The Power and Responsibility of the Church Musician

Last Sunday morning, singing in the choir of my own Nashville church, I was reminded once again of the power, privilege, and responsibility church musicians possess. We read the gospel lesson for the day, Luke 14:25-33, where Jesus talks about the cost of being one of his disciples. Tough words from Jesus — I can love my family, OR I can follow him ... I can try to make a good life for myself and my family, OR I can follow him ... I can enjoy my house in a nice part of Nashville, read my books, play my piano, and listen to my CDs, OR I can follow Jesus. Jesus' words provide for an either/or choice, not a both/and.

It's one of those difficult teachings of Jesus' that most of us read, acknowledge, but then ignore, rationalize, or accommodate to our own time. We certainly don't follow it literally. And there's the dilemma that lasts a lifetime, coming back for another confrontation when that passage comes up again in the lectionary.

The prayers and liturgy of the service last Sunday were well-crafted. The opening prayer of confession that would eventually lead us to Holy Communion enabled me to confess "that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church ... Forgive us, we pray ... Free us for joyful obedience ..." The pastor's sermon was helpful, and it was strangely comforting to hear that his struggle with this passage was similar to my own. But it was the hymns that were really helpful. The opening hymn, "Lift High the Cross" (159), called once again to "follow the triumphant sign," to be a follower of Jesus. "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone" (424) with its pointed opening question helped me focus on and personalize the dilemma, but reminded me that the challenge of true discipleship eventually leads to freedom. "Be Thou My Vision" (451) provided very practical words of prayer to strengthen my resolve to be a follower. "Are Ye Able" (530) reminded me that our sins and failures, along with those of the crucified thief, have been pardoned through God's grace. The closing hymn, "Take Up Thy Cross" (415), summarized it all in four stanzas: if you seek to follow Jesus, take up your cross, deny yourself, forsake the world, and follow; God will give strength for the journey; lifelong discipleship bears an eternal reward.

The selection of these hymns and the order in which we sang them helped to bring Jesus' teaching on discipleship into focus. They offered insights, alternative ways of thinking about the dilemma, and ways to help me be a better disciple. But probably most useful of all, the act of singing actually put words into my mouth — words of confession, words of resolve, words of thanksgiving and praise. I did not have to merely hear those words spoken by someone else to me or to God for me, such as the preacher, the worship leader, or the choir. The act of singing provided me with the means of entering into my own communication with and experience of God. It allowed me to respond to Jesus' teaching in my own way.

We church musicians, as the worship leaders responsible for selecting and leading the congregation's song, exercise this power, privilege, and responsibility weekly. It is powerful because, in selecting the songs, we also determine to a large extent the content of conversation between the people and God. For some of our people that conversation during hymn singing may be the only conversation with God they have for the entire week. It is powerful because words joined to melody have far greater impact and are remembered far longer than words merely spoken or heard. It is a privilege because it is a task that only we are allowed to perform. The church trustees don't get to pick the music, nor the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, not the chair of the Administrative Council, not the Lay Leader, Education Director, or the Sunday school teachers, and not the Finance Committee. It is a responsibility because the church relies on us to do this task well and with great care. It is a responsibility because the people depend upon us to select the right songs for them to sing and to lead them in the best possible manner. It is a responsibility because we must be held accountable for how well — or badly — we do this.

May God strengthen and enlighten us as we exercise this power, privilege, and responsibility.