Unlike the voices in choirs, the solo voice is a very exposed voice. So for a pastor's solo singing to enhance rather than distract from worship, he will need not only to have a sufficiently pleasing voice and sufficient musical skill. It will also be highly advantageous for him to take sufficient time Sunday morning to warm up his voice well. Yet the pastors I've known have tended to be quite preoccupied before services — and rightly so — with several other aspects of worship preparation as well as the greeting of members and visitors. And vocal warmups become increasingly important with age.

When I hear a pastor sing solo who does not sing well for whatever reason, it becomes a thing to be tolerated. Beyond that, I might wonder whether anyone in the congregation has had the courage to give him feedback or whether he has rejected the feedback given. And then my mind is no longer fully attentive to the things of God.

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them" (Romans 12:6 ESV). I would imagine that, much like the population at large, a few seminarians and pastors will have a lot of natural musical talent, some will have musical talent that might be developed with a little coaching, and others might be more fruitful in ministry, better stewards of their time, and find greater joy by simply focusing on the development and use of gifts they have that are most evident.

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit" (John 15:8 ESV).