Of utmost concern

Now that I have your attention, I’d like to get some feedback from you all about the greatest concerns in today’s worship ministry.

This is the simple question I asked my church’s worship ministry leadership:
From your experience, what issues of utmost concern do you face today in terms of (musical) worship (leading)?

Unless we are completely complacent, without care about how our ministry is going–we will have an opinion, a response to this question. My heart yearns that we are continually improving in what we are doing, and also in how we do what we do–namely, leading people in proclaiming the worth of Him who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

However, I also know that we struggle with issues of busyness and burn out, where many of us do too much and worship ministry is just one of the numerous ministries we are a part of. Even still, it is not worship to God if we are serving out of obligation, because we have to, because nobody else will. If we don’t want to be serving, then please don’t; if we’re not going to be continually improving and nurturing our craft we should honestly take a step back and re-evaluate which area of service we have been gifted to serve in.

Every time I think about church and talk about issues that my church and the church at large in North America struggles with, my heart sinks in disappointment and frustration about our current state of affars, and yet at the same time, my heart jumps at the opportunity to see growth and maturation in the church. We have the chance to make a tremendous difference in the world and in His church–why, then, are we not dialogging and discussing what and how things can be transformed into something even more glorious?

Serving as a bass guitar player for the past year, I have often wondered–where are we going? What are we really seeking to accomplish? I’m not the only one who thinks we’re going through week after week without vision or direction, am I? I confess, I intentionally act like a pawn in the worship ministry–only doing what I’m told, not making a fuss about methodology or results, not making any noise about how we are doing in my humble opinion. I care deeply about the health of our ministry, but I just want to see where it is that we can go without my direct, active input.

The results so far…, could be better. The fact is, dialog is minimal if not absent. From me not actively seeking to give my opinion straight up, I’ve found that it’s often not even asked.

I have heard it said, “We should never think that we can lead people to praise God without any thought or preparation. To be effective, a leader must know where he’s going, how to get there, and how to take others along with him. That kind of leadership requires intentional effort and consistent faithfulness.”

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Our time together is short. I’ve only got about 4 more months left in me to do what we’ve been scheduled to do. Somebody, tell me please where it is that we’re going and how we are attempting to get there.

And I beg you, take me along with you. I don’t want to leave this place in shambles, but rather as a bride that’s beautiful and ready for the return of her Lord and Savior.