<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]I wouldn't say its a sin for a church not to have a choir, I'm not going to venture into the territory. And, yes, I think the vicarious singing of the choir is simply one acceptable form of congregational singing.</font><hr></blockquote><p><br><br>Well, if the vicarious singing of the choir is simply one acceptable form of congregational singing, does this mean that the choir could sing every song for the congregation, and yet, those who are not part of the choir would still be faithful to the command to sing? For instance, for those who believe that singing with musical accompaniment is a circumstance of singing, they could decide to sing a song with or without musical accompaniment, and they could do it one particular way all of the time without undermining the act of worship. However, can the same thing be said of the choir? Can we choose this "one acceptable method" everytime and still be faithful to the command? I don't see how that can be, and I think this point brings out what we understand intuitively, namely, that only part of the congregation is singing and the rest are watching and listening to them worship.<br><br>By the way, for what it's worth, I actually don't object to "a choir" per se, but what I do think is objectionable is the manner in which 99% of them operate, which is to perform for the congregation. If the function of the choir was to assist people in singing, then I believe it could be made to work.<br><br>Sincerely in Christ,<br><br>~Jason<br><br>