Becoming a Church Piper

A friend of mine, a fellow member of The International Fellowship of Christian Pipers and Drummers asked me if I would explain how I became The Church Piper, for the benefit of pipers who would love to participate in their own church worship services. He himself is a pastor/piper and occasionally plays his pipes for call to worship.

It is best to start by explaining what it is to be a church piper. Afterwards, in a short series, I will tell how I became a church piper, to be called upon regularly to lead our congregation in worship, and to play for weddings and funerals.

Because a piper can play a few tunes on the pipes, it is not a sufficient credential to accept an invitation to play in church on a Sunday morning or for a church related ceremony such as a wedding or a memorial service. To my dismay and embarrassment, I heard a piper play “Scotland the Brave”and “Oh! Rowan Tree” for a wedding ceremony and they were played quite poorly. Afterwards, when asked about his choice of tunes, his reasoning was that the pieces he played didn’t matter, because people wouldn’t know the difference anyway. Besides, he said, it is the sound of the pipes that they want to hear and not specific selections. How wrong and poorly advised he was. In contrast, the instructions I received from my piping teachers were to consider always, that there is bound to be someone in the audience who definitely knows what should be played and how the pipes should sound.

That brings us to the most salient point of all, which is to consider the church piper’s character. When invited to play for a morning worship service for example, it is not so people will hear the majestic sound of the bagpipes. It is to have the piper lead them in praise of God by playing a carefully selected hymn or medley of hymns in which individuals can “hear the words.” People will praise God from their hearts, while the piper leads them in their worship, not attracting attention to himself or herself, but to God, the object of their worship. The music has to be so recognizable that one can distinguish the words, while the tuning and timing must be impeccable. Nothing less than perfection can be offered to God. Music half-practiced, played on a poorly tuned instrument is not sufficient. One has to be a disciplined musician able to recognize the sacred nature of a church worship service.

Because playing for a worship service is to bring honor to God, the person leading the service must have freedom of conscience, knowing there’s nothing in his or her character that would impede delivery of the musical offering to the Creator of the world, and the Saviour of mankind. It is a huge responsibility to bring a congregation in praise before God. Certainly, one needs to have taken time to pray that God would forgive him or her for whatever could cause a separation from God. In short, the church piper must have recognized that there were things in his or her life that at some time, were displeasing to God and must be forgiven so the offering of music will be unhindered and sincere.

In short, the church piper must know Jesus our Lord personally, recognizing that it was for the purpose of paying to God the debt owed for the piper’s sinfulness, that Jesus gave His life, and that His sacrifice has to be accepted as one’s own personal payment to God. The Scripture has to be meaningful to a church piper. It says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The piper must live by this promise. Then, it is possible to come boldly before God, and He will listen to praise and requests whether verbal or musical. Otherwise, any piper, expert as he or she may be, who does not know Jesus in this personal way, cannot expect God to listen. He just will not hear. This is an extremely important part of becoming a church piper.

This is sufficient to start us thinking on the subject. Subsequent blogs will suggest the right music for specific occasions and the church piper’s role in the church. Personal experiences that helped to mould The Church Piper will be included. Discussion is welcomed.

Keith MacDonald, OD
The Church Piper

Dedicaton of a Celtic Cross

Recently, a piper was heard playing "Be Thou My Vision" for a wedding. I have fond memories of the time when I was asked to play it, but not for a wedding.

This was in Winnipeg, in the early spring and I was home alone on a Saturday morning when the phone rang. The caller asked, "Are you Dr. MacDonald, the piper, and can you play, "Be Thou My Vision?" He seemed quite anxious because he asked all this in one sentence.

I responded, saying, Yes, I am, and yes, of course I can play, "Be Thou My Vision." With that, the person exclaimed, "Well thank God for that!" Naturally, I thought this must be serious business when he was already thanking God that he had located the person he intended to find, and that he could play the hymn requested.

Indeed, this call was unusual, so I asked, "Who is speaking, and why do you want to know if I can play, “Be Thou My Vision?" He was more relaxed after that, and responded, saying, "I am the pastor of First Presbyterian Church by Vimy Park. We plan to dedicate a Celtic cross in the churchyard in June. The program is already printed and it states that the piper will be playing, "Be Thou My Vision" for the congregation to sing. I've asked the Cameron Highlanders whose home this church is, if one of them would play the hymn and no one could. The Pipe-Major suggested your name and that's why I'm phoning. Would you accept our invitation to play for the dedication ceremony?

