There is a special choir in Church H. Most of its members are over 60 years old, and some of them are even 80 years old. Many of them can not read, understand melody, or even read staff. However, in every gathering, they use the most simple hymns and rhythms to convey the love and persistence of faith. This choir, known as the Third Choir, is not only an important part of the worship of Church H, but also the backbone of the church's pastoral ministry. "The elderly are the foundation of the church, and many of the church's services are supported by them," said Pastor Huang of Church H.
The Unique Charm of the Elderly Choir
The members of the Third Choir are mostly elderly. They have little musical background, and many can't even read. But this has not been a barrier to their participation in worship. Pastor Huang has tailored a set of worship styles for them: short hymns with lyrics are mostly based on the wors of the Bible, accompanied by some simple movements. The senior people don't need to read the lyrics, nor read the music. They just need Pastor Huang to sing it a few times, and they will soon remember the words and movements. Then they will sing the hymns to God in the monthly worship.
"Every time the Third Choir sang on stage, the congregation is very moved." Pastor Huang said that this kind of touching moment comes not only from their singing, but also from their persistence in faith and selfless dedication to the church. Their worship may not be skillful, but it is full of sincerity and passion, which are the most valuable qualities in church worship.
The "Foundation" of the Congregation
In Church H, the elderly are not only members of the choir, but also the backbone of church services. Pastor Huang mentioned that many of the church's activities involve the elderly, such as morning prayers, kitchen services, cleaning groups, receptions, etc., and they can be seen in almost every corner.
The pastor stressed that the church should not abandon the elderly or neglect their pastoral care. She believes that the elderly are not only the "foundation" of the church, but also the "blessing" of the church. Their experience and wisdom are a valuable asset to the Church, while their persistence and dedication serve as an example to younger generations of believers.
Pastoral Significance of Pastoring the Elderly Choir
The Third Choir exists not only to give senior people the opportunity to participate in worship, but also to find a sense of belonging and worth in the church. Many senior people feel lonely and lost after retirement, and the choir provides a platform for them to continue to shine.
"The elderly can learn these short hymns very quickly, and they can remember them," Pastor Huang said. This learning process not only exercises their memory, but also enhances their self-confidence. Every time they come on stage to sing, it is a declaration of their faith and a dedication to the church.
There are three choirs in Church H, and only the Third Choir has no threshold and the largest number of members. Although they only get to sing once a month, Pastor Huang teaches them a new short hymn every week. They have mastered many hymns. Moreover, Pastor Huang would record short hymns into videos for them to learn and memorize over and over again.
With a rapidly ageing society, the number of elderly people in the church is also gradually increasing. How to better pastor this group has become a challenge for many churches. The Third Choir in Church H provides a good example, that is, through simple hymns and movements, the elderly can easily participate in worship, so that they can feel valued through daily service.
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Nicolas Cao
