Worship Skills

Worship Skills and Sensitivity

In the first verses of Psalms 33, we’re urged to make music to the Lord, sing to him a new song and play skillfully. I know this is speaking in the context of musicians and there instruments but I would like to turn it to a different angle and approach it as our instruments being the Cameras, switcher, computer and sound board or whatever it is we are working on. The word skillfully here means 2 things first we are to be the best that we can be with our instruments – as practiced and prepared as possible. And second we need to learn how to play (operate) sensitively, with an ability to flow with the Holy Spirit in our times of Congregational worship.
Technicians may have great techniques but with out the sensitivity we can often distract from worship rather than add to it. In I Chronicles 25 you read about the Levite priest who took care of worship in the Temple and who were trained and skilled in music for the Lord. We sense here a dedication to their calling, and so it should be with us. Whatever we do we should work at it with all our hearts, spending time developing our gifting and learning to improve on them.
We have the opportunity here to be a part of worship each and every day and we are truly blessed to have so many talented musicians within the body. It is easy to get wrapped in the technical parts of the service and loose focus as to why we are really here. Don’t misunderstand me in that I believe we should strive for technical excellence each and every week but keep in mind the real reason we are here is to glorify and Worship God.
Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise; risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible. This is going to be one of my goals this year as we strive to create an excellent support for the worship leaders in the church. Our pastors are tasked with the responsibility of preparing and presenting the body of the church to the word of God and to the very presence of his throne where we can experience worship. We are also tasked with that responsibility, as we are all Worship leaders regardless of the position we are filling any given weekend. It is very easy to be a distraction in the service with out ever knowing it. A jerk on the camera, a missed microphone, feedback, and late slides can all be a distraction. I like to refer to the media team as one part of the body as there are many parts we simply make up a few of them, the eyes, ears, and even the ability to change the mood of a specific part of the service rests squarely up on our shoulders.
While this can be overwhelming at time we need to remember this with out Christ we can do nothing but with him all things are possible. I look forward to worshiping together in the future and it is my prayer that each and every one of you are blessed and your families are blessed with an extra period of time with you for all the sacrifices you make here each month. It is a joy and honor to be a part of such a wonderful team and I look forward to improving our skills and abilities to further his Kingdom.