Music Ministry
Leadership
It can be a hard place to be sometimes. It's not necessarily going to always be a popular place and you're frequently called to balance the good of the many and the ministry against the good of the few, while not forgetting that you're working with individual people who have feelings, issues, goals and sometimes even agenda's. If God has put you in a position of leadership within your group, there are a couple of things to remember up front.
Romans 12:8 "...if it is leadership, let him govern diligently."
1 Cor 14:40 "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way".
Someone who leads in a humble, but righteous manner for the Lord is the opposite end of the spectrum from a dictator who rules with an iron fist simply because he/she can. My grandma always used to say "too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the stew". I understand that now, as a leader, like I never did as a child. In ministry there will always be people that have inspired ideas ... and the key is learning how to organize them so they feel comfortable working with you towards the common goal of glorifying Christ, rather than having a hodge-podge of stuff being either thrown around at random or everybody doing there own thing.
The Steps for V.O.H. Music Ministry Plan
Pray. Ask God to show you your steps. Remember, it's a path that He layed out for you before you were born, and He knows each step as well as each pitfall. Don't forget that a in a Christian Music Ministry, you're representing God, so make sure that you're right with Him before you start your journey.
- Write down your goals. Where do you want to end up? Do you want to minister to crowds of people as far as the eye can see or do you feel called to do more intimate ministry in a small church setting? Each of those paths is different, so knowing which one you want to take is an important step.
- Think about those maps that they have at the mall. The big "you are here" X represents where you are right now. The ending that you just wrote down is where you want to go, so now look at what it will take to get there.
- Educate yourself on every aspect of> what you're going to be doing. Learn about as much as you can about all of the things you don't know about ministry and/or the business of music. In order for any ministry to grow, it has to be looked at as a business; God's business; but business none the less. Churches, big and small, as well as independent music ministries all have leadership and business practices. No ministry can just drift along without direction and education.
- Pray some more. Once you get every draft finished, pray that God will show you if that is a good plan. Keep in mind that you can see right now, but God can see the whole picture. As God takes you down your personal path there may be more steps or different steps as you go, but if you're in His will, the steps will be fruitful.
- Take that first step in faith.