A Reason to Be Suspicious of Worship Bands

Jean-Jacques von Allmen was a Swiss Reformed theologian whose works on worship and liturgy were introduced to the world almost a half a century ago.

His Worship: Its Theology and Practice is still one of the most important worship books in my library (though it is now sadly hard to find), mostly because it feels like his keen observations and articulations have more bearing now than when they were written back in the mid-1960s.

This quote about choirs is a classic example:

We must be very suspicious with regard to what might be called the vicarious representative of the congregational liturgy, namely the choir. The growth of this institution took place from the fifth century, both because the liturgy of the congregation was becoming ever more complex, and also because the faithful became increasingly reluctant to commit themselves to liturgical life.

We must basically agree with H. Asmussen when he writes: “A choir as the substitute for the congregation is quite unacceptable; and that not only because it can upset the normal course of the service, and certainly not because it prevents the community from admitting the mediocre quality of its singing…but chiefly because it facilitates the congregation’s surrender of its liturgical functions. If, then, we wish to have a choir, it should be given a precise duty; not that of supplanting the faithful in their characteristic ministry, but of educating them in the fulfillment of this ministry.”

Now, perhaps this doesn’t ring for you, but substitute “worship band” anywhere you see the word “choir.”

Aside from the historical observation which doesn’t fit (worship bands didn’t begin in the fifth century), there’s a pretty powerful observation packed in here. Read More

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