5 Salient points in Music Ministry
5 Salient points in Music Ministry.
1 Peter 2:5 - You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
The music ministry is a very important aspect of God's kingdom and must be handled with high sense of commitment not just in skills but in realising that it is a spiritual ministry.
In our world today when it comes to something as profound as music ministry, we most times value efficiency and precision over mystery and ministry. Here are some thoughts on keeping the “ministry” in music ministry. These priorities will help you put first things first and better enjoy your calling as a music minister.
Never forget that God is our audience.
Isaiah 43:21 - This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.
I have long been struck by the metaphor used by the great 19th century Danish philosopher and theologian Soren Kierkegaard to describe the nature of worship. He wrote that all worship is meant to be a drama. The clergy and ministers are the conductors, the congregants are the actors, and God… God is the audience.
Most gospel music ministers believes or do think that the people are their audience. We must consciously erase such believes or redirect it to the right understanding. We must constantly redirect ourselves from an entertainment model where the singers and musicians are on stage to impress and entertain the audience in the seats. As gospel music ministers our audience is one invisible and immortal creator of all things.
As music ministers we are called to lead the congregation in offering their collective praise in worship to an Audience of One, Jehovah God Almighty.
Our worship is only effective and acceptable to the extent we respond
Only untill we understand this will we praise and worship God indeed and not just another show and crowed entertainment.
Let the Lord direct you always.
Proverbs 3:5-6. - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
If the Lord is not involved all your efforts will be another physical exercise and showmanship.
The Lord knows what He wants, H e knows the people you will be leading into His presence, He knows the mode and challenge of everyone so only Him can reveal the right songs that will igniote the atmosphere with His spirit.
One mistake we do make is finishing the job before asking God to bless it but God actually wants to direct you on the job and tell you what to do and what not to do so that you can have good success. Do not “forget” that God knows what will ultimately please him better than we do. In spite of what you plan, the Lord is more concerned with the depth of your obedience than the magnitude of your offering.
You should always begin by seeking God in prayer, When we begin worship planning and rehearsals by asking Him to lead—and then following His promptings—the results will far exceed our human abilities.
Practice reverence for the holy.
Proverbs 1:7. - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
1 Corinthians 3:16 - Do you not know that you are
God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
As a gospel music minister (Worship Leader), you must understand that you are relating with a holy God and our instruments of worship must be sanctified and holy both human, electronical and mechanical instruments. You must not see your music ministry as ordinary or a department you can just walk in and out doing whatever you like with no consciousness of God.
You’re no doubt acquainted with the biblical story of Uzzah being struck dead because he touched the Ark of the Covenant as David and his army brought it back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). Instead of abiding by God’s instruction for the priests to bear the Ark on their shoulders on poles, David placed the Ark on a cart drawn by oxen in the care of people who weren’t qualified for the job. He played fast and loose with holy things because he wanted to get the Ark home for a massive worship celebration.
Your body is the most important tool of worship so you must reverence your body by abstaining from anything that could hinder the spirit of God in you.
There is an irreverent danger in becoming “too familiar” with the things of God. In contrast, when we practice reverence for the holy privilege of leading worship, we keep ourselves from the dire consequences of spiritual pride.
Value people over performance.
Philipians 2:1-5. - Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, - then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, - not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. - In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
You must understand clearly that as ministers of ther gospel we are servants of God but we serve the people of God. People are to be loved; things are to be used. We fail as leaders when we use people and love things. Yes, people have talents, gifts, and roles. But people are not just their talents, gifts, and roles. Rather, they are priceless individuals created in the holy image of God, broken by the Fall, and redeemed by the blood of Christ.
Whether we are full-time, part-time, or volunteer leaders, we must constantly remind ourselves that our ministry is not music but people. Music is simply a means to worship God and serve His children. We must resist the temptation to idolize music or even ministry. Instead, we can measure our effectiveness in relational terms and not just in terms of services conceived and completed.
Do not allow fame or money make you master over the people or make you an idol to the people. you must consciously watch it so that God's blessing wont cause you to sin against God by devaluing His people.
Rejoice in the privilege of service.
Romans 12:11 - 12. - Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Philippians 4:4 (AMP) - Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!
It is a great priviledge to lead people in worship to God almighty. When you sing and the people rejoices in God's presence you give God shelter of Joy and gladness, God inhabits the praise of His children, Hallelujah! yes, you move God to bless His people.
God gave us music as the language of the spirit. When we write, play, and sing, we partake in His nature as Divine Creator. Whether or not the world knows it, music is sacramental. It helps us to see beyond ourselves and share our hopes and dreams with one another. Music’s highest calling, however, is to bring praise to God from whom all blessings flow.
When I am tired or anxious or frustrated—or when I am especially self-centered or proud—I forget that being musical is a holy privilege. Ordinarily, it’s an amazing thing to pluck a string or sing a note. How much more to do so in the service of our Lord! So let’s remind ourselves what a profound joy it is.
