Singing Soloist

["William The Baptist"]

I'm not sure this is in the right forum...

But I am unsure how to handle something that has come up. My parents are always wanting me to sing at their church. My dad especially. They always want me to "use the gift God has given me". Their church is very traditional and sings strictly hymns and only uses a piano and choir. However, almost every Sunday morning they have a "Special" (that's what it says in the bulletin, so and so is singing this Sunday morning's Special) which is a performance type singing of any Christian song in a solo style (this is when some more "contemporary" music is entered onto the scene).

I could have joined the choir a long time ago... but sometimes have theological reservations concerning some of their song choices. I haven't sang a "special" for a couple years.

It's been months since anyone asked "It's been so long since you have sung for us, when are you singing again?"... but the worship pastor/director pressed me again to sing. I am really uncomfortable with the idea since I don't like singing on Sunday mornings in such a way (not to mention it has been quite the journey in regards to music for me... from hating the Christian music scene and wishing to become famous in secular music, to only wanting to glorify God in all my actions and thus maybe a worship leader was a nice idea... to rejecting the charismatic/contemporary female worship leader idea then sometime after to being introducing to RPW).

I felt really on the spot when brother. Richard asked if I would sing in *a couple weeks* after church and a couple of other people enthusiastically agreed and said they wished I would sing on stage at church more and even offered some suggestions to sing. So I kind of mumbled a "sure".

My dilemma is I don't think I could in good conscience... nor would I feel comfortable singing on stage at church as a soloist on the Lord's day. (I've sung in front of people so many times in years past, both church and non church events-so it is not a stage fright fear things at all) and I don't know if I should graciously do it this "one last time" or tell him I don't want to any more? I would dislike appearing inconsistent but at the same time, really don't want to ever again and would prefer not to.

Thoughts?

 

[Tim]

Leah, I don't think you should go against your conscience, and it is great that you are thinking through these things theologically. You are not being inconsistent if you have changed your views on what is proper in corporate worship; you are instead acting with integrity. I agree with many of the reasons you have mentioned above for not wanting to sing a solo. The most important, however, is the RPW, and I am glad that you mentioned this also.

It would be worthwhile to read further on the RPW (if you don't think you have done so sufficiently already). This will continue to help inform your conscience with the biblical doctrines of worship that would be involved in this issue. The more you know about reformed worship, the easier it will be for you to state reasons why you do not wish to sing for the congregation. You have made it clear to us that you are uncomfortable with the idea. The best thing now would be for you to be able to communicate this clearly to those who wish you to sing. Be gracious in declining. You should never be made to go against your conscience.

I will let people wiser than myself comment on how you can do this while still honoring your parents according to the fifth commandment. So, the last thing I will say is that in matters like this, there is often a time when there is a decision demanded of you - and you need to give an answer! What do you believe in this situation? How would God have you act? You will then need to act according to your conscience, despite pressure from others to the contrary, but always with tact and grace. You can do it.

 

[Zach]

A helpful bit of advice that was given to me recently by the Pastor of the Church I worship with Lord's Day evenings, from a source he couldn't remember, was, "Do not let your conscience bear witness against you unless it bears witness with scripture." Then again, Luther said to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I'd say you are handling it really well and looking at the situation biblically and trust you have the wisdom to discern the right course. Sorry I don't have more concrete advice.

 

[Jack K]

Not everyone here will agree (imagine that!), but I believe a solo now and then that expresses biblical truth and praise to God is a perfectly fine part of worship. But it should be done so as to direct praise toward God and cause the congregation to better appreciate him, not the soloist. Because the attention can easily end up focused on the soloist, solos should be handled with care. In fact, they may not be wise at all depending on how a particular congregation tends to react to them... or how they affect the soloist.

It sounds like you struggle, as many singers would, with the attention that ends up focused on you when you sing a solo. In my book, that right there is a good reason to decline. Any pastor or worship leader happily ought to let you bow out simply for the sake of your own desire to stay far away from any temptation toward self-gratification. You may have to explain this to them (and they ought to see it as admirable maturity on your part!), but you should not need to comment on the general practice of solos in worship.

