One of the many dilemmas faced in churches is where to put the organ and where to put the choirs. Many churches have a balcony, and that's where the organ goes. I have played on a few organs where they are right up in front. I really hate that, because I just don't like people watching me while I play. My musical offerings are not about me being seen, but adding to the worship services. Some churches will have their adult choirs sing from the front of the congregation as well. I don't really feel comfortable with that either, because it comes back to a performance mentality as opposed to leading in worship. Handbell choirs are a sticky issue for me. They are visually as well as auditory enjoyable. So do they need to be in front? If you have the space. Children's choirs? A conversation I have had with a few older adults has been quite interesting. They feel it is quite OK for the children to be in front, because "they're cute" but for none of the adults to be in front because that's not right. Interesting perspective, but what is that teaching our children about worship? Can't children be a part of leading the worship service without "being cute"? Or do they always have to be doing fun Bible songs that come across to me more as a performance?
Another hot button issue in congregations is having the praise team in front. Personally, I would rather have the praise team in the balcony, because that intentionally takes the focus off of the group. But it has become habit that we need to have the praise team in the front. This brings about so many difficulties, many of which I currently face! There are the interpersonal relationships in the group, which happens in many choirs, but seem to be exaggerated in praise teams. And no matter how hard you try, the human side of people creeps back in and it becomes more of a focus on us than it is on God. I'm praying for guidance and wisdom as I journey through the challenges that God has placed in front of me.
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Personally, I have my choir sing from the front. I would do it anyway, but I HAVE to because we are on the radio and the mikes are up there AND Dan wouldn't be able to sing with us if we didn't sing from the front. But I would do it anyway, because people enjoy not just hearing, but also watching a choir. I notice that when choirs sing from the balcony, half the congregation is sneaking glances up there and the other half wish they were. :) I think that's distracting and when they can watch the choir, they can concentrate on what the choir is singing and not if anyone noticed that they just looked back up to the balcony and if it is rude to just turn around and watch. :) I also think that kids enjoy seeing a choir sing and it helps parents if the kids can just sit still and watch the choir sing. I think it is all about the attitude though. If you sing from the front because you are just that good and not to give glory to God, it is meaningless vanity - likewise if you sing from the balcony for the acoustics and because you are so talented, it is also vanity. Just my opinion! :)
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