‘Something for everyone’ in convention music

Like a skilled guide who knew well his territory — praising the Lord — Bill Carr, minister of music at First Baptist Church, Bay Minette, weaved so seamlessly from hymnal-holding to hand-raising music that despite their preference, most in the room seemed to be unaware of which they were doing.
   
Nor did they seem to mind.
   
Despite moving from “Praise Him” into “I Sing Praises” and “His Name is Wonderful” into “Glorious is Thy Name,” the only conspicuous characteristic of the song segments was that messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting were all doing the same thing — worshiping Christ.
   
The spirit of unity was pervasive in the melodies, as well as the meetings, though musically there was something for every taste. And that’s just what Ray Burdeshaw, director of the office of worship leadership and church music for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, intended.
   
Selections ranged from traditional hymns sung by the congregation to contemporary praise and worship songs sung by an energetic praise team backed by a band. 
   
Southern gospel quartets and harmonic ladies’ ensembles were also part of the mix.
   
“I wanted a blend of many different styles because of the diversity in our convention,” Burdeshaw said.
   
To achieve a successful combination of old and new, he consulted with others involved in convention leadership across the state.
   
“I try to talk to some of the pastors and some of the convention speakers to get suggestions,” Burdeshaw said.
   
He also involved the music ministry of the host church Hunter Street Baptist, Hoover, with the worship team presenting pre-session and special music during the Tuesday afternoon session. 
   
With the help of its orchestra, the sounds of singing, strings and saxophone filled the sanctuary.
   
And that evening was no different — except add a few more dozen voices.
   
Highlighting the Tuesday evening service were pre-session and midsession presentations by the Alabama Singing Men and the Alabama Singing Women. 
   
According to Burdeshaw, the men’s group has been in existence since 1973 and is composed of ministers of music from around the state and other male singers recommended by local churches. 
   
The women’s group, composed of church staff members and selected members of various church choirs, is now in its third year.
   
Other musical groups making appearances at the convention on Tuesday were 4 By Grace, a men’s quartet that presented music for the morning session; Track 7, a men’s quartet that performed during the memorial service; and the Bay Minette First Ladies Ensemble. Wednesday’s music featured Charis, a ladies’ ensemble also from Bay Minette, with additional special music by John Baldwin, minister of music at First Baptist Church, Fairhope.
   
Carr, along with Baldwin and Scott Allred, minister of magnification at Hunter Street, led the congregational singing.
   
Carr said the music portions of the service “help us keep our focus on the fact that we are there in honor and praise of the Lord. Though we have to have business, worshiping God is our business, too, and we need to keep our focus on worship.” (TAB)