Harp Hunters: The Person, Purpose, and Position of the Minister of Music

A call to specialized ministry, like the music ministry, necessitates our understanding of God's initial call on our life. Choir members must be able to see themselves from a biblical perspective. By-Laws will always be subjected to arguments and disagreements. It is not as easy to argue with the Word of God. God requires us to "be" Christians before we can "do" Christian work. He created us "human being", not "human doers", nor "human havers". Every member of the music ministry, whether a choir member, praise team member, or musician, must be taught to see themselves and their function through the lens of the Word of God. Until they understand the truth of their identity, they will continue to equate choir and praise team membership with being the sum of what it means to be a Christian. God is not impressed with our singing and our playing. We don't get extra credit for being in two or three different ministries. We can't earn God's favor by being busy. Though God needs workers, He needs worshippers more. Richard Foster in his iconic book, The Celebration of Discipline" writes: "Service as a substitute for worship is idolatry. Activity is the enemy of adoration." We cannot allow our "doing" to blind us of our "being". Our theological framework should lay a solid foundation on which to grow our people beyond singing a song. Our ministry is an extension of who we are. We cannot separate the preacher from the sermon, nor should we be able to separate the singer from the song.