Singing With the Heavens: How Can Contemporary Sacred Choral Music Be Used to Meet the Liturgical Expectation of UK Charismatic Evangelicals to “Touch Heaven”

Abstract

For centuries, choirs were at the heart of the Church's worship. Yet, despite the UK Charismatic Evangelical movement favoring contemporary worship bands, a question must be asked: What liturgical role could choirs play in modern liturgy to benefit worship? The fundamental aim of this research is to establish what that role could be. By examining how Contemporary Sacred Choral Music (CSCM) could aid in the liturgical expectation of a believer to “touch heaven” in worship, this article suggests how a choir might seek to advance such an expectation. From flexible choral music in the “ministry time” to a CSCM accompaniment during the “time of worship,” specific liturgical roles are set out and examined, detailing how and why a choir would benefit Charismatic Evangelical worship.