Reading the Word

Reading the Word

It’s Sunday morning and the atmosphere in the church auditorium is charged with a worshipful sense of expectancy. The organist has prepared a prelude based on the theme from “To God Be The Glory.” The choir is excited about sharing a new rendition of “Praise Ye The Lord, the Almighty,” arranged for them by a talented young church musician. The pianist has chosen “Majesty” for the offertory. The worship leader has selected hymns which focus the hearts of the worshippers on exalting God, preparing them for the minister’s announced message of the day, “Try Praise” based on Psalm 145. A soloist has practiced diligently and is singing, “My Tribute” which continues the theme. A small chamber orchestra will play “Thine Be the Glory.” A reverent hush settles over the assembly as souls and minds are quieted and centered on worship.

Then, just before the message, the time arrives which is described in the order of service as the Responsive Reading. Suddenly, a congregation which has been extremely responsive to the spirit of the meeting becomes totally unresponsive. The reader chosen to lead this portion of the service has not bothered to look through the verses ahead of time. He reads with his head buried in the text, hurrying through the passage as if there were a trophy waiting for him at the finish line. He bobs his head slightly to signal the beginning of each congregational reading, then stops and shuffles his Bible and other papers nervously as the people haltingly try to match his vigorous pace. By the third or fourth response most have given up, although some hardy souls follow the lead of a prominent voice from the rear of the auditorium.

Sound familiar? Any similarity to the public reading of Scripture in your church? Or has the reading of Scripture already died and been buried with other memories of traditions long past?

Perhaps even without the tradition of responsive reading the worshipful atmosphere of your congregation is being destroyed. John Wesley said that a certain congregation of his day ought to pay its clergyman for not reading aloud from the Bible. Sad to say, many pastors spend twenty plus hours preparing a sermon and not a moment preparing to read aloud the passage on which that sermon is based. Yet all would agree with Arthur J. Gossip of Glasgow, Scotland, who said, “Compared to Scripture our own poor bits of sermons are a trivial affair, a mere footnote in small print.” Considering the importance of the Word, shouldn’t it be practiced as much as the choir number? Shouldn’t it be prepared as effectively as the sermon? Should it not be prayed over as extensively as the invitation?

It’s Sunday morning and the atmosphere in the church auditorium is charged with a worshipful sense of expectancy. As the organist concludes a thrilling prelude, ten people move quietly to the platform and turn to face the audience. First in unison, and then by means of solo and ensemble voices, they speak the familiar words of Psalm 145. “I will extol thee, my God, O King; and I will bless thy name forever and ever” As they speak the significance of the Scripture becomes clear in the minds of the listeners, and they become aware of the intent of the psalmist, “my mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.”

Excerpted from “Speaking the Word: Scriptures for the Speaking Choir” published by C. S. S. Publishing.