Big and Small : The heart of music ministry leaders

The past decade of local church ministry has taught me that big and small churches face similar problems, but for entirely different reasons. One example of this is the failure to address vocalists or musicians who have great talent, but a terrible heart condition (or even worse, theological beliefs as structured as a bowl of pudding).

Small churches have difficulty with this because they consider themselves to be a "small gene pool" and are nervous that if certain heart issues are addressed, that the volunteer may leave, which will lead to the overall disintegration of the music ministry. I have known destructive people that have held a vice-like grip on a church ministry simply because the leadership didn't address the issue for fear that the ministry would be destroyed.

Larger churches have this difficulty because they are under enormous pressure to perform and thus the need to recruit top talent to perform for the large group often overrides the value placed on the heart condition of a single individual. I have known megachurches that have put non-christians on their platform, to lead the congregation in worship, simply because they are talented individuals. Talk about a total failure of the heart! How can someone lead the people of God, to offer their praise to God, as an enemy of God? That would be equivalent to a member of a terrorist organization leading American troops into battle against their own terrorist organization!

The most important characteristic of any musician, of any Christian, is his/her heart toward God. Human beings usually see and hear the external only, which is usually very polished. However, the Bible is clear that God looks at the heart.

It is my prayer that every church, both big and small, will not position leaders based on talent, but rather on a heart for God and a dedication to the truth of God's Word.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."
~1 Samuel 16:7

Pretty, Superficial Preachers

As I prepare to preach my third sermon at Calvary Baptist Church tomorrow, this excerpt from John Wesley continues resonating in my mind.

It is a letter that Wesley wrote to a young minister, who was a poor preacher. Wesley argued that the daily reading of Scripture is the most necessary condition for improved preaching.

"What has exceedingly hurt you in time past, nay, and I fear, to this day, is lack of reading. I scarce ever knew a preacher who read so little. And perhaps, by neglecting it, you have lost the taste for it.

Hence your talent in preaching does not increase. It is just the same as it was seven years ago. It is lively, but not deep; there is little variety; there is no compass of thought.

Reading only can supply this, with meditation and daily prayer. You wrong yourself greatly by omitting this. You can never be a deep preacher without it, any more than a thorough Christian.

Oh begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercise. You may acquire the taste which you have not; what is tedious at first will afterward be pleasant.

Whether you like it or not, read and pray daily. It is for your life; there is no other way; else you will be a trifler all your days, and a pretty, superficial preacher.

Do justice to your own soul; give it time and means to grow. Do not starve yourself any longer. Take up the cross and be a Christian altogether.

Then will all the children of God rejoice (not grieve) over you, and in particular yours."

"Letter to a Friend," The Works of the Rev. John Wesley (London, 1813), 49.

Killer Dams

In 2011, the largest dam removal in U.S. history began on the Elwha River in Washington State.

This is incredibly surprising, especially since both of the dams were hydroelectric power stations, which provided much needed natural energy to surrounding communities. It took over 3 years to complete the project, and was deemed a success by local citizens and conservationists. This dam existed for nearly 100 years but ended up doing much more harm than good.

It is amazing to me how a well-meaning dam can destroy so much life. Although the water was able to be controlled, the net effect of killing almost every type of fish species, nearly destroyed the region's ecosystem.

These "Control Dams" are often constructed in churches; unfortunately with great intent, cost, and purpose. Yet these tools, systems, or rules put in place to HELP, as time passes, become obstacles that HURT. Life is snuffed out, generations of fish (Jesus would use this analogy too) are often lost to concrete structures that will endure long after those who created them have passed on.

Many dams are incredibly helpful and necessary. Distinguishing between a life-giving structure and life-taking structure is not by reviewing their intended purposes, because every dam is built for a noble cause. Rather, we should probably stop staring at the impressive colossal formations we built 20 years ago and analyze the effects of these structures. In other words... let's get downstream and see how the fish are doing.

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19