OCT 07 / THE CHURCH CHOIR: THE REASON WHY WE SING 2
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Through the ministry of music, the choir gathers the people together for worship, so that together all of us – choir and people – may honor our God. Through song, the choir calls the people to worship and entreats them: "Oh magnify the Lord and let us exalt God's Name together!"

SEPT 07 / THE CHURCH CHOIR: THE REASON WHY WE SING
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If we – choir members, pastor, officers, and congregation – are to grasp the Biblical reason that ought to give impetus to the choirs' service, we must begin at the beginning. Why? Because if we understand the Divine impetus underlying the institution of the music ministry, we (all) will be better steward of our gifts as it relates to the choir: choir members will serve better; church officers will provide adequate resources for the ministry; the choir leadership will be better able to motivate the choir members; and the pastor will have realistic expectations with regard to the choir's service.

AUG 07 / GIFTED OR TALENTED
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When we, as musicians, treat our ability as a "gift" we are implicitly recognizing that it – the music in us – was voluntarily transferred from One Person (God) to another (the musician) without compensation (i.e., no charge). God put music in you and in me and did not charge us for it! I have talent, but I ought to recognize that my talent is a "gift." More specifically it is God's gift to me. And if God gave it to me, then I am responsible to God for how God's gift is used.

JULY 07 / THE SONGS OF THE LORD
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The sung praise of God is a prominent feature of Scripture, indicating that it should be a prominent feature in the lives of Christians and The Church. It has been noted that song is unique among the gifts that God has bestowed upon humanity in that it is the only gift given to us on loan, for when all of God's children are gathered home to praise God throughout all eternity, we shall give back to God the gift of song.

JUNE 07 / COURSE INTRODUCTION
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Music can be inspirational and still not be "gospel"! It can avoid the pitfalls of abusive and vulgar language and still not be "gospel"! "Gospel music" is "sacred" music for it embraces Scripture as the basis for its lyric. If it ain't Biblical, it ain't gospel! For example, "I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. Think about it every night and day?" that ain't gospel! It's nice. It has a catchy melodic line. It was trumpeted by a super-star with a golden voice. But it still ain't gospel! Why? The song has no prophetic content.