I graciously accepted his kind invitation and he asked, “May I come up to your place right away and determine how well people might be able to sing to the pipes?" I answered that it would be quite satisfactory if he would come right now and he agreed that he would.

Immediately, I got my pipes as well as a hymnbook from the basement where I usually practiced my pipes. I tuned my pipes so they'd be ready when he came and very soon his knock came on the door. After making ourselves acquainted, the pastor stood in the middle of the living room with the hymnbook in his hands singing, "Be Thou My Vision,” to the skirl of the pipes. We both sensed accomplishment. After the first verse, he nodded, saying, "I'm sure it will work."

The pastor asked me not only to play for the dedication which would be after the service, but also before church began, with every hymn I knew that contained the word "cross."

When the morning came to play, it was still a little cool outside and I played many hymns that contained the word, “cross,” such as “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross,” and “Beneath The Cross Of Jesus.” After the service, I led the whole congregation outside to the cross. I don’t remember what hymn I played but everyone arranged themselves around the cross. When the time came to sing, I played the first verse of “Be Thou My Vision” solo, then continued to play the five verses with congregational singing, ending with the solo. Seven times in all, and everyone considered this to be a very sacred occasion.

Meanwhile, the Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band was standing at attention listening to the dedication. They had returned from having piped for a church parade. None from the band asked for the music, which I think was a bit disappointing, but then, they are not inclined to play hymns on the bagpipes. We certainly are, especially on an occasion such as this. Much planning had been given to dedicating the cross simulating the one on which our Saviour died. I thought you'd be interested in hearing the story.

Another hymn I arranged that was played, this time for a funeral, was "I'd Rather Have Jesus Than Anything." When I heard and saw it on the video I felt that piper had appreciated my arrangement because he was playing something other than "Amazing Grace," which is too often played when other beautiful hymns could be played instead.

It was fun to tell the story of the phone call on a Saturday morning and add the second short story.

Beyond Coincidence

For exercise, my wife and I like to walk in the neighborhood along numerous pathways and through local forests. We live close to the border of the United States, so we decided to check the scenery in Washington State, just south of British Columbia. Friends told us about an interesting walk near Bellingham. On a Monday morning, we set off to discover the walk and brought a picnic lunch to enjoy after our hike.

Finding the parking lot and the pathway, we followed it down to a stream and then up onto a street. An arrow on a post pointed in opposite directions and we were undecided which way to go. We asked a tall gentleman who came along, and he volunteered to direct us. He told us he had walked on this pathway many times and that he would be pleased to show us if we cared to walk along with him. As we walked, he gave us a running commentary, showing us where there had been factories, shipping docks, a railway station, and now luxury apartments. The path took us down gullies with mountain streams, and back up onto an interesting business street. Along either side of that street were cherry trees in full blossom and far ahead, across the bay, could be seen white-capped mountains. We walked along the seashore and through a park where people were enjoying the sunny day.

Ultimately, our new friend left and continued on his way into town. He had been of considerable help to us when we wanted to become acquainted with the town’s scenery. His coming along was beyond coincidence, because we realize it’s the way God interjects Himself into our everyday activities. He lets us know of His presence if we are aware. If we are not aware, we would miss much of what He does for us that show He cares, and because we know of God’s presence, we can acknowledge His thoughtfulness.

Isaiah 46:4

A few days later, we once again experienced God’s loving presence. It was at the church youth’s garage sale. Many tables were set up, and people were sorting through abundant items. Opposite the entrance, a few people were in the library, and I was attracted there. A lady said to me as I entered, “You should have your bagpipes, to create an atmosphere of excitement.” I answered that it would be an excellent idea and I’ll check into it the next time there’s a garage sale. A man inspecting some article, looked up and asked, “Are you a piper?” “Oh yes,” was my response. “I’ve piped for events such as this.” He replied that he also was a piper and that he too, was accustomed to playing at various events. He wondered if I was attached to any pipe band in the area. When I answered that I was quite new here, and hadn’t found a pipe band yet, he produced his card and said he’d give me a call and an invitation to several bands in which he played.

I’ve been hoping and praying that God would pave the way to a pipe band and an opportunity for me to keep in practice. I’m sure God was answering my prayer. I’m especially aware of His presence, for I realize that I was in the church hall less than two minutes before meeting the only other piper in the church hall. We should always be aware of God’s helpful presence. Otherwise we would miss some wonderful experiences.