A Choir Circular From 1988: How Pastor Bada Set the Tone for Celestial Worship in Song

Celestial Prerogative News recently shared a historical document that choir members will find fascinating: a circular dated 25 November 1988, issued from the International Headquarters in Ketu, Lagos, by the late Reverend A.A. Bada, then Pastor and Supreme Head of the church. It went to Senior Evangelists and Shepherds-in-Charge after a meeting with the executives of the Central Choir.

According to the report, the circular covers how a choir is led and how it behaves in worship. Some of the points it describes:

- The organist (the Ogonimass) is named head of the choir, helped by the choirmaster and other officers.
- Choristers enter and leave in an orderly line, face the Altar and bow, with hands clasped.
- Hymns 1, 2 and 3 (Jerimoh Yamah, Yarah Sarah, Yah Rah Mah) and O Kristi Oba Mi are to be sung without drumming or vocal embellishment.
- Thanksgiving may have one, three or seven songs, always closing with Hymn 384, "E Ja Ka Fope Fun Baba".
- Drumming and instruments are allowed at harvests, weddings, naming ceremonies and New Year services.

The report presents it as a historical record of what was asked of parishes at that time, not a new rule. We share it as heritage, so please read it that way.

Over to you:
- Do your parish choir practices still follow the order of procession and the hymn customs described here?
- Which Celestial hymn or choir memory from your parish would you like the next generation to keep?

Sources: Celestial Prerogative News (celestialprerogativenews.com), "Historical Document: Late Pastor A.A. Bada's 1988 Circular on CCC Choir Regulations", 27 October 2026.
Photo: Celestial Prerogative News (portrait of Rev. A.A. Bada)