. (We don’t sing the announcements – yet.) We raise our voices to God, unified by the Spirit, and one body – and voice – in Christ. We feel the joy of the Spirit in our song and we share that joy together.
When I lead our singing in worship, I feel a strong spiritual connection to our community. Singing with the congregation, I experience the oneness that Paul advocates. Our communal song confirms that my “meaning and function as part of [Christ’s] body &sup7;” is to share my spiritual gift of music. But I don’t come to the garden alone; I arrive with my posse of Pilgrims!