 

[a mere housewife]

Leah, I am not sure how much worth my suggestions can have (and I hope they will be shot down if they are worthless) but my instinctive approach to this situation (if I could sing) would be:

1) Be careful to be very gracious, whatever else you do: make sure to say 'thank you, how kind' etc. when people express how they love to hear your voice. But turn it back on them: say that you are convinced that God who made their voice and died to hear it praise Him, loves to hear their voices just as much as yours in the worship of His redeemed people, and that you do too.

2) Explain that because of the above, you would be more comfortable singing solos in informal non worship settings.

3) Try to turn the opportunity in some measure into an opportunity to introduce better hymns/songs, and help people to learn them. The focus becomes entirely different when the purpose of someone singing or playing through a few verses of a song is to help others get an idea of the tune, so that they can sing too.

I do dearly love to hear beautiful voices sing what I cannot (I simply can't sing); and I understand why people might get a blessing out of hearing you sing praises to God. But if you point out that you are happy to do this less formal gatherings, and help them to understand that God died to hear them sing His praises, that all of your praise of Him in unison with one another in worship is a more beautiful sound than any professional musician's voice, I think it will be hard for them to be too upset at your scruples .

 

[Kim G]

I was stuck in pretty much the same position as you are for a while (my parents were the song leader and pianist). It's really hard to know what to do, especially when you don't have "one proof-text verse" that explicitly says what you believe.

In my case, while I was still living with my parents, I would sing on occasion, but I chose my songs very carefully to make sure they were theologically sound and written for the sake of communicating truth rather than showing off a trained voice. Since I grew up in a fundamentalist home, all of this "don't go against your conscience" stuff didn't work. My mom took it upon herself to be my conscience, and she believed she had every right to do that, even when I was 21. (She still tells my 21-year-old brother where he has to attend church in another state because she and dad are paying for his education.) Once I was married, it was easier to decline singing when my husband and I visited my family.

I don't think there's an easy answer. I hope you are able to discern your best course of action soon. Praying!

 

[Peairtach]

I think it's better, or rather biblical, keeping soloists for informal-style worship where it's understood that the line between worship and entertainment and performance isn't being strictly maintained e.g. Christian soirees, Christian concerts, etc.

There is a difference between formal and informal worship, as illustrated, for instance, by the fact that the Apostle Paul had to divide the formal worship of the Lord's Supper from the informal worship of the love feast.

When you come together (i.e. when you assemble for formal times of worship), it is not the Lord's supper that you eat.For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. (I Cor 11:20-22, ESV)

The Apostle didn't say that they shouldn't have their informal worship of love feasts i.e. Christian fellowship over good food, just that they had to be in the right context.

There is a different context, and people know there's a different context, and what is appropriate for one context is not appropriate for another.

 

[jwithnell]

When you look at some of the works and compositions of the great writers of sacred music (Mendelssohn's Elijah, Handel's many oratorios, the Bach passions, etc., you will find many works for soloists. We know that some, like Messiah, were sung as performances, but others, most notably the works of Bach, were intended for worship. I have been brought to tears listening to God's truth brought beautifully through the gift of musical talent. If I were in your shoes, I'd look at some of those compositions, and whether or not you use that style of music, look at the way the truth is presented and select your music accordingly. You might want to ask if you could sing from the back to direct attention to what is being sung rather than who is singing. (You'll find some older churches where a choir loft is actually built into the back. It may now be called a balcony but in many cases it was originally for the choir.)

 

[Jack K]

You might want to ask if you could sing from the back to direct attention to what is being sung rather than who is singing.

Yes. An excellent way to handle things.

 

[Micah Everett]

Originally Posted by jwithnell
You might want to ask if you could sing from the back to direct attention to what is being sung rather than who is singing.
Yes. An excellent way to handle things.

Agreed.

 

["William The Baptist"]

Thank you everyone for the thoughtful replies!

Tim, yes, that is something I have been slowly making my way through. Sometimes it seems overwhelming being convicted of so much, grasping it and understanding it... but to turn around and articulate it requires more in-depth studying and thoughtfulness to recount it to another in a gracious manner. Such is the case with RPW for me. I am still studying through it.

