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By Rev’d Fr. Nii Lante Kumi Bruce – National Chaplain of the Association of Anglican Church Choirs & Guest Speaker
The theme for the 16th Biennial Conference :”Unity in Harmony; Building a Cohesive Church in the 21″ Century” is very appropriate in building and maintaining a strong foundation for our choirs in this era we find ourselves. Firstly, the body of Christ functions best when unified. As we Define Unity: * Unity is more than just being in a group; it’s about having a shared purpose and working towards it collectively. * It involves respecting and embracing differences while focusing on shared goals. * It’s about recognizing that we are all interconnected and that our individual actions can impact the collective. Ephesians 4:1-3 states; I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians further admonishes us to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3).
Unity among choir members,congregation and clergy is crucial for both musical and spiritual success, fostering a sense of connectedness, shared purpose, and effective teamwork. Building this unity involves cultivating a spirit of mutual respect, active listening, and selfless participation within the group. Five Things to share under the Power of Unity.
* Strength: When people unite, their combined efforts create a force that is much greater than the sum of their individual strengths.
* Overcoming Challenges: Unity enables communities and nations to face adversity, solve problems, and achieve progress together.
* Success and Prosperity: Unity is a foundation for success in all areas of life, from personal relationships to global endeavors.
* Peace and Harmony: When people unite, they are more likely to experience peace and understanding, reducing conflict among Chorister’s, Choirmaster’s and clergy and promoting positive interactions.
* Sense of Belonging: Unity fosters a feeling of connection and shared identity, making individuals feel valued and supported. There issues which must be resolved in the choir Causes of Choir Disunity Individual Differences: Not all members will get along, and differences in opinion or behavior can create tension. Toxic Personalities: Self-centered individuals who are manipulative, demand attention, or believe they are always right can disrupt rehearsals and spoil the experience for others. Lack of Communication: A lack of open communication can lead to misunderstandings, rumors, and a feeling of exclusion among members. Lack of Direction: A lack of clear goals or expectations for the choir can lead to confusion and a sense of purposelessness. Sinful Behaviors: In a church choir setting, issues such as gossip, pride, and jealousy can severely damage unity. Neglecting Community Building: Failure to create social spaces and activities outside of rehearsals can leave members feeling disconnected. How do we achieve Unity: * Respect and Understanding: Respecting differences and seeking to understand each other’s perspectives are crucial for building unity.
* Open Dialogue: Encouraging open communication and dialogue can help bridge divides and foster a sense of shared understanding.
* Focusing on Commonalities: Identifying shared goals and values can help people overcome differences and work together.
* Embracing Diversity: Recognizing that diversity can be a source of strength and enrichment when embraced can contribute to unity. Unity, a word that resonates with power, harmony, and cooperation. It’s the invisible thread that binds us together, transcending boundaries of race, religion, and culture. When we stand united, we become an unstoppable force, capable of overcoming any obstacle. One of our greatest needs today is to allow the entire body of Christ to gather in worship. In 1 Corinthians 12-14 Paul reminds us to consider the whole body of Christ, not just the parts. It’s not just a few members of the family who gather for worship; it’s the extended family that is invited to the table for spiritual food and nurture. Gathering a diverse body around the table is our challenge as contemporary worship leaders. It is also our biblical mandate. It is our call to find unity within diverse gifts, needs,preferences and to bring win the younger generation. If we can sing together . . . we can worship together! It is often said that the “music is the War Department of the church,” and based on my short experience with ongoing controversy over church music, I believe it to be so. But why couldn’t music be the Peace Department of the church? Instead of driving people apart, why couldn’t music bring people together in unity? Ageing choristers Our Choirister’s are getting older. Our voices are cracking up. We can’t pitch as we use to. Our fingers are shaking. Our knees are getting weaker. What we use to do in the 50’s, 60’s can’t be done anymore.
Some liturgical rites are being revised, song writing styles and lyrical content have changed so why are we driving the younger generation with all we use to do in the old days. How do your children and grandchildren see the attractiveness of the choir you do minister. If your children and grandkids don’t see your choir attractive then how will the young generation in the church see it attractive to join. My Question for you this 16th Biennial Conference is, What is the succession plan. What are the structures and strategies put in place to make our choirs attractive to the young generation. Create a welcoming environment for all. Assign mentors to new members for guidance and support. Provide musical growth opportunities that appeal to a broad range of members. Offer workshops on vocal techniques, music theory, or sight-reading. There are few things I would like us to take note. Building a Foundation of Trust Vulnerability and Humility: requires members to trust one another, surrendering their own egos for the good of the whole. This means admitting that everyone is on a journey of improvement and that no one person is the sole expert. Authentic Relationships: Building trust involves open communication, honesty, and a genuine care for one another’s well-being. When members feel seen, heard, and respected, they are more likely to work collaboratively. Overcoming Division Focus on the Positive: Instead of dwelling on perceived slights or shortcomings, choose to focus on the good qualities in your fellow choir members. Embrace Differences: Unity is not about uniformity but about blending diverse voices into a harmonious tapestry. Acknowledge that everyone contributes differently, but each voice is important. Prioritize
Attendance and Commitment: A successful choir requires consistent effort from its members. Lack of attendance by many can undermine the efforts of others and lead to disunity. Musical Excellence: A unified choir produces harmony that is pleasing and powerful, far greater than the sum of its individual parts. Spiritual Impact: When a choir sings with unity and purpose, the spirit of the Lord can be invited into the meeting, blessing both the performers and the listeners. Finally, let us embrace unity as a cornerstone of our lives. By working together, we can build a better future for ourselves, the choir, clergy and choirmaster and organist relationships and generations to come.
