Who Should Be in the Foxhole?

In his book, God's Singers, Dave Williamson states that he believes that there is scriptural evidence that God intended for there to be choirs in worship.  He never states that there should be only choirs but that choirs should be one of the methods that we use to worship the Lord, even in modern churches.

Williamson readily admits that there is only one specific reference to a choir (Nehemiah 12) but there are several references to "singers."  He also acknowledges that "singers" could reference any number of 2 or more.  As he builds the case for choirs in worship he references several places in scripture where large groups are recorded to be worshiping the Lord.  For example, "the morning stars sang together," in Job 38.  "A multitude of the heavenly host," in Bethlehem declared "glory to God in the highest!"  Over 100 million angels around the throne declare, "worthy is the Lamb who was slain."  Every tribe and tongue, people and nation declare, "Salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb."

We need to be aware that as Williamson writes he is in support of the concept of choir as a group of singers who lead in worship.  The assumption is a semi-large group, not just a couple of singers or a small ensemble.  He is not necessarily for or against some of the rules that we have given to choirs because those rules may change from church to church.  For example, should a choir wear robes or not?  Should they hold music folders or not?  Should they stand in a choir loft or on the stage with a band?  Should they all stand uniformly or should they be allowed to move freely as they worship?  None of that is Williamson's concern.  He simply wants groups of singers to be allowed to lead worship.

He reminds us that in scripture, choirs and musicians led their people into battle.  They were at the front lines of battle waving the banner of the Most High as they approached the enemy.  It is here that for the first time Williamson makes me say, "hhhmmmmmm......"  If the choir is part of the Army of the Lord, who should be in the army?  If you were going into a real war, would you want someone on your side if they did not have proper combat training?  As we go into the spiritual battle of worship, should there be people on our team who have no relationship with the Lord?

For many years, choirs have been a "front door" of church involvement for people, often allowing those who do not have a personal relationship with Christ to join the choir in hopes that the person will accept Christ as Savior.  Every choir that I have been a member of or led has been that way.  Williamson says that it is no longer his desire to do evangelism within the choir.  There is no other leadership group in the church in which we try to do evangelism.  We don't do it with teachers, deacons, committee heads, or key leadership committees but we do it in worship leadership.  Williamson says, "I believe that someone who has not made Jesus the Lord of his or her life has no business in a choir whose paramount reason for existence is to lead the congregation into the manifest presence of God.  That speaks of blasphemy." Williamson does say that he personally interviews every person who wants to join his choir and has encountered people who did not have a relationship with Christ.  He shares the Gospel with them and he says that no one has ever not accepted Christ.

So....here is my question.  If the choir is part of the Army of the Lord and is charged with leading the army into battle, should it consist of only those who have a relationship with Christ?   Let's talk about it............