More Than Directing

“And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the Lord. . .” 1 Chronicles 6:31

Before God called my husband to preach the Word, he served in churches as the minister over the music and youth programs. The term churches often used decades ago for those positions was Music Director and Youth Director, but the men were much more than mere “directors” of the programs; they were ministers unto the Lord and the people if they were genuinely God-ordained to serve.

The Service of Song: Isn’t that a beautiful and more fitting title of serving God in a church’s choral department rather than Music Director? That person, if genuinely God-called, does so much more than direct the music and songs. The appointed minister fulfills his position in “The Service of Song” by leading the singing of songs and following the Holy Spirit’s lead in creating an atmosphere of praise to bring glory to God. But he cannot prepare a congregant’s heart, nor is he responsible for how or if they respond in worship to the Holy God worthy of all worship and praise. That’s our doing.

Church attendees ready themselves on Sunday, go to their place of worship, and find their usual place to sit, ready to sing praises (or sometimes only listen) and hear a word from the Lord. Many of them are unaware of the many hours of preparation by the ministers (whether paid or volunteers), so everything would function smoothly. These men don’t wait until the last minute to flippantly pick and choose what they want to speak or sing:

The pastor spends days researching, studying, and praying over God’s appointed message, confident that the Service of Song minister did his part in having the sound system and microphones ready. The minister of songs sets the microphones and recording devices to broadcast the services; he meets with vocalists and sometimes the musicians for practice (thank you, Mrs. Sue Nesom, for your devotion as pianist), setting the form of music and each one’s microphone for the best sound. Whether he has to find and secure equipment updates and installation, he is often the go-to person; that means many trips to oversee bringing the church up-to-date with the latest technology.

God anointed David as the “sweet psalmist of Israel” (1 Sam 23:1) to sing and pen songs and appoint men over the singing work for God’s tabernacle. Three masters of the sacred songs are named: Heman, Asaph, and Ethan. Each man served their assignments with their children (1 Chron 6:33). What is the significance of that verse? Their sons followed their devotion to serving the Lord in song.

Darryl Hoychick’s service to the Lord began with music and youth ministries, leading to preaching the Word. Our only son, Jason, followed the same path as his dad’s devotion to music, youth, and preaching the Word. Shane Longoria also follows his dad’s devoted service as a Service of Songs minister in his place of worship. Brother Roger Longoria (and Angela, working quietly in the background) do much more than you think for Texas Avenue Baptist Church to meet weekly with God on Sundays corporately.

You folks have expressed appreciation and overwhelmingly blessed your pastor and me, his wife. Let’s also express gratitude to our God-appointed Service of Songs minister, Bro Roger, and Angela, his wife, and others who quietly serve with devotion. We love and appreciate you all.