Jack, it is a struggle in a peculiar sense... I don't want to be idolized or made to be something more highly than I am, for I know I am not and the talent I may possess is only by the Lord's grace. I struggle because of those who give attention suddenly see others on stage in a different light, if that makes sense. After severing ties with aspirations to fame in the secular music realm, since then I have never wished for the limelight in anyway. I have other opportunities to sing that suit me well. (Singing for my grandparents, family, when fellowshipping with other believers... even at a recent relatives funeral). I just have qualms with being front and center alone on a Sunday morning service. I did not in the past, and it was never a spotlight issue then.

Heidi, your tender words are taken to heart!

Kim, that sounds oddly familiar, only my parents press it and are not musically talented. (; Thank you for your prayers. I have actually been praying and considering singing a theologically sound song and doing it "this time" for my parents. A lot has been going on with my parents (unrelated to this matter) and sitting down and talking to them about the why I do not wish to sing in such a manner at church on stage would not be wise.

As for singing in the back, it is not really feasible in the church I attend. It is a recently built sanctuary with no balcony and virtually no place to stand in the back (otherwise you're in the aisle or out the door!). I think wishing to sing in the back would cause more issues than simply declining... for my parents would accuse me of false humility and think I was trying to be "holier than thou" or I was trying to be cultic and reject "normal" Christian church things, or even that I was going to far to not be seen and that was prideful.

 

[bshpmark]

First, let me say how impressed I am that you are even thinking this through like you are. Many would not even go to these lengths to make sure that their worship was pleasing to the Lord. So I commend you on this.

Second, from a liturgical church standpoint which is where I am coming from, our entire service is designed to portray the glory of heaven and to focus the attention of the worshippers on the triune God. We occasionally have a soloist but the song is always appropriate for this type of worship. You won't find the soloist singing "Drop Kick Me Jesus Through the Goalposts of Life" or "The Baptism of Jesse Taylor." It may be the Lord's Prayer or a hymn or song pertaining to the Eucharist at the time the gifts are presented.

Third, if you did sing, could you introduce the song by reading a verse of Scripture before you sing that would cause the hearers to turn their attention to the Lord? Perhaps you ould sing a song that you could introduce by saying something like "As I sing this song for God's glory, I would ask you to bow your heads and be in a state of prayer as you listen to these words, and pray them back to the Lord in your hearts."

Fourth, as others have said, you have to be careful about going against your conscience. Romans 14 comes to mind and the issue of meat eating being okay for some Christians but not for others. Don't let others cause your conscience to be wounded just for the sake of their own enjoyment.

Finally, speaking out of experience. I went through two rounds with my parents. First when I became a Calvinist and second when I became an Anglican. Fortunately, my parents changed from an Arminian strain of Baptists and ended up becoming Reformed Baptists and then Orthodox Presbyterians and as Reformed if not more than me! But before they did you would have thought I had grown horns and come at them with a pitchfork. Well, it was all good after that until I decided to become Anglican. My mother cried and cried and cried because all she knew was that I was going to be a Roman Catholic because she saw me in a priest's collar and I was leaving the faith and going to hell. So, out of respect for her I kept my mouth shut about a lot of things, particularly about the Eucharist. It was not until their OPC pastor assured her that I was still a Christian that she was okay with everything.

What I am saying is this... I know you will love and respect your parents. In the earthly sphere of things that is what the Lord would have you do first and foremost in my opinion.

 

[au5t1n]

Leah, you have three good reasons to give a charitable but firm "no, thank you" to your worship leader:

1. You are not sure the RPW allows it (and you are right--good call).

2. You are not comfortable with it (that is a good enough reason by itself).

3. You do not feel it would be to your edification.

Those are good reasons. I personally don't think that you should feel obligated to explain and defend these reasons to folks who pressure you. A simple polite "No, thank you. I would rather not," should be sufficient for church leadership in particular. You might have to take more time and patience with your parents, but hopefully they will understand. Is it so unusual for someone not to want to get up in front and sing alone in church?

I also want to point out that I think the idea of "doing it one last time" to get people to stop bugging you is doomed to fail. The idea of you as a church solo singer will only be fresher in people's minds, and your reason for not wanting to do it next time will sound more hollow ("but you JUST did it. All of a sudden your feelings and convictions have changed?") I have used this kind of logic in the past and it never worked the way I planned. I would just advise sticking to your guns (politely and patiently) now, not later. I know it's hard. On the one hand, you are under pressure to go against your convictions and feelings; on the other hand, you want to be charitable and you don't want to get into an argument. That is understandable. I think time will get people used to you not singing in front, though.

