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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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

5 ways of handling conflict in a praise team or choir

The other day I was in a cafeteria eating and I overheard some ladies that belong to a gospel choir talking about a member of their choir who performed at a concert, about how they should have done a better job.

Have you ever dealt with a situation where some musicians feel they should be the ones playing instead of the other person? Or where singers feel they should be chosen to lead the praise or sing the solos to a song?

Somehow it creates a tense atmosphere within the praise team or choir though no one wants to speak about it.

What to do!

Clear definition of roles among singers and musicians- Some people have the ability to play several instruments. There should be proper coordination to avoid a situation where people would be moving from one instrument to the other at their own will.

Avoid showing preferences- Everyone should be given equal treatment, it increases the need to commit. Many times inequality in the way people are treated generates strife and envy.

Having good and capable leadership- The leader should be a person that is to a great extent, beyond reproach and should not be part of the problem or conflict.

Unbiased pastoral interference- In handling conflicts, a holistic look at the issue involved would help to create a balanced judgment. Not being quick to point accusing fingers saves a lot of heartaches.

Even distribution of roles among musicians and singers- It adds variety to praise and worship songs when different singers and players are given opportunity to minister.

Praying for one another- most people go through a lot of issues they have not been able to and/or cannot share. Most outward expressions are reflections of the state of our minds.

Conflicts will always try to arise where there are two or more people gathered, primarily because we would differ in ideas and thoughts concerning issues.

A good friend of mine said it better “It does not really matter who leads, the goal is to get the job done good (by the whole team)”. It calls for teamwork!

There is no limit to the effectiveness of our praise and worship when we better understand how to deal with avoidable conflicts.

photo credit: William Doran 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.

7 Stage ministration ethics for worship leaders.

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 Avoid warming up on stage- Avoid practicing or warming up in front of the congregation, warm ups should be done at home.

Facial expression- Know when you should smile and when not to. Some songs require certain facial expressions

Dress comfortably- Be comfortable with what you are wearing so as to move or dance freely in them.

Be aware of the what’s going on around you- It’s good to be aware of what is required from you. When you are needed to sing or be quiet.

Come prepared- Know your songs and the key they are in. It is also good to know what the musicians are playing and when they will stop playing.

Avoid playing or singing to impromptu invitations- Respect the anointing and calling on your life to avoid been lost on stage.

Prayerfully Prepare- It’s easier ministering under the anointing.

photo credit: Carol VanHook via photopin cc

Best Music style for worship.

Musical styles and song styles are basically mediums through which worship is expressed to God not necessarily the objects to be worshiped. The effectiveness of the worship is not primarily on the style but on the connection of the worshiper to who he/she is worshipping.

If God accepts it then it is appropriate.

Roms 12:2 says: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Most of the time, arguments as to whether a style is good for the church or not just keeps the people of God in a fruitless debate.

How many songs should be sang during a praise and worship session?

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Should the number of songs performed determine the quality of a praise and worship experience? or the efficacy of the songs performed? This basically brings up the issue if it’s the quality or the quantity of song that really matters.

The whole essence of leading people to God during a worship service is to get them to that place in which the presence of God saturates the atmosphere and people begin to get refreshed, filled and healed in God’s presence. The important factor for the worship leader to consider is what song could lead him/her to that point or place in worship? and not necessarily trying to cover all the songs on the list that have been practiced and must be performed.

I have participated in worship meetings where our song plan was changed because we could not continue with the rest of the songs we had earlier planned. We just yielded ourselves to the Spirit of God and allowed him to take over.

I know this might not be a familiar experience because most of our worship services are programmed to finish at certain time limit. This sometimes puts some pressure on the worship leader to sing as much songs as he can and not really pay so much attention to the leading of the spirit.

 Spontaneous spirit lead song (usually in the form of a chant or a repetitive phrase) could sometime erupt out of a worship service and could take the worship to another new dimension in the Spirit.