White Rock Baptist Church
Rev. Reginald Van Stephens, pastor
3400 Fayetteville Road
Durham, NC 27707
whiterockbap@mindspring.com
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth;
make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise
Psalms 98:4 Table of contents:
Director's Message & Purpose
Ministry Schedule
Rehearsal Schedule
Choir Attire
Absence Policy
Travelling Ministry "Outdates"
Members Concerns
Business Meetings
Choir Finance & Dues
New Member Orientation Policy
Choir Member's Conduct
Officers and Elections
Section Leaders
The Ten Commandments for Choirs
Bible References
Thomas vanhook, Jr.
e-mail choirdr@bellsouth.netMay, 2000 Inspirational Voices:
I am writing to express my gratitude for your support of the White Rock Inspirational Voices. Your faithfulness, and gifts though this music ministry is invaluable. As your choir director, it has not been my mission to only to provide quality music, but my desire to be used by God as a vessel or instrument for His glory, to reach and touch as many lives through music and fellowship. Our mission is more than "the choir that provides the music", but with each opportunity, our music ministry should be life changing to those that hear us. God has given us a responsibly to minister to hundreds of people that attend our worship service, and as Praise & Worship Leaders we must acknowledge that many of those individuals are broken, distressed and perplexed by circumstances of life. We are not entertainers! Therefore, entertainment is not our goal; soul winning and healing is. As Rev. Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr. "Our business is not investigation but restoration." In addition, we should not allow ourselves to be deceived by church work, but dutiful about the work of the church. During the last few years there has been much change and transition for White Rock. I believe change comes about when there is a need to meet a circumstance or condition. Certain circumstances may be considered positive or not so positive according to the urgency of the circumstance. However, it has been proven time and time again that according to the degree of the severity of the circumstance, this would indeed dictate the degree of the change in order to confront that condition. "Equipping the Saint for the work of the ministry." Through this statement God has clearly given Pastor Stephens a divine vision. Equipping each one of us for the millennia is not solely his responsibility, but one that MUST be shared and echoed by each believer through the total ministry of the church. We must remember our work is not complete entering into a worship service, but in actuality, it begins when we depart from our church doors. Rev. Daryl Coley once said, It is when the music stops That's when I live my song
When the band goes home That's when I live my song
When we've said amen And the crowd begins to fade away
That's when I live the life
That I sing about in my song!
In God's Perfect Love,
Thomas vanhook, Jr.back to the top
Ministry Schedule: 2nd and the 4th Sunday of each month Both services, 7:45 and 10:15amMembers should be present in the choir room at 7:15 am for the 7:45 service Members should be present in the choir room at 10:00 am for the 10:15 serviceRehersal Schedule: Monday before we sing from 7 pm 9 pmSaturday before we sing from 10 am 12 noonAdditional 'call' rehearsals may occur for special events
Choir Attire: Choir robes will be worn by each member, unless there is a special occasion and the attire change has been announced.A Robe Agreement must be signed by each member Jewelry (women) A small, post, pearl earring (or no earring), necklaces should be tucked under your robe.Hosiery sheer, skin toned or blackDresses & skirt length should at or below the knee Absence Policy: Each member must maintain the highest degree of commitment. The Inspirational Voices Choir is an organization which requires maximum participation and total dedication. The following is a list of attendance guidelines that are to be followed by choir members in order to maintain active membership. Notify your section leader if you expect to be absent or late for practice or worship serviceNotify your section leader of any anticipated extended absences One month of sequential unexplained absences from rehearsals will result in your inability to sing on the Sunday after your return. You will need to talk to the director.
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Travelling Ministry, "Out Dates" The choir will accompany the pastor to other churches at his/her requestThe choir will visit a convalescent center as a community service activity 2-4 times annuallyInvitations to sing at various other church activities will be considered. Invitations should be presented in writing at least a month's prior to the event. Notices should be given to the choir president. For approval by the Director of Choirs Every effort will be made to inform members of events well in advance to allow for adequate planning.
Choir Members' Concerns: All matters concerning the Inspirational Voices Choir are to be discussed and managed at designated times. Choir business and or operation of this organization should not be discussed outside of rehersals and scheduled business meetings. Concerns should be brought to the attention of their section leader or to an officer of the choir.
Business Meetings: Officers Meetings: Meetings occur on the 4th Monday of each month at the home of an officer or at a predetermined location. All officers and section leaders should be in attendance. (Choir members are welcome to attend also.) Business Meetings: These meetings occur at the end of the first rehearsal after the officer's meeting at the end of the choir rehearsal. Discussions from the officer's meetings and another choir concerns at addressed. Called Meetings: The President or Director may call special meetings when necessary.
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Choir Finance and Dues: Dues for each choir member is $15.00 per year. It should be paid by the end of March, each year. The monies will be used to help fund activities at the church and our own activities such as cards and flowers for our member who need our support.
New Member Orientation Policy: Each new member is expected to rehearse with the choir for one month prior to official indoctrination and singing during church service. This will allow new members to become sufficiently familiar with the music and responsibilities associated with becoming a member. Choir Member's Conduct: Members should never do anything to bring reproach upon the organization or it's ministryEach member should be well mannered, gracious and attentive in every service Members should avoid talking, whispering, gum chewing, or passing notes (unless absolutely necessary)Members should always show a spirit of reverence and alertness The choir should sit and rise togetherMembers should concentrate on watching the Director and the music
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Officers: The elected officers of the choir are listed below. The term of office is 2 years or until the successor is elected. Elections occur at the business meetings in October and officers are installed in January of the ensuing year. President: Chuck Barham
Vice President: Erica Leathers King
Secretary: JoAnna R. Brodie
Assist. Secretary: Barbara Jean Thompson-Powell
Treasurer: Tara Tyson
Financial Secretary: Appointment Pending
Parliamentarian :
Chaplain: Jocleen McCall
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Section Leaders: Section leaders appointed by the Director and the President. They are listed below. These individuals act as liaisons to disseminate pertinent information. They also organize celebrations and recognition's for members in their section. Soprano: Sona Broadnax
Alto: Michelle Rouse
Tenor : Allen McCullough
Bass : James King
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The Ten Commandments For Choirs Thou shalt have no other leader before thy choir leader. One choir leader is enough
Thou shalt remember why you sing; not for praise of self by preacher, choir leader, or fellow choir members. But for the praise to God
Remember thy patience to keep it Holy, happy, and ever present, for of impatience is born dissention, a choir that cannot sing to the glory of God
Thou shalt honor thy fellow choir members, that days may be long together in harmony and gladness, for sly remarks, sly looks, and stupidity have no place in the sanctuary of the Lord.
Thy shalt be present and in regular attendance unless providentially detained, for poor attendance doth kill the best choirs
Thy shalt open thy mouth to sing to God and not to fuss at men
Thou shalt not convet thy neighbors' fine voice but rather sing to the best of thy ability with the voice that thou dost havevThou shalt not complain about thou neighbors' voice but rather work at maximum control of thine own
Thou shalt not bear false witness in the form of gossip, but rather good witness to thy father in the form of truth
Thy shalt sing with a smile on thy face, glow in thy soul, a prayer on thy lips, a thanksgiving in thy heart, for the privilege to serve.
_Neil Wyrick, Jr. A good way to praise God is through music. It's in the Bible: "Let all the joys of the godly well up in praise to the Lord, for it is right to praise Him. Play joyous melodies of praise upon the lyre and on the harp. Compose new songs of praise to Him, accompanied skillfully on the harp; sing joyfully."Psalm 33:1-3, TLB. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Psalms 100:2 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Psalms 98:6 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Psalms 95:1 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16
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