In my many years of singing in and directing choirs, I have discovered that most choirs strive for artistic excellence and joyful praise, but few emphasize spiritual growth and witness through music. Nor do many choir members seek this. “Oh!” you say, “This book is for mu-sicians. I’ll pass this on to the choir director.”

“Wrong,” I say. “This book is for all who are interested in their spiritual growth, so read it and pass it on.”

Hook, former Director of Music Resources, General Board of Discipleship, and a deacon in the Memphis Conference of The United Methodist Church, invites choir directors “to consider how they intentionally nurture the faith of choir members, build Christian community, and equip people for ministry in their daily lives through participation in the choir.”

Spirituality
Most adults want a closer relationship with God. Some move from church to church seeking this, expecting it to take place in the Sunday morning worship services. This is a logical place to look and if we go expecting spiritual fueling, we will receive it, but continuous spiritual growth requires more than what we receive on Sunday morning. We must take the steps and practice.

A focus today in the church is on small groups helping and encouraging growth in its members. We in Covenant Discipleship Groups know that having a plan (a covenant) that we can work on individually and as a group will help us hear God more clearly, stay on course, and watch over one another in love.

Anne reminds us that our mission as Christians is, “to go and make disciples . . . and teach them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28: 19-20a) She asks, “When was the last time your faith was formed significantly in a committee meeting? The purpose of this book is to help you imagine how your choir might be both a faith-forming experience for its members and a leader in the faith-formation of others through worship.” I further suggest to worship committees, handbell players, liturgical dancers, ushers and even finance committees that they substitute their organization’s name for “choir” in that statement.

Means of Grace
As Covenant Discipleship members and class leaders, we understand and practice some of the means of grace as spelled out in our covenants. However, specific chapters on worship, scripture reading, prayer, Christian conferences, fasting and Acts of Mercy in this section provide us with new insights as well as confirmation of what we are doing.

Section 3 provides specific directions for the choir to weave the fabric of spiritual growth into rehearsal planning and experiencing and challenges other music group leaders to do the same. Segments of the book can be used as devotions in small time periods. Questions for reflection and discussion are included at the end of each chapter followed by additional suggested resources.

Preparing music for worship is time-consuming. However, Anne ends the book with the biblical story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Mary listens to Jesus while Martha prepares the meal. When Martha complains of doing all the work, Jesus says, “Martha, you are . . . distracted by many things but there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part. Do not let the tasks of being hospitable get in the way of participating in the relationship.” God, who created us, and gifted us for ministry, now calls us into a deeper relationship.

Grace Notes is available from Amazon.com.