Service of Song

Besides a unique way of preaching, African American Baptist churches have been known for their vibrant singing. It is a given that in order for an African American Baptist church to grow it needs a stellar music ministry with multiple choirs and great musicians. I've been a part of churches without large, great sounding choirs, and these churches have experienced very little growth.

Is this singing that occurs in the majority of African American Baptist churches true to biblical commands? In this particular article, I want to focus solely on congregational singing as a commandment. My simple argument is that in NT worship the whole congregation must sing the songs of the Lord---all of the songs. This would exclude choir singing.

Some will counter argue at this time that there were levitical choirs in OT temple worship; this is true. Without going into great detail, the important point to note is that there is no longer a Levitical priesthood to sing. We know from 1 Peter 2:9 that the Church is a "royal priesthood." We also know from Hebrews 13:15 that all of the people of God are to offer the sacrifice of praise. Sacrificing is a priestly duty that all of God's people are to offer through the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. A levitical priesthood has been fulfilled in both the work of Jesus Christ and now the work of the Church in its praise of God. In brief, this is one biblical argument that precludes choir singing in NT worship.

Another argument is that there are two specific commands from Paul to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to each other (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). There is no way to interpret these passages to mean that a choir is to assume this duty because it would mean that the members of the choir would teach and admonish each other and not the rest of the congregation. In addition to this, we have command after command in the Psalms themselves to praise, thank, and bless the Lord (see Psalm 95, Psalm 96, Psalm 103, etc.). These are commands for the people of God, not a choir.

The Reformers sought and succeeded in reforming singing in the Church during the 16th century. Luther gave the service of song back to the congregation, and so did the other Continental Reformers like Calvin. Singing in the Roman Catholic Church had become the privilege of professional singers; yes, choirs. Calvin abolished choir singing in favor of congregational singing in Strasbourg and in Geneva.

Congregational singing was dominant among Anglicans, Puritans, Methodists, and Baptists through the 19th century. Choir singing that began among Evangelicals in the mid and late 19th century was a nuance. Among African Americans during the times of slavery not only did they sing congregationally in their own congregations and mixed congregations, but also in informal prayer meetings. Even today, it is practiced in traditional "devotional services" and prayer meetings.

To reform the practice of choir singing in African American Baptist churches, it must be realized that singing is a commandment for all of the people of God; we are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs together. In worship that is dialogical, God speaks to us in the call to worship, the reading of the Scriptures, and the preaching of the Scriptures. We speak to God in praise and prayer. We are all priests; so let us offer the sacrifice of praise through our Lord Jesus Christ.