 

[JennyG]

I think Austin's right about the chances of satisfying anyone by doing it "just this once". it will only focus on you more inevitably the kind of attention you don't want!
And I think you're right in your misgivings about doing it at all. It's true that music can be a glorious addition and aid to worship. Still I seriously question how far any soloist who steps out before a hushed and rapt audience to sing "I know that my Redeemer liveth" (say) will at the time be able to do it purely and entirely to the Lord (many won't even be trying, of course).

As an organist, I'm very much aware of how the music, and the necessary attention to technique, can take over the forefront of your mind. I don't have to take centre stage. I play tucked away out of sight at the organ console and pretty much taken for granted by the hearers, which is much better, but even so I can't easily keep my mind fixed prayerfully on the content of the music. I have to settle for offering it up beforehand, and I very often think of Sir Jacob Astley before the battle of Edgehill, praying
"O Lord, Thou knowest how busy I must be this day; if I forget Thee, do not Thou forget me."

It stands to reason that for you, stepping out as a soloist, it would be ten times harder to give God the glory. People would want to give plenty to you, whatever you said! Not always from bad motives either - they might think it unkind not to shower you with appreciation.
It's a shame you have reservations about the choir's music, or singing with them could have been a good compromise. The choir in my local church sings anthems every week, and there are quite often short solo passages within the anthems, but the soloists aren't announced by name and they don't even stand forward from their places within the ranks. That does away with a lot of what's worrying you

 

[TimV]

Neh 7:60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392.
Neh 7:61 The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers' houses nor their descent, whether they belonged to Israel:
Neh 7:62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642.
Neh 7:63 Also, of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name).
Neh 7:64 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
Neh 7:65 The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise.
Neh 7:66 The whole assembly together was 42,360,
Neh 7:67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337.

And they had 245 singers, male and female

.

Exo 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.
Exo 15:21 And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."

I agree you should use the gifts God gave you. A proper Christian solo during formal worship service is a natural and blessed part of Christian worship.

 

[toddpedlar]

Neh 7:60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392.
Neh 7:61 The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers' houses nor their descent, whether they belonged to Israel:
Neh 7:62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642.
Neh 7:63 Also, of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name).
Neh 7:64 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
Neh 7:65 The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise.
Neh 7:66 The whole assembly together was 42,360,
Neh 7:67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337.

And they had 245 singers, male and female

.

Exo 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.
Exo 15:21 And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."

I agree you should use the gifts God gave you. A proper Christian solo during formal worship service is a natural and blessed part of Christian worship.

Curious where it is, in those passages you cite as your evidence, that you see justification for "a proper Christian solo" as a "natural and blessed part of Christian worship."

 

[TimV]

When Miriam sang would the occasion have had more in common with a formal worship service or a youth bonfire at the beach? I'm curious as to why there's any question about it.

 

[au5t1n]

I agree you should use the gifts God gave you. A proper Christian solo during formal worship service is a natural and blessed part of Christian worship.

Even putting aside the question of whether solos belong in the worship service, why do you think it's okay to advise Leah to go against her conscience and do something non-obligatory (at the very least) which she has clearly stated she does not believe would tend to her edification?

I'm amazed that Leah came here for advice on dealing with unfair pressure and from some people she only gets more pressure. She said she doesn't feel comfortable doing it, and she doesn't think she can do it without sinning in her heart. What is difficult to understand about this?

I don't mean to single you out, Mr. Vaughan. I was just surprised that a number of people told Leah, after she said she doesn't think she can do this without sinning, that she should just do it. I know y'all mean well, but read what she said:

My dilemma is I don't think I could in good conscience... nor would I feel comfortable singing on stage at church as a soloist on the Lord's day.

 

[TimV]

Even putting aside the question of whether solos belong in the worship service, why do you think it's okay to advise Leah to go against her conscience and do something non-obligatory (at the very least) which she has clearly stated she does not believe would tend to her edification?

It show great quality on your part that you're so protective of her. I expect that of a young man of your caliber. But Leah's a big girl and my reading of her OP was that she wasn't totally settled in her mind and wanted input.

