These are some tips that may help you if you find yourself in a church that is established (not a new work) and you feel the need for further development in your department:
1. Discover the pastor's vision
Numbers 11:16-17
"And the LORD said unto Moses, gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone."
In order to follow the God-given order of the church, you as a singer/musician/music leader must learn the heartbeat of your pastor. This will allow you to modify your approach to assist him in achieving some of his goals and fulfill his vision as it pertains to the music department. Your pastor needs your help! Even if it seems that he is not interested in sharing his vision or his burden for music, it is your responsibility to make the sincere effort to develop your relationship with him. I worked hard at this during my seven-year tenure as the Music Minister at Phoenix Revival Center in Phoenix, AZ. The result of my labor was a very close, trusting, personal relationship with my pastor at the time.
2. Hold up the hands of your leadership
Serve your leader(s)! It should not matter if your leadership is musical, involved first hand in the music department, or if they do not seem to express an interest at all in your efforts (this is very diffult to accept, I know). As a member of the ministry team, you should strive to visibly support your pastor and ministerial staff - it is crucial that your congregation see this on a continual basis. Make your leader(s) look good! :0) Defend your leadership from unfounded or vicious attacks from others. Your pastor and his wife endure untold attacks from the devil and from misguided saints alike. They need you in their corner, backing them up.
3. Blessing and anointing flows down from the head
Psalms 133.... The Lord commands a blessing on the head of your spiritual life - your pastor! Your pastor is the head of your ministry, because God has given him authority over your ministry. As such, you need to submit yourself to the head... Where the head goes, the body follows. I believe this also includes your pastor's wife as well. I always try to make a concerted effort to have dialogue with my pastor's wife - she is the lady that does many behind-the-scenes things you will never know. Shift your perception of your pastor's wife, and envision the anointing flowing down from both his and her heads.
4. Being in submission to your authority puts you in line for a blessing!
Hebrews 13:17.... "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
In order for God to elevate you, you must always be submitted to the head. You must also not be prideful. Always remember, whether you are a singer/musician/director: there is always somebody just around the corner that is much better than you! Stay humble. :0)
5. Have a long-term and short-term plan (where is the department at now and where do I want it to go?)
There is nothing wrong with making a three-month, six-month, and twelve-month checklist and putting it somewhere visible as a reminder. The refrigerator is a sure-fire location! lol
6. Don't initiate changes too quicky (avoid offending people)
This rule may apply to you in varying degrees depending on your local congregation. It is normal for an immature, unseasoned musician/director/singer to want to change things overnight and "fix" things that you perceive to be broken. SLOW DOWN when you make major changes in the music department. Remember that the item that in your opinion is "broken" has been the source of great blessings to a number of the saints! Change is good, providing it betters the music department and benefits the majority of saints in the church. Sudden change is usually not the greatest approach and can alienate you from a base in the congregation that you really need on your side -- the older/senior saints! :0) What? That doesn't make sense, you say.... But yes it does and from more than one facet. The Bible commands you to respect your elders.... There are immediate and long-term benefits for you if you do just that. Also realize that the older, mature, established base of your congregation are the same ones who pay the majority of the offerings/tithes/sacrificial giving in your church. To alienate them and to have them ringing the pastor's phone off the hook regarding YOU isn't your best recipe for success. I have experienced this for myself - take my word for it. :0)
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