It happened again.
Worship didn’t feel right. The
musicians satisfied themselves at the expense of their ministry.
This time it was the organ playing just the right sounds (at another church),
but the music was too slow for the congregation to sing with any feeling of
enthusiasm. It felt like we were singing
in slow motion. On another Sunday and in
another place, it was the live band rocking out so loud that the congregation
could feel the beat, but most could hardly hear the melody and lyrics.
Musicians – what satisfies us may not satisfy our call to
ministry. A good definition for ministry
is “minus-try.” We musicians are here to
serve others whose needs are different from and greater than our own. We may like to hear ourselves play, but that
is not why people come to worship.
We play to serve. A
congregation’s greatest need is to participate in a meaningful expression of
their spirituality. They are not an
audience, but a community needing help so they can fully participate in
proclamation and response.
Musicians – don’t aim for people to feel that you and your
music are great. As one of my church
members has told me again and again – “I may not remember what you said, but I
will remember how you made me feel.”
What he wanted me to help him feel was simply this - the presence of
God.
Get the feel of worship right and everyone will be better
satisfied.
Copyright 2009 by Kenneth L. Morrison All Rights Reserved
Dr. Ken Morrison
Pastor
Via de Cristo United Methodist Fellowship
7430 E Pinnacle Peak Road, Ste 134
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-515-4490
www.viadecristo.com
ken@viadecristo.com
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