Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Music Ministry

Last week I had an opportunity to speak with a wonderful group of individuals. Each person will eventually receive ministerial credentials. And most of them will have the honor of leading God's people in music ministry. We began with the minister's personal relationship with God and continued covering specifics about music practicalities. Their curiosity was very familiar. I remember giving my life to God's service standing on that same precipice wondering, "What will ministry be like?" and, "Am I up to this challenge"? My first official position was in youth ministry. Soon after I was hired I was given advice by my Senior Pastor during a staff meeting that has stood the test of time. He stressed, any associate pastor is a minister (servant of the people) first and specialist second. Only after stepping into ministry does the reality of the statement hit home. Another way of saying this is, music is a seperate issue from ministry. Education is a separate issue from ministry and right on down the list. Before you scream sacrilege, understand what I'm saying. As far as music is concerned, modulations, key signatures and song selections are incredibly important. But there is also a long list of ministry issues concerning organization, how the congregation will be treated, etc. that cannot be ignored. Guided by the Senior Pastor's philosophy of ministry, music is married with ministry to support worship in the local church. Education is married with ministry to build the saints, and so on. Understanding music with little concern for true ministry is an invitation to disaster. And likewise, so is ministry that has little concern for music as it relates to worship. The Senior Pastor's philosophy of ministry is an incredibly valuable and necessary guide in the process of joining these two elements into something that facilitates worship in the local church. A Minister of Music is first a minister (servant) and then a specialist. And those truly called of God will work on understanding both.
May God bless your understanding and your efforts.

Tim Covert

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