Church A is located in a development zone in a northern Chinese city. It started as a small group led by a pastor and his wife and has grown over the past decade into a church of nearly 300 members. The church has developed diverse ministries, particularly in sacred music. In the past, the church did not have a dedicated music ministry worker. However, since hiring Xiao Nan, a graduate in sacred music, four years ago, the church choir has seen significant improvement in both their attitude towards singing and their professional skills.
These changes did not happen overnight. Xiao Nan and the choir experienced many conflicts. But she said, "Fortunately, each member did not give up on their spiritual growth."
Initial challenges in the church
Xiao Nan graduated from a seminary in 2020 and joined the church in July of that year. Reflecting on her early days om the ministry, she recalled facing difficulties leading choir members who were older and had been attending the church for many years. Sometimes, when she shared on stage, some members would talk among themselves, which frustrated her. However, this situation did not last long. Xiao Nan shared that several women members noticed the talking and intervened. She testified, "Although everyone has their small faults, they show obedience to the truth and cherish having a professional to teach them."
"Don't hold us to standards for full-time workers"
The choir’s professional learning was not easy. Xiao Nan initially taught them to read sheet music and practice vocal exercises. However, learning sheet music was not inherently interesting, and many members were resistant. Some even told Xiao Nan, "Our level is just like this, don't hold us to full-time standards." Facing this clash, Xiao Nan shared that, as a leader, she knew the sacred music presented to God should not be mediocre. She often shared her frustrations with the pastor and experienced God's illumination, "These people are here to serve the Lord."
Considering that choir members had their own families and jobs but still came to the church for practice, Xiao Nan began to empathize with them. However, she did not lower the choir’s standards but instead focused more on leading them to God, "rather than hold to my demands and pay close attention to the choir’s flashy performance."
After experiencing a change in mindset, Xiao Nan began to patiently teach the choir. Through repeated teaching and encouragement, they learned to read sheet music and recognize pitch accurately after three years.
Growing in faith together
Reflecting on the choir's growth, Xiao Nan said that all these changes were due to each person not giving up on their spiritual growth. Besides the weekly Thursday night practice, the choir also held small group sessions for sacred music study and spiritual devotion. Currently, they collectively participate in a 52-week choir devotion. On a fifth Sunday, the choir would have fellowship together, sharing their recent experiences and discussing the choir's development during meals.
Xiao Nan concluded, "The choir is not a musical performance group but aims to bring Christians to faith through their singing. If there is an expression of life and emotion, that is a good offering. Therefore, everyone’s daily faith growth is crucial."
Choir practice sessions
In the early days, Xiao Nan would spend half an hour teaching choir members to read sheet music and practice vocal exercises. Familiar with sheet music, they prepare songs for church services and festivals after practicing vocal exercises. Xiao Nan explained, "During church festivals, especially Christmas, the choir needs to present many hymns. We prepare in advance and practice these hymns with corresponding sheet music."
Reflecting on the choir's growth, Xiao Nan said she found pride in choir members who said, "We understand everything you say now." Previously, when they performed on stage, their movements were scattered. Now, their walking and sitting postures have improved. "We need to value this ministry, as we are offering worship to God with each believer watching us," she summarized.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
A教会是华北某市一间位于开发区的教会，刚开始只是一对牧师夫妇带领的小组。经过十几年发展到如今有近300人聚会，教会在各项事工上日趋完善，尤其在圣乐服事方面。过去教会没有专职圣乐事奉人员，自四年前教会聘请圣乐专业毕业的小楠加入后，教会诗班从献诗态度到专业水平都有了显著的提升。
但这些变化并非一蹴而就，期间小楠和诗班也多次经历冲突，但她说 好在“大家没有放弃信仰的成长”。
初到教会经历碰撞
小楠在2020年从神学院毕业后，于当年7月份入职教会。回忆起初服事的情景，小楠说，作为年轻的神学毕业生，面对比她年长又在教会聚会多年的诗班成员，她不知如何带领。有时她在台上分享，有成员会在底下讨论，她为此感到受挫。但这一情况并没有持续太久，小楠分享说教会几个姐妹发现有人说话后，出面制止。对此，小楠见证：“虽然大家都有各自的小毛病，但在真理性的问题上大家都很顺服，也很珍惜有一位专业的人员来教会服事。”
“不要用全职者的标准要求我们”
大家在专业的学习上并不容易，小楠一开始教大家认识五线谱并练习发声。只是五线谱的学习本身并不有趣，大家都有点厌学。有人和小楠说“我们的水平就这样了，不要以全职者的标准要求我们”。面对碰撞，小楠分享说作为带领者，她知道向神献上的圣乐不应该是这样。为此她常和牧者交流自己的苦恼，期间也经历神的光照，“这些人过来是服事主的”。
想到诗班成员有各自的家庭和工作，但还是来教会练习。小楠心里开始有了体恤，但没有降低对诗班水平的要求。而是花更多精力关注将大家带到神面前，“而不是关注我的要求和诗班的华丽表现”。
