My wife and I are regular viewers of the BBC Songs of Praise programme, and I am frequently bemused by the “antics” of the conductor. Some use a baton, others rely on their hands, but often the conducting doesn’t seem relevant to the timing. There is such a variety of actions that I wonder how the congregation knows what they are supposed to do – or when. Presumably, the rehearsal times may avoid any confusion for the participants.
I was given a helpful hint many years ago when I was privileged to attend a James Last concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. During the concert, he never used a baton, just a simple, gentle waving of his lands. Frequently he would turn his back on the orchestra and continue his hand movements while facing the audience. This led me to understand that it wasn’t so much what he was doing in the concert, but what had happened during the rehearsals. This is exemplified if you watch Andre Rieu in concert. I often watch a video of a Belfast church congregation where even the clapping is in time!
In most of the church services I have attended, there has not been a conductor and because we may have learned hymns and songs in a slightly different way, there are occasional differences, leading visitors to start a verse or line too soon!
The Lord Jesus is frequently referred to as The Good Shepherd, but have you ever considered Him as the Divine Conductor? Wouldn’t it be lovely if throughout the world, all Christians acted from the “same song sheet” and in tune with each other because we are all following the same score (Bible) and led by our Lord with the help of the Holy Spirit?
John 17 verses 20 and 21 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you”.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we seek your help that we may all know the reality of being united with each other because we are united with you. AMEN