In this post, we’ll be looking at the basics of ministry musicianship.
Most people limit the term ministry to the office, duty, and work of a pastor, however in actuality, ministry goes beyond the pastor to Christians generally and musicians specifically.
Any musician who has an office in church, and has understood his work as a musician and approaches it with a sense of duty is into ministry.
Take note that by saying “who has an office in church” I don’t mean having a room in the church building. Office here has to do with occupying a position in the church work force.
In this 101 lesson, we’ll be looking at the unction, function and conjunction of ministry musicianship.
Receiving The Unction
Unction has to do with the act of anointing and consecration. As ministry musicians, we need the unction of the Holy Spirit to distinguish us from other musicians.
Whenever you come across a musician who has the unction of the Holy Spirit, you can discern it because his or her music is God-inspired and has a way of changing the atmosphere.
Believe it or not, melodies that are coming from a heart that is panting after God, chords that are played by someone who is set apart and anointed for the purpose of music ministry are entirely different.
The unction is missing in a vast majority of church musicians. Who although are thoroughly equipped with the technical and intellectual demands of music making, are lagging behind in the aspect of the unction.
Irrespective of your skill level, style, achievements etc., you need to unction of the spirit to become a vessel for honorable use in the hand of God.
“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work” 1 Timothy 2:20,21 (ESV)
In the scripture above, it’s clearly written that the vessel for honorable use (which refers to the musician in this context) is set apart (or consecrated), and ready for every good work. In a nutshell, one of the striking differences between a musician and a ministry musician is the unction.
One of the frequently asked questions is “how do I get the unction?”
Well, there are so many ways to get and also to increase in the unction of the Holy Spirit and I’m not going to say “fast and pray, study the bible, and register for the school of the ministry in your local church” inasmuch as those are still a part of it.
However, one thing is sure; as you keep setting yourself apart and developing the heart and mindset for ministry, and understanding how to use the gift (musicianship) to worship the giver (God), you’ll not only get, but increase in the unction of the Holy Spirit.
Understanding The Function
The place of ministry is the place of service. Therefore placing God first, others second, and self last is a requisite. A ministry musician will always consider the following things while playing…
Does what I’m playing and how I’m playing it glorify God?
Does what I’m playing and how I’m playing it edify others?
…and he feels fulfilled if the answer to both questions is yes.
Ministry musicianship is sacrificial. It requires a lot of unconditional commitment and uninterrupted devotion to God through the agency of your local church.
Therefore, without mincing words I want to say that the function of the ministry musician is to serve. When you know that your playing is service, you’ll approach it with a humble and contrite heart. So many musicians are haughty, proud, arrogant, and even incorrigible because they are yet to come to grips with the function of the music ministry; which is service.
Summarily, a call into the ministry is different from a call into the industry. I know that there’s industry in the ministry today, however, we must learn to draw a fine line between both of them, so we can approach the ministry with humility and service.
Working In Conjunction
A ministry musician understands the power of conjunction. He belongs to a particular local church were he works in conjunction with other ministry musicians, a pastor and other church workers to make every service unique.
The ministry musician doesn’t overplay in the band or quarrel so much with the instrument he’s given. Rather he/she maximizes the moment, musicians and musical instrument he/she is given and brings out the possible best.
The ministry musician is easy to work with and fun to be with. He/she has understood the pastor’s favorite voice (whether piano, strings, organ, etc.,) and is sensitive to the musical taste of the congregation and does his best to meet them.
The ministry musician works in conjunction with the choir director and other musicians during choir rehearsals and ministrations. He neither comes late to choir rehearsals nor to church service.
Final Words
I’ll want to get your opinion on the issue of paying ministry musicians. We’ll be discussing it in the 102 lesson. But before then, what do you think? Is it proper for ministry musicians to be paid or not?
P.S
Learn more about the music ministry by ordering our Gospel keys Ministry Musician DVD course by Jason White – a top-notch keyboardist in the industry and a ministry musician.
Chuku Onyemachi
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