经历心态转变后，小楠开始耐心教导诗班。通过反复地教和鼓励，三年后大家都学会了五线谱，并且能听出音准。
一起信仰成长
回顾诗班的成长，小楠见证，这一切的改变都是源于大家没有放弃信仰的成长。诗班除每周四晚上的练习外，周中会有小组。每个小组根据自己的时间进行圣乐学习和灵修，现在大家集体进行52周的诗班灵修。而在有第五个主日的月份，诗班会一起团契。大家在饭桌上沟通交流，分享这段时间的境况，就诗班的发展各抒己见。
小楠总结说，“诗班不是音乐团体表演，而是为通过献诗把弟兄姐妹带到神面前。如果有生命的流露和感动，这就是好的献诗。因此大家平时信仰的成长很重要。”
诗班练习现场
早期时，小楠会用半个小时教大家五线谱和练习发声。现在大家已经熟悉五线谱，在练习发声后，大家就为教会节气的诗歌和平时的主日献诗准备。小楠解释说，“教会的节日，特别是在圣诞节，诗班需要唱很多赞美诗。我们都会提早预备，这些诗歌我们也会配套五线谱练习。”
回顾诗班的成长，小楠说现在大家都很自豪，“你现在说的我们都懂”。以前上台献诗时大家走路散漫，现在走姿和坐姿都改变了，“我们是向神献上敬拜，大家都看着我们呢，我们要看重这份事工。”她总结说。
圣乐专职同工助力教会诗班在专业与信仰上提升
Church A is located in a development zone in a northern Chinese city. It started as a small group led by a pastor and his wife and has grown over the past decade into a church of nearly 300 members. The church has developed diverse ministries, particularly in sacred music. In the past, the church did not have a dedicated music ministry worker. However, since hiring Xiao Nan, a graduate in sacred music, four years ago, the church choir has seen significant improvement in both their attitude towards singing and their professional skills.
These changes did not happen overnight. Xiao Nan and the choir experienced many conflicts. But she said, "Fortunately, each member did not give up on their spiritual growth."
Initial challenges in the church
Xiao Nan graduated from a seminary in 2020 and joined the church in July of that year. Reflecting on her early days om the ministry, she recalled facing difficulties leading choir members who were older and had been attending the church for many years. Sometimes, when she shared on stage, some members would talk among themselves, which frustrated her. However, this situation did not last long. Xiao Nan shared that several women members noticed the talking and intervened. She testified, "Although everyone has their small faults, they show obedience to the truth and cherish having a professional to teach them."
"Don't hold us to standards for full-time workers"
The choir’s professional learning was not easy. Xiao Nan initially taught them to read sheet music and practice vocal exercises. However, learning sheet music was not inherently interesting, and many members were resistant. Some even told Xiao Nan, "Our level is just like this, don't hold us to full-time standards." Facing this clash, Xiao Nan shared that, as a leader, she knew the sacred music presented to God should not be mediocre. She often shared her frustrations with the pastor and experienced God's illumination, "These people are here to serve the Lord."
Considering that choir members had their own families and jobs but still came to the church for practice, Xiao Nan began to empathize with them. However, she did not lower the choir’s standards but instead focused more on leading them to God, "rather than hold to my demands and pay close attention to the choir’s flashy performance."
After experiencing a change in mindset, Xiao Nan began to patiently teach the choir. Through repeated teaching and encouragement, they learned to read sheet music and recognize pitch accurately after three years.
Growing in faith together
Reflecting on the choir's growth, Xiao Nan said that all these changes were due to each person not giving up on their spiritual growth. Besides the weekly Thursday night practice, the choir also held small group sessions for sacred music study and spiritual devotion. Currently, they collectively participate in a 52-week choir devotion. On a fifth Sunday, the choir would have fellowship together, sharing their recent experiences and discussing the choir's development during meals.
Xiao Nan concluded, "The choir is not a musical performance group but aims to bring Christians to faith through their singing. If there is an expression of life and emotion, that is a good offering. Therefore, everyone’s daily faith growth is crucial."
Choir practice sessions
In the early days, Xiao Nan would spend half an hour teaching choir members to read sheet music and practice vocal exercises. Familiar with sheet music, they prepare songs for church services and festivals after practicing vocal exercises. Xiao Nan explained, "During church festivals, especially Christmas, the choir needs to present many hymns. We prepare in advance and practice these hymns with corresponding sheet music."
Reflecting on the choir's growth, Xiao Nan said she found pride in choir members who said, "We understand everything you say now." Previously, when they performed on stage, their movements were scattered. Now, their walking and sitting postures have improved. "We need to value this ministry, as we are offering worship to God with each believer watching us," she summarized.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
From Struggles to Harmony: Church Choir Thrives Under New Leadership
