This blog stinks. It’s been treading water since the beginning of the summer, where it’s only consisted of weekly recaps of Sunday morning tunes – not even a new ridiculous video . . . I’m initiating a new attempt at adding some content.
I’ve been having an email exchange with a friend over the past few days regarding how I do certain things in the worship ministry. Which got me thinking – maybe this same info would benefit others. So i’m starting a new series on this blog . . . little lessons I’ve learned. Personal policies i follow. Weekly procedures . . . etc. Maybe some will be helpful. Maybe some will apply to your ministry situation. It’s not going to be funny. Well, at least most of it won’t be funny.
#1 – Do you really want to be a church music guy?
My piano professor in college was also my aural skills professor my freshman year. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, we’d arrive for our 8:00 class at 7:58, and keep the lights off in the room because it was 8:00, and that’s early for a college kid. He would, with fervor and vigor, throw open the door, flip on the lights, and bellow, yes, bellow “GOOD MORNING! How’s everyone doing this morning.” “mumble, grumble.” “You know, I would think that music majors were the happiest people in the world because you’re getting to do exactly what God created you to do.” He was right.
Majoring in music was hard. I practiced piano 3 hours a day, worked full-time at the concert hall on campus, and took 18 hours of class every semester. But I get to do what I love . . . music. Music MINISTRY comes with so many more responsibilities and challenges though – which is why #1 is “Do you really want to be a church music guy?”
It’s NOT just sitting around the office with a guitar in hand learning the latest Hillsong United tune that’s on the third CD they’ve released this year . . . It involves people. And working with people is beautiful, and messy, and challenging, and sacrificial – and you’ve got to believe that God’s called you to a position like that.
Are you called to just produce music within the walls of a church? Or are you called to love and minister with people, and in the process, gather together and make some music?
Jason – I've been stalking your blog from my reader for a while… and I've enjoyed seeing what you were doing at Oak Mountain! But I'm going to love seeing the thoughts behind everything… although the only music ministry I do these days is to my boys…. 😉
Do you remember Dr. T asking everyone on the first day of class why we wanted to be a musician? That was wonderfully telling, and clarifying, too… Good ol' Dr. T…