10 COMMANDMENTS FOR CHOIRS (frame and put in choir room)

(new thoughts are posted two to three times a week)

Thou shalt not make a joyful noise unto the Lord with a sour puss.

Thou shalt open thy mouth to sing but not to complain or bear false notes or witness.

Thou shalt not try to steal the show for it is God thou art honoring and not thyself.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors voice, but neither shalt thou become overly impressed with thine own.

Thou shalt honor choir practice night and keep it free, for he or she who does not practice becomes a monument to imperfection.

Thou shalt remember where thou art during Sunday worship and keep it holy.
A giggling chattering choir is an abomination to the Lord,
a worry to the preacher,
and an irritation to the pew.

Thou shalt not put off joining the choir for procrastination doesn’t know or care about harmony. Thou shalt not put off quitting the choir when thou hast lost thy voice for then it is a gift in reverse.

Thou shalt not mumble thy words, but rather remember there is great charity in clarity.

Thou shalt not kill thy choir by competing with the choir director for his or her job.

Thou shalt not quit thy choir when thy feelings are hurt, but rather raise up these feelings fo the ministration of the Lord.

*** A number of folk who have read this have suggested it should be framed and hung in every choir room in America.

*** The Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln is now upon us. All during 2009 there will be many national celebrations. Many secular historians will ignore or mute the spiritual nature of this 16th President of the United States.

Therefore, from the pulpit, in conversation and in church newsletters emphasis needs to be made as to the spiritual nature of this man who quoted so often from the Bible, who prayed on a regular basis and who was able to say “With malice toward none, with charity toward all.”

To Ground yourself with facts and inspiration read…
Neil’s book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN