The music minister and church support. Part 1

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My friend Mike just released his new worship CD and wanted to have a free worship event. He got in touch with his pastor and told him about it and the pastor told him the church should be able to support him both financially and otherwise. Two weeks to the event he got a message that the church was not in a position to support him because they don’t have funds for such endeavors. He was left to his fate and quite devastated. The event still held.

This may be a familiar experience or scenario to what somebody or you may have gone through. It seems, the support the music minister needs is not readily available from the church coupled with the fact, that’s where his primary place of assignment is.

 What would have been the appropriate response the church should have offered? Are churches turning away from lending a helping hand to their music ministers?

The music ministry is a calling that is part of the great commission and not just a time in a worship service where songs of adoration to God are sung.

The church has to come to realization that the music minister has a ministry that is of a larger dimension to the four corners of the church walls.

The need to support the music minister now becomes worth considering.

What the music minister can do to effectively live in his/her calling.

1.     Study to show him or herself approved- By understanding what God’s calling (ministry) on his/her life is all about. (2 Tim 2:15).

2.     Pray, plan and organize worship meetings if possible outside the normal Sunday services. With the supervision of a pastoral head if need be.

3.     Work on their art and craft by releasing worship albums, which glorifies God and edifies the people. This would get them invited as guest ministers and can also be a good leverage. Invest in your spirit, soul and body.

4.     Make good effort to network with other credible worshipers. Iron would definitely sharpen another iron.

What the music minister should watch out for.

1.     The temptation of praising himself through self glorifying songs that often come in the form of testimonies- Some people usually fall into the temptation of talking about the material possessions they have through their songs in the name of thanking God but we all know it’s not always so. (1 Jhn 2:16)

2.     Church leaders that usually put restriction on their music ministers in terms of where they can go to minister and how they should use their ministry. This is often because they want to keep them stuck in one place.(Gal 5:1)

3.     Open doors that are traps in disguise. Some opportunities are not what they seem. God’s direction and leading saves the day. Don’t be too quick to rush out and be heard or seen.(Exd 5:9)

4.     Feeling of unworthiness, which robs the music minister of the boldness and strength they need to minister effectively. 

What really defines the limit to which a music minister can operate or aspire to?

Are music ministers designed to function in a particular denomination alone? And how would a music minister prepare for the calling of God on his/her life? What are your opinions?

Eight things prayers and fasting would do and not do for a praise team or choir.

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It's easy to sometimes alternate functions by thinking, prayers would cover up for what rehearsing is supposed to handle and also believe rehearsals would give the anointing a team or choir needs for worship without praying.

A praise team or choir is as anointed to the level in which it prays and fasts and vice versa.

Four things prayers and fasting would do for a praise team of choir

1- It will bring unity (Eph 4:3)- There is a bond that is developed when praying and fasting is practiced in a group. People begin to learn about, and understand each other more.

2- It will build up the Spiritual lives of Individuals (Jud 1:20) - Maturity as believers also includes Spiritual maturity. This is essential because helps the individual grow in the things of God.

3- Knowing the mind of God for each moment- In certain situations the Spirit of God can decide to change the order of songs or arrangement already planned. It takes sensitive individuals to know what God is saying at that moment.

4- Confidence- There is a Joy that comes from knowing “this ministration is for God’s glory” and “He is here in our midst as we minister”(Phi 1:6, Acts 28:31, Prov 14:26).

Four things prayers and fasting would not do for a praise team or choir.

1-It would not make the Praise team or choir perform well.- Performance is always a product of hard work. There would always be the need to learn a song well before singing or playing or else there would be so many mistakes.

2- It would not feed the needy amongst them (Jam 2:16)- The needy would always require food and financial support to take care of their needs.

3- Prayers would not substitute for a good music director (1 Chron 15:22)- A music director needs to be skillful ad trained in aspects of music for efficiency and effectiveness.

4- Prayers would not take the place of studying the word of God (2 Tim 2:15)- This helps in writing scriptural accurate songs and also knowing how to pray the word of God (promises and peace) into our lives.

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How much emphases have you applied to prayers and fasting where you are? 

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photo credit: prayitno via photopin cc

7 qualities a musical director of a praise team or choir should not have.

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Music director=Praise team/choir=Praise and Worship.

The musical director or choir director’s office is vital to the performance of any praise team or choir, consequently affecting the worship lifestyle and the spiritual atmosphere of any given church.

This requires a careful and prayerful selection when it comes to individuals that should fill in that position.  There are seven qualities, a music or choir director should not have.

- Immaturity- (Eccle 10:16) “Woe to the city whose king is a child”. There is always a big issue when a leader talks and thinks like a child.

- Unspiritual- Music for the church is a Spiritual act of worship and should be handled by qualified individuals that understand the way of the Spirit of God.

- Poor musical Understanding- (1 Chron 15:22) The office of the music or choir director should not be politically driven. Individuals with good understanding of music should be given a chance to work.

-  Busied Schedule- (Jam1:8) Being effective and unavailable usually makes the work slower and undesirable. It’s better to be effective and available.  

- Quick to Anger- Most directors need anger management classes because this is one of the silent reasons some members leave teams and choirs they would have been a blessing to.

- Personal Vision- The director needs to work within the confines of the bigger vision of the ministry. Problems usually occur when personal agenda’s are pursued. Such people should be avoided

- Smart Less-   A good music/choir director should have the experience or technical proficiency to know what to do in any given situation.

 Praise teams and Choirs need to be driven and handled by qualified individuals not individuals that believe they can just because they sing or play an instrument photo credit: Leo Reynolds via photopin cc

Dealing with Undisciplined music ministers

“Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself lest thou also be tempted” Gal 6:1

 Issues involving church music ministers would always arise. This is because people face battles and they are humans just like everyone: but knowing how to go about the issues, usually gives victory both to the individual concerned and the church or music ministry.

What not to do.

Openly disgrace or confront- Making individuals feel worthless about themselves in front of a congregation or fellow music ministers does not build the individual’s spirit and confidence. #Condemnation.

Ignore the individual’s sin- Issues of sin must be treated as sin, in accordance to God’s word and most importantly in Love.

Showing preferential treatment- Some music ministers should not be treated in preference to others. It creates insincerity and lack of trust in the judgment of the leadership of the team or church.

What would be helpful.

Draw them closer- keeping away from a broken or wounded heart often brings the feeling of being neglected.

Message of Hope- In times of despair messages of hope, repentance and forgiveness would heal and restore faster than judgment and condemnation.

Point out warning signs- It’s so easy to be caught up in the glamour and glory of the music ministry and forget there is an enemy out there. Music ministers need to be reminded of the vulnerability of their calling through effective bible studies and prayer meetings.