Most associate pastors have portfolios that include their main responsibility and various additional tasks, I am no different. Office hours are valuable and necessary. It is no secret they're used to organize and create a conducive environment for others to succeed in ministry leading us to our greatest joy, being with people. Ultimately, the calling of music minister is intended to be an influence on more than one level. Your input must go beyond back ground vocals, the sound of the drums or driving modulations. Creating a worship band that can flow and connect with a congregation is a necessary function in any church. It is not however the only function as Lin Sexton, the Director of Worship Arts at a church in Modesto, California writes in a recent article. Her specialty is drama, but her comments could just as well translate to worship teams or special singers. She comments, "At times, I've been tempted to give roles to performers with great talent, yet who I know struggle with spiritual immaturity, pride, wrong motives or jealousy. It's my duty to watch their responses when they are not put in the game. Then, it's my job to shepherd these sheep in a way that offers them a clear path to maturity, lovingly helping them identify and evict the idols of performance and pride they may have never recognized, but that can be seen through the spiritual eyes of believers. It can be done." The goal of empowering people is a humbling endeavor. This is not easy for anyone. Caring for people is an act of self sacrifice. Unpopular decisions will be made and possibly misunderstood. That's why the dimension of relationship is invaluable. This is something Jesus requires for everyones benefit. Lin Sexton continues, "It's my responsibility to disciple artists through the very act of creating art. And there is no better place to do that than within a biblical community." Amen
Tim Covert
Tags: Christian Music, Devotional, Worship
