聖歌合唱指揮法 Basic Choral Conducting

前言

教會組織中的各項職務，有宗教教育，青年事工，探訪部，佈道部，音樂部等。其中育樂部門直接或間接地連繫著其他各部門，促進傳福音的使命。教會的聖樂活動當然以聖歌團為主體，設有聖歌團的教會意味著教會當局對聖樂的重視。聖歌團的活動不但可以提高音樂水準，還帶給參加的青年人益處不少。今舉出幾項如下; 發揮青年人唱歌才幹及志趣，提供藉歌唱事主的機會。學習群團生活，也就是信徒的幽契。靈命得栽培，復腿，信仰基礎受建立。團員可能成為將來教會基本中堅力量。有的籍聖樂活動而奉獻成為主的工人。不少青年男女在聖歌團相遇，因志同道合，結成夫婦。在主日崇拜會，通常一小時半時間裏，音樂估有30分鐘: 包括會眾唱詩一至四首，及聖歌團的進堂歌(Intr oit)，頌讚歌(Anthem)，響應頌 (R e s p o n s e )，奉獻頌 (O f f e r t o r y )，及司琴在會前的靜樂 (P r e l u d e )，會中的樂段 (Interlude)，會終的散會曲 (Postlude)等等。這半小時音樂的配合，與牧師的講道有密切開係:特別是儀式的前半部如會眾唱詩，牧師領禱，及讀經等，乃為預備人心以接受神的信息。講道後，還有唱詩作為響應然後結束崇拜會;音樂在這方面就成為質串整個崇拜會的媒介，使聚會充滿肠靈的氣氛。除祟拜會外，教會其他活動如青年嘲契，兄弟團契，婦女團契，佈道團喇，播音工作，或特別聚會等，都需要借助於聖樂。

INTRODUCTION

In every church organization, we find different areas of ministry, including Christian education, youth ministry, visitation, missions, and music. Among these, the music ministry has a special role in bringing the different ministries together toward one common purpose—the proclamation of the Gospel.

The choir is an important part of the church’s music ministry. A church with an active choir demonstrates that music has a meaningful place in its worship and ministry. The choir also carries the responsibility of helping to develop and maintain the musical standard of the church.

Through participation in the choir, members are given many valuable opportunities. It:

⁠Develops their musical talents and provides many opportunities to serve the Lord through music.
⁠Enriches their experience of Christian fellowship.
⁠Encourages spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of their faith.
⁠Helps prepare and develop future church leaders.
⁠Encourages some members to consider dedicating their lives to full-time Christian service.
⁠Provides a place where young men and women can build friendships and meaningful Christian relationships, some of which may eventually lead to marriage.

In an average one-and-a-half-hour Sunday worship service, approximately thirty minutes may be devoted to music. This can include three or four congregational hymns, the Introit, Anthem, Response, Offertory, Prelude, Interludes, and Postlude.

These musical elements are not separate from the worship or the preaching of God’s Word. When thoughtfully chosen, they are closely connected with the minister’s message, helping to create an atmosphere of reverence and worship and preparing the hearts of the congregation to receive the Word of God.

In this way, church music is much more than an addition to the service. It becomes an important part of the church’s ministry—supporting worship, strengthening fellowship, proclaiming the Gospel, and helping God’s Word take root in the hearts of His people.