FAQs
1. What is the Vision of the Toronto Mass Choir?
“To create and perform Gospel music that will draw people into the awesome presence of God”. The choir is committed to maintaining an evangelically based membership comprised of people with a strong commitment to Jesus Christ, His Word and His Ministry, taking the Gospel across Canada and the nations of the world extending our reach by personal appearances, education, recordings and through other current and future technologies.
2. Does the Choir have a Statement of Faith?
Yes, TMC’s Statement of Faith is as follows:
a. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God.
b. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT.
c. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Virgin Birth, His Sinless Life, His Miracles, His Vicarious and His Atoning Death through His Shed Blood, His Bodily Resurrection, His Ascension to the Right Hand of the Father, and His Personal Return in Power and Glory.
d. We believe for the salvation of lost and sinful men. Regeneration by the HOLY SPIRIT is absolutely essential for salvation.
e. We believe that the Spirit of God dwells within all believers and He in His wise counsel bestows the Gifts of the Spirit upon individuals to enable them to properly fulfill their function as members of the body of Christ.
3. What is the process for becoming a new member?
a. Initial introductory interview
b. Completion of Toronto Mass Choir’s official application form
c. An opportunity to to sing in a choir rehearsal
d. Successful vocal/musical audition and a personal interview by Director and/or by Membership Panel
e. A pastoral reference letter
f. A probation period of not more than 3 months, such period ending at the discretion of the Director and during which the prospective member may attend all rehearsals and other activities of the choir, but may not appear in choir performances.
4. Do all the members of TMC attend the same church?
No. The Toronto Mass Choir is a multi-denominational choir with members from many different evangelical Christian denominations.
5. Where does the Toronto Mass Choir perform?
The Toronto Mass Choir has a busy touring schedule which is has been primarily in Ontario, Quebec, Eastern States and on a limited basis Western Canada and the Caribbean. The choir has also travelled to 8 different countries including Italy, Romania, England and Poland. Schedules of these ministry opportunities including rehearsals are given out about 3-4 months in advance so members are able to plan their lives around them. The majority of this choir’s engagements include church services and large-scale events and the rest include appearances at ticketed concerts, high schools, banquets, television and radio appearances and other special events such as jazz festivals and benefit concerts.
6. How often does TMC perform and rehearse?
The choir rehearses on average about twice a month on a Friday evening and sings out on average 2-3 times a month for a total of about 20-25 engagements a year. The choir travels by bus to engagements more than an hour away at no cost to themselves except incidental expenses such as a meal en route. Members are expected to secure their own transportation for engagements in and around the GTA.
7. How does the choir maintain its busy schedule?
It is important for the well-being of the choir that members remain accountable to their families and churches all the while recognizing that our touring schedule often takes place on the weekends including some Sunday mornings. It is important to the spiritual life of the choir that members are being ‘fed’ on a regular basis so that they have the power and strength to minister the Word and so a strong personal devotional life is extremely important. It is also important that members are spiritually accountable to their local church so that this choir does not become a substitute for their own supporting body of believers.
8. What are the expectations of choir members?
The members of the Toronto Mass Choir are expected:
a. To maintain their walk with the Lord and view ministry as a lifestyle and as such are willing to be spiritually accountable to their local church body and to the choir so as to be effective ministers.
b. To be in affiliation with a Bible-believing church who recognizes the choir as an extension of their local church ministry and also are expected to surround themselves with supportive family and church members who will uphold them in prayer and financial support.
c. To be realistic in their ability to make the Toronto Mass Choir a primary ministry in their life and to balance church and family commitments so they are able to meet the choir’s rehearsals and ministry opportunities. It is imperative that if a choir member is married that their spouse visibly and fully supports their membership in TMC.
d. To participate in TMC’s fund-raising initiatives. The choir is a not-for-profit charitable organization and our support comes primarily from engagements, CD Sales, donations and fundraising. As well, when the choir travels on mission trips, each member is required to raise their own support.
e. To join a private email group and receive weekly email notifications sent out on Wednesdays and prior to each engagement and rehearsal. In the weekly notifications, the upcoming week’s engagements are outlined and all members are responsible for checking their email regularly to obtain all travel and wardrobe information.
f. To conduct themselves daily as any minister of the gospel should, being careful not to be a stumbling block in their daily witness and to represent the Toronto Mass Choir in Christ-like ways including their social pursuits, lifestyle choices and personal choices. Choir members are reminded that the ministry to each other is as important as to the greater community. The choir’s spiritual life includes prayer partners, retreats and corporate devotions.