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March 2005 Table of Contents
Your Voice For God
Where’s The Battle? Your Voice Or Your Spirit?
By Chris Beatty
 As a music minister you may or may not also be a soloist. You are, however, a "vocalist" as you speak for the Lord. You are also the one who guides those who are the principle singers in your worship, whether soloists or members of the choir or worship team. So, for everyone in your music program, here's the a question: Are you in a battle with your voice?
Do your heart, and mind, hear things in a song that don't seem to come out of your mouth when you sing? Do you get frustrated when you hear a recording of your singing and it doesn't sound at all like you thought it would?
If your answer to any of these questions is yes, you are not alone. To some degree these challenges haunt even many successful singers. But, it's one thing to know that something isn't working and quite another to identify and conquer issues.
As we look at the most common reasons for not sounding your vocal best, we have to look at two areas: The mechanical, acoustical vocal issues and the spiritual issues. We'll start with the spiritual, since they can be even more complex to deal with, and are often less obvious . . . at least to us.
The Spiritual Side Of Things
Anything that keeps us from a vital, living and growing relationship with the Lord is a serious issue for anyone wanting to change lives. One area of potential problem for many of us is self-exaltation. That's right, I said self-exaltation. This battle between being self-serving, and God-serving, has been with man since the beginning of time, and not one of us is immune from it, ever, especially, if we ever take to the stage, microphone in hand.
The first example of man wanting to increase in power, at the expense of relationship with God, is found in the account of man's first temptation in Genesis 3:1-6. Satan was the ultimate salesman. "Hey, babe, want to be a star?" He quickly had the woman convinced that the attractive looking fruit would taste really good. Next she was told that it would make her all-knowing and powerful. Sounds like an agent trying to sign someone up, but in reality it was darkness tempting humanity. And it still is.
Of course, he doesn't mention that this comes at the expense of our relationship with the living God as well a pure ministry. Fame, fortune and power can easily replace humility, Godly economics and a servant heart. All we have to do is let God's position in our life decrease, and Satan's increase. That possibility is always knocking at our door which is why we must continue to actively seek Him first in prayer, study and the right kind of fellowship. (Acts 2:42)
Now, you need to know that I'm a realist about this issue of being self-serving rather than God-serving. I understand that all of us, from the minute we were born, have been trying to meet out own needs. Self-gratification, whether by eating too much food or believing everything good others say about you, is dangerous. Learning to love Him with all our heart, soul and mind is not an easy task for humans.
Fortunately we only have to go to Luke 4:2-12 to see just how we are to handle the offer of great power, wealth and success by other than God's hand. When Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness He had a response to each situation. First, He said, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'" The next time His reply was, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"
You don't have to go to Bible School or seminary to qualify for using these same words. But, you just need to spend regular, quality time reading, studying and listening to the One who made you. That process will tear down the walls of self-exaltation, smooth out some of the ego speed bumps, and change what is now just potential, into fruit.
Is that all there is to it? Just read the Bible and study? No, but it's an important part. And when it's added to balanced teaching and fellowship you're on a winning path. Otherwise you will be what 2 Timothy 3:1-2 calls a lover of self. And the sooner you stop exalting yourself, and spending more time examining yourself, the sooner you will start shedding the old and putting on the new.
Right about now you may be asking, "How do I follow my God-given dream without worrying about getting in the way and taking too much of the credit?" By asking Him who knows you to purge your heart and keep you clean. As you examine your motives (Matthew 23:12; I Corinthians 11:31) any adjustments you need to make will become obvious. And don't worry about getting "too good." Mastering your skills and getting deeper and deeper in relationship with your Lord and King will only make you more effective in what you are trying to do.
In the same way, if you are disciplined in your eating and exercise and try to look like nice it may help you communicate the message. If, on the other hand, you worship your body and wardrobe it will get in the way. And, if you abuse food, don't exercise and could care less about what you look like it can also get in the way.
Remember: Those who listen to His voice, through the study of scripture as well as being quiet before Him, will see consistent fruit. Those who try and make it on their own, won't.
The Mechanical Side Of Things
Then there's the mechanical side, because we need both inspiration and preparation to get the job done. After all we are body, soul and spirit and the "voice" is a physical, mechanical, acoustical mechanism. Also physical are the expressions and gestures we use in public ministry. To this end using a video camera to record what you are REALLY DOING, versus what you THINK you are doing, is all-powerful. It's neutral. It can also be upsetting, but where else can you get such objective feedback?
As you see areas that can be self-corrected, like inappropriate (or completely lacking) expressing and gestures, do something about it. Become an observant student of those who do it well and incorporate meaningful changes into your presentation.
Areas that you can't self-correct, such as vocal quality, lack of breath control, straining and cracking on higher notes and unclear words may need outside input. You can start asking around for a local voice teacher and/or coach with good reputation. Local colleges can be a good source. You can also take advantage of interactive, self training tools like the ones we offer at www.vocalcoach.com . We have spent nearly 30 years developing 30 user-friendly tools for today's singers. But, no matter what you do, do something. Be pro-active and be the best you can be. Inspiration, plus preparation is the key. It always works.
For Vocal Coach
Chris Beatty
Christopher Beatty–Training the Singers of Today and Tomorrow! Workshop or product information:
Vocal Coach, P.O. Box 2144, Brentwood, TN 37024.
615-331-1080 / www.vocalcoach.com
chris@vocalcoach.com
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