Interestingly, the Ayers see the choir as one big praise team. Wouldn't any worship leader be thrilled to have 10, 20, 50 or more on the platform with them helping lead the congregation into the presence of the Lord? The reason the choir plays such a major role in the overall worship experience is that each person in the choir is a point of contact for one or many in the congregation - from relatives to friends. When the individual in the congregation connects with that choir member, they are drawn also to participate. The result is one mass choir - not just on the platform - but throughout the entire congregation. This in turn strengthens the choir and their response becomes greater. It seems there is a snowball effect when the choir is encouraged to see themselves as worship leaders.

The Ayers believe every church should have a choir and that most churches of 50 to 1000 should be able to maintain ten percent of the congregation as the choir. Churches of 1000 and more should maintain five to ten percent. But how does a church accomplish this? The Ayers also believe anyone can sing. While some are better than others, with lessons, practice and prayer, they believe anyone with the desire to glorify the Lord in song should be able to participate. They encourage auditions to group appropriate parts, and for those less capable, they offer hints such as never sing so loudly that you cannot hear the others around you. They also recommend that the individual take private lessons and diligently come to practices. The potential choir member is invited to join in when they feel comfortable. So far they have had few overpowering out-of-tune voices to contend with.

Seven keys to a motivated choir
But how do you develop, encourage and maintain a choir on a weekly basis? The Ayers have developed seven ways to maintain enthusiasm:

1. Have a goal to work toward. This might be a seasonal production, a special engagement, an album project, or special events within or outside the church.

2. Present fresh material. Be on the outlook for new material, which can be found through listening, as well as publishers' choral clubs, which send out new material quarterly.

3. Allow time for teaching in your practices. Give nuggets of revelation to motivate the choir. You can include the choir in this endeavor by asking different choir members to bring a short devotion or exhortation each week. Short teachings can include everything from studies from the Psalms to practical instruction on diction.

4. Give time to the Holy Spirit. Have prayer, and pause for expressions of the Spirit. Go through Sunday's repertoire, as well as their special number, to allow the choir to experience the Spirit's moving with each song.

5. Encourage them individually. The Psalmist David always encouraged and built up his men. Tell your choir members, individually and corporately, when they do a good job. Send birthday cards, acknowledge new members and celebrate special events with the choir during practices.

6. Make your choir a democracy. Let the choir make decisions as a corporate body. Allow them to offer ideas for songs, outreach events, etc. Organizing special committees for events also will help the choir take ownership of their ministry.

7. Make wisdom your goal. Ask God to help you go past your personal feelings in rehearsal to see the bigger picture. Because rehearsals are such a concentrated time of learning, they can become stressful. It is easy to lose your voice of reason. You also may find that because your choir members have closer contact with you than with the Senior Pastor, they often will come to you for advice and encouragement. Let wisdom prevail in all that you say and do.

1. Teach and lead prayer by example. Encourage members to pray daily for other members and musicians, as well as to pray for others on the way to the service. You may want to establish a prayer partner system within your choir.

2. Punctuality. The choir should realize that their anointing as a group is based on their diligence as a group. Encourage and demonstrate punctuality to both practices and services.

3. Prefer one another. Help members become just as excited for the one who gets the solo as they would if they were in the spotlight.

4. Put on the garment of praise. Help your members learn to let their countenance reflect God, to put their personal feelings aside.

5. Preparation is paramount. The quality of your preparation determines the quality of the performance. Encourage members to memorize the words to songs. Memorization expands the mind and challenges the individual. And the impact on the congregation is greater when the choir makes eye contact with them.

6. Practice makes perfect. Apart from weekly rehearsals, instruct choir members to practice in front of a mirror to see what they look like from the pew.

Of course be sure to have consistent weekly practices that start and end on time. Being considerate will develop trust and confidence. Affirm your choir. Realize that they are bearing their souls every time they stand before the congregation and sing. They will either feel affirmation or rejection. Make it your job to make them feel special week after week.

The priorities of a leader
As a music leader, it is always good to reflect on your own role and ministry. Take time to re-assess your priorities often, making sure you have:

• A Heart After God. You should have an ear to hear and a voice that proclaims insight and revelation. Your example to your choir is determined by the depth of your relationship with the Lord.

• The Heart of a Pastor. Whether you've thought of yourself as such, you are the shepherd of your choir. You can provide the oversight and the insight they need to be faithful followers.

• A Heart for the People. Love your choir members. Pray for and with them. Open yourself up to them, and be real with them. And never be afraid to have fun with them.

Tim and Sally Ayers have ministered as choir directors for over 15 years and currently conduct music symposiums all over the country. You may reach them at (214)436-8192.