 

[au5t1n]

I'd like to echo Jack's advice:

It sounds like you struggle, as many singers would, with the attention that ends up focused on you when you sing a solo. In my book, that right there is a good reason to decline. Any pastor or worship leader happily ought to let you bow out simply for the sake of your own desire to stay far away from any temptation toward self-gratification. You may have to explain this to them (and they ought to see it as admirable maturity on your part!), but you should not need to comment on the general practice of solos in worship.

We can have fun debating solos on the PB, but given Leah's statements, I think the above is the best course in this situation.

---------- Post added at 09:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:01 AM ----------

Even putting aside the question of whether solos belong in the worship service, why do you think it's okay to advise Leah to go against her conscience and do something non-obligatory (at the very least) which she has clearly stated she does not believe would tend to her edification?

It show great quality on your part that you're so protective of her. I expect that of a young man of your caliber. But Leah's a big girl and my reading of her OP was that she wasn't totally settled in her mind and wanted input.

Re-reading your first post, I realize you were mainly addressing whether solos belong in church and not so much whether she should feel obligated to do it if she thinks she will be tempted to see it as a performance. I'm not trying to stifle discussion on solos; I just want to be careful to keep those two questions separate. I'm sure Leah will enjoy whatever transpires between you and Mr. Pedlar on the general acceptability of solos.

 

[toddpedlar]

When Miriam sang would the occasion have had more in common with a formal worship service or a youth bonfire at the beach? I'm curious as to why there's any question about it.

Whether it had "more in common" with a formal worship service or a youth bonfire at the beach isn't at all relevant. Some youth bonfires at a beach have more in common with a formal worship service than some actual worship services I've been a part of. If the events of Exodus 15 weren't part of a formal worship service, then it cannot serve as a means to make your case about the propriety of a solo as part of a formal worship service.

 

[TimV]

If the events of Exodus 15 weren't part of a formal worship service, then it cannot serve as a means to make your case about the propriety of a solo as part of a formal worship service.

Exactly. And if the incident was formal worship, then singing a solo is natural and good. Unless you lump singing solos along with animal sacrifices, then you'd have singing as a congregation non sacrificial and singing solo sacrificial.

 

[au5t1n]

If the events of Exodus 15 weren't part of a formal worship service, then it cannot serve as a means to make your case about the propriety of a solo as part of a formal worship service.

Exactly. And if the incident was formal worship, then singing a solo is natural and good. Unless you lump singing solos along with animal sacrifices, then you'd have singing as a congregation non sacrificial and singing solo sacrificial.

It might help if we had a better idea of what all you are willing to let the passage prove. Do you think it justifies a woman in the congregation gathering all the other women during service, giving them tambourines, and leading them in a dance around the pews? If not, why not?

I would consider the passage a national celebration of God's deliverance. I realize that for Israel the line between national celebration and public worship could be a little blurry, given that they were a nation-church. However, I think we can say at the very least that this event does not necessarily imply anything about what went on in synagogue services, nor what should go on in New Testament worship services after them.

 

[greenbaggins]

It is neither right nor safe to go against conscience, Leah. As others have said, this is your starting point. You have to settle what your conscience says. And I, though I think solos do not inherently violate the RPW, would never tell you to go ahead and do it if you're uncomfortable with it. If you decide against it, here's how I would recommend you handle it: go to the worship leader and/or pastor (and not alone, take someone with you that understands you and your conscience on this particular point, so that you won't feel "ganged up against") and simply explain why you don't feel comfortable doing it. Most pastors will realize right away the problem and won't keep on pressing you to do something you're uncomfortable doing. If you sense the worship leader/pastor is going to start putting pressure on you to change your mind, end the conversation graciously, but in a hurry! I agree with what some of the others have said that "one last time" isn't going to be one last time.

Incidentally, I also think that solos can be done terribly, and in such a distracting way that attention is focused on the singer rather than on the glory of God. Applause is horrible, for instance. If your church does that, then the chances of them receiving a solo in a proper way fall to zero anyway.

 

[TimV]

Austin do you think that there were synagogue services at that time?

I think that's a weak point in many of the RPW theories that are much more strict than most Reformed folk hold to. Yes, during the time of Christ and for some time before it seems there weren't for example musical instruments used. But I would ask if we should assume the typical Synagogue services during that time had any sort of Divine mandate?

Anyway, as to solos, just reduce things to what may, I admit, be a bit absurd, but still....OK, so we're on board that congregational singing was good and proper, right?? So there's 3 people in church 'cause it's snowed in, and two have colds and stop after the first verse. Should the last one singing stop because it's magically become sinful?

 

[Scott1]

You are to be commended for seeking this out biblically, and thoroughly.

Knowing what I know now, it would generally be uncomfortable having a "solo" because of the basic precepts of the regulative principle. Somehow, there might be occasions for exception, I'm thinking of a ten minute quiet piano solo before the service begins. Not sure how I can differentiate that, but am.

Calling attention to self is a standard of "broad evangelicalism," but not the deeper principles of God's Word. It's not about the people, or our feelings and we must focus on God in corporate worship.

It's especially egregious on the Lord's Day to detract from the holiness of the sabbath, which we need to be more conscious of, it seems in this generation more than the last.

But here's one exception, at least, if your church has some sort of special event, it might be okay. For example, an annual music program, children's play, etc.

I know some would probably say everything that happens on the church property must in some sense be corporate worship, but I think you could do this in another context like that.

While I'm not quite convinced any "solo" is always prohibited on the sabbath, the regulative principle would generally lean against it, especially a pattern or culture of that. And we ought not go against conscience, investigate if our conscience is right, biblically, but not go against it.

 

[au5t1n]

Austin do you think that there were synagogue services at that time?

I think that's a weak point in many of the RPW theories that are much more strict than most Reformed folk hold to. Yes, during the time of Christ and for some time before it seems there weren't for example musical instruments used. But I would ask if we should assume the typical Synagogue services during that time had any sort of Divine mandate?

Anyway, as to solos, just reduce things to what may, I admit, be a bit absurd, but still....OK, so we're on board that congregational singing was good and proper, right?? So there's 3 people in church 'cause it's snowed in, and two have colds and stop after the first verse. Should the last one singing stop because it's magically become sinful?

I have no idea whether there were synagogue services or something similar. I guess I doubt it. But either way, I think Miriam and the other women celebrating a significant historical event with an inspired celebration of God's deliverance (Miriam was a prophetess and her song was prophetic) does not prove anything about what a New Testament worship service should look like. Can you imagine the Apostle Paul instructing the church at Corinth to have all the women follow the pastor's sister in a tambourine dance around the room?

I guess what I need help with is how you are getting from (a) a one time, inspired national celebration of a significant redemptive-historical event to (b) Solos in regular NT worship. You might be right about (b), but I need to see the dots connected which prove it from (a).

---------- Post added at 09:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 AM ----------

To answer the hypothetical question...would the one guy in your example be singing for the others or just continuing to sing to God while they are momentarily disabled? There is a difference between can't sing and aren't allowed to sing. During a solo, only the person up front is supposed to sing. The others are supposed to listen, even if they don't have colds.

 

[JennyG]

you should use the gifts God gave you. A proper Christian solo during formal worship service is a natural and blessed part of Christian worship.

It may bless the hearers,... provided they don't see fit to applaud or otherwise confuse the house of worship with a concert hall. But what about the person singing? Tim, I know you wouldn't want to imply Leah has an obligation to bless the congregation at the expense of her own conscience :-S

 

[au5t1n]

you should use the gifts God gave you. A proper Christian solo during formal worship service is a natural and blessed part of Christian worship.

It may bless the hearers,... provided they don't see fit to applaud or otherwise confuse the house of worship with a concert hall. But what about the person singing? Tim, I know you wouldn't want to imply Leah has an obligation to bless the congregation at the expense of her own conscience :-S

That's what I should have said instead of my rant. Live and learn, I guess.

 

[Peairtach]

When Miriam sang would the occasion have had more in common with a formal worship service or a youth bonfire at the beach? I'm curious as to why there's any question about it.

You have to remember that we have a new pattern for formal and gathered worship that is simple, spiritual and scriptural in the New Covenant era i.e. unaccompanied Psalm-singing.

This is appropriate to the more mature New Testament church that does not need soloists, musical intruments and other fancy accoutrements in order to worship God.