Leading the Choir? Conclusion

Thanks to my less-than-inspired leadership our choir members were arguing, the congregation was mumbling and I was bewildered. “What’s wrong with our choir?” I wondered. Actually, the problem was not with the choir but with me. I was about to receive a lesson on spiritual leadership courtesy of God and our real choir director. At this point she stood up and said, “Larry, can I make a suggestion?”

“Please!” I responded with obvious relief.

“Will you say a prayer and ask God to guide and lead you and our choir?” she asked. Wow! With one simple request, our choir director taught the most critical lesson of spiritual leadership.

To be an effective leader you should first ask for God’s guidance.

What could I say? “I will be glad too.” As I prayed for God’s direction, I began to feel a sense of assurance God was in control of the choir, of our church and of me. All along, I thought quality spiritual leadership depended more upon me; my talents, my take-charge attitude and creativity. Instead, God was seeking my submission to His talents, His attitude, creativity and perfect will. “Amen,” I said and for a moment there was silence. Then God’s Spirit began to move within our choir:

“I would love to sing a solo if you need me but whatever you decide is fine.”

“I’ve been doing an awful lot of solos lately. Maybe it is time for a change.”

“Dan, I was kidding about playing the organ but could I play the piano with you sometime?”

“Excuse me. What are we singing again? In all the confusion I’ve forgotten.”

To be an effective choir, surrender your talents and leadership to God.
Everyone was laughing by now but we learned several valuable lessons.

 

I said to our choir director: “It was presumptuous of me to think that I can replace you. I’ll stick to preaching and let you lead the choir. Thank you for teaching a valuable lesson. Will you forgive me?”

She smiled and replied, “Of course I will. Being creative and searching for our gifts and submission to God is what the choir and our church is all about. Now if you don’t mind — we have an anthem to sing.”

Finally: To be an effective choir, you must allow God’s chosen leaders to actually lead.

Could these same lessons apply towards other forms of leadership? Of course they can. Paul wrote in Romans: “I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” (12:1-2) Did you catch Paul’s point?
 

Give yourself to God as a living and holy sacrifice.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs others but let God transform you.

Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how pleasing His will is.

“Choir, may I join you?” There was a long pause. “Just to sing… to sing!”

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—–Original Message—–
From: Jacqui
Dear Rev. Davies, A few weeks ago I searched for a website of prayer and faith. I happened to see yours and decided to see what it was all about. I desperately needed prayer and my faith in God restored. I decided to put in a prayer request for financial freedom and faith in God. I expected to receive an informal computer generated note. What I received instead was awesome.

Within a few days I received prayer mail from around the world. I made new Christian friends. My faith in mankind was restored. I could hope again. The prayers were so personal. Every single person who responded actually took the time to read what I needed and prayed. Not only that, but they contacted me and personally ministered to me: No judgments, reprimands, insults and disgust. I received total understanding, Christian love and devotion to my prayer needs. That is awesome. I received advice, encouraging email, UNDERSTANDING for my situation and love, love, love.

Rev. Davies, thank your team from the depth of my soul. In this short time God is already blessing us? I testify today that we serve a miracle working GOD. Please continue to pray for us. We need to grow so much. Please ask God to bless us, to strengthen us, to keep us faithful, patient, obedient, quiet and loyal. Please pray for all of us. Thank you for restoring our faith. With love and gratitude: Jacqui, Peter, Matthew and Jenna.

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To read “Leading the Choir” part one click here: https://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ChoirandMinister.htm