VOCALS
WHAT QUALIFIES A VOCALIST? | Sheri Gould
I recently came across a humorous article someone to sing on a worship team. Is it the to make sure that she was singing adequately.
written by The Babylon Bee. They list ability to sing well? Is it the ability to lead others On the surface this might sound great, but I
themselves as “Your Trusted Source for in worship by being a genuine worshiper? I say was more concerned with motive. I asked her
Christian News Satire.” I often find their articles the answer is yes to both. We need qualified “Do you often find you daughter worshiping
funny, (if not insightful) and, of course, this one singers who are mature worshipers capable of in her room?” I received a blank stare. What
stood out to me. It was titled “Singing Ability leading others. was likely happening was that she would find
Apparently Not Required to Be on Worship her singing on occasion, but not necessarily
Team.” A quote from the article reads like this… worshiping. I applaud the concept of teaching
‘”it looks like all you need is a face," said
longtime church member Sally Creighton, 47.
"An attractive face usually helps your application
get fast-tracked too, it would seem." Other
...there may be
some confusion
well they can emote on command, and whether
they are related to the pastor.
as to what
wrong key…” At publishing time, sources had
what we are communicating. If we aren’t, we
may inadvertently end up developing and
rewarding a performance mentality
Singers, who are interested in being worship
leaders/background
constitutes
singers
for
worship
leading, should be trained and skilled in the
"I can't tell if that girl up there is doing
harmonies or just singing in the completely
ministry, but we need to be very careful about
What shall we say then?
factors that church leaders seem to take into
account are applicants' sense of fashion, how
and encouraging our young people to serve in
art of singing and the form of leading worship.
a 'gift' or 'talent'
Anything less will undermine the true value we
have as singers and leaders.
further confirmed that worship team members
What are the standards in your church? Do
didn't need to know how to read music, play in
the appropriate time signature, or wear jeans Although I believe there are some innately more you have requirements for the singers on your
that fit”. talented than others, with regard to singing, worship team? I certainly hope they are higher
overall, I believe that singing is a skill that than those of The Babylon Bee’s fictitious
Of course, this is a joke and the person being can be developed and refined. 1st and 2nd church. At a minimum, a singer should be able
quoted isn’t real. But I have to say that this hits Chronicles is filled with descriptions of temple to sing in tune. They should exhibit a reasonable
closer to home than we might like to admit. I’d musicians, their jobs and the training they went degree of vocal independence (so they can
like to say at the outset here that I never want through. Singing has always been an important hold their own amid harmony). They should
to discourage someone from serving in their aspect of worship. By these descriptions we understand how to blend with others, and this
local church. Rather, I would love to encourage can see that singing was looked at as a skill means they are able to sing with a tone that is
everyone to function in the giftings and talents to be honed. I believe we should do the same. warm, round and malleable. The ability to sing
that God has given them. I just believe there Additionally, there is the issue of the “star” harmony is within reach of most singers with
may be some confusion as to what constitutes element which can further confuse things. the right training, all singers on a team should
a ‘gift’ or ‘talent’ and which of those should Sadly, it’s often difficult for people (especially aspire to this. More importantly, every singer
be required to lead worship in front of the younger people) to dissociate the excitement of on a worship team should be an enthusiastic,
congregation… on a microphone. being under the spotlight from the importance genuine, demonstrative worshiper of God who
of being a leader of worship. is capable of leading others into His presence.
You see, being a genuine Spirit-filled worshiper
doesn’t make you a gifted singer anymore then, I’m reminded of the mother of a young
being a gifted singer makes you a genuine, teenaged girl who asked me if I would work
Spirit-filled worshiper. My point is this: we with her daughter. Her daughter was going to
seem to be a bit confused as to what qualifies be joining the worship team and she wanted
100
April 2019
Sheri Gould
Sheri is an internationally acclaimed vocal coach.
She’s been helping artists and worshipers find their
voice for over 40 years. For help and resources visit
her site.
www.SheriGould.com
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