Many state Baptist churches recognize benefits of youth choirs, breathe new life into program

Music — both secular and Christian — is an important form of expression for the youth of today, and many music ministers throughout Alabama are attempting to revive youth choirs as a way for teenagers to express their faith through music.
  
“Youth in our culture are exposed to music constantly. Unfortunately most of that music is music that God hates,” said Adam Bishop, former minister of music at East Memorial Baptist Church, Prattville, in Autauga Baptist Association. 
  
Bishop, who now serves as minister of music at Buck Run Baptist Church, Frankfort, Ky., said his love of youth choirs stems from the belief that teens need to be exposed to and learn worshipful music instead. “They need someone to step up and show them what it means to sing songs of redemption, songs that are capable of teaching and admonishing one another,” he said.
  
Currently the youth choir at East Memorial Baptist is led by Chris Britton, minister to families, and has about 55 active members. The choir sings every week in the Sunday evening service. Its music ranges from pieces written specifically for youth to anthems typically sung by adult choirs to sacred choral pieces to spirituals.
  
At First Baptist Church, Huntsville, in Madison Baptist Association, about 75 teens are enrolled in youth choir, according to Music and Worship Minister Billy Orton. 
  
The choir sings in worship services about once a month. Orton said he pulls the repertoire from a wide variety of sources and music styles, including contemporary, classical, folk, pop and early (chant) music. 
  
Despite their strong programs,  Orton and Bishop said churches have lost their emphasis on youth choir in recent years. 
  
“Many churches have abandoned youth choirs because it is a struggle to engage today’s youth with something like a choir,” Bishop said. “The equation becomes ‘If it no longer entertains, then cut it out.’ And I’ll be the first to admit that a lot of youth choir music has become stale.” 
  
Those challenges, however, don’t detract from the benefits, he said.
  
Orton agreed. “There are fewer youth choirs in churches now than in the past, but the benefits of youth choirs are almost too numerous to list,” he said, citing social, musical, emotional, physical, mental and spiritual benefits that come from youth choir participation.
  
Keith Hibbs, director of the office of worship leadership and church music for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, confirmed a decline in the number of youth choirs. Yet he believes many Alabama Baptist churches are trying to re-establish student choir ministries.
  
“There is a desire among the students, as well as their choir leaders, for additional ways to express their faith and to lead in worship other than just congregational praise music,” Hibbs said. “There is a lot of value in taking a piece of music, putting practice into it and delivering to God a gift of praise that requires additional effort and sacrifice.”
  
Bishop said churches often “miss the boat” when they assume that teenagers only need to be involved in praise bands or sing contemporary music. He said youth choirs offer an opportunity to develop musical skills and often lead teenagers to musical involvement down the road, noting that he is in music ministry today because of youth choir. 
  
Seventeen-year-old Joel Cobbs, a member of Orton’s choir, believes that participating in youth choir will help him accomplish his goal of becoming a singer/songwriter. 
  
“You learn all the basics of music while you’re in there,” said Cobbs, who has spent the past six years in Alabama Baptist youth choirs. “It opens you to more experiences in music because if you are just exposed to one kind of music, that’s all you’re going to like. Youth choir adds a different atmosphere and shows you how all the styles you like work and why you like them.”
  
That opportunity to expand students’ knowledge of music and enhance their stage presence is the reason Nathan Trosper, associate pastor to youth at Forest Lake Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, in Tuscaloosa Baptist Association, requires all members of his youth praise band to participate in youth choir. 
  
Most youth choirs are involved in performances outside the church, as well as in special seasonal performances. Forest Lake Baptist’s youth choir performs at Christmas and Easter in addition to some Sunday services with the adult choir.
  
Last year, the youth choir at First, Huntsville, participated in a national festival in Washington. A couple of off-site performances in sister churches in the Huntsville area are planned this year.
  
Bishop said at East Memorial, choir events and ministry were almost always tied together. For instance, the choir has sung the national anthem at a Montgomery Biscuits baseball game and had ministry opportunities in youth detention facilities and nursing homes. 
  
“I am glad there are still churches out there that are willing to hold a comprehensive student ministry — even when it may not be easy or hip,” Bishop said.
  
For more information about youth choir ministry, call Hibbs at 1-800-264-1225, Ext. 217.