11 Steps To Grow In MaturityThe saying "Satan fell from heaven...into the choir loft" really bothers me because it implies that people who serve in worship ministry have a tendency to be divisive, slanderous, selfish, hypocritical, proud - basically, immature.
I hope this hasn't been your experience! I have been honored to serve with some of the most humble, sensitive, hard-working, submissive, faithful people a worship pastor could ask for. They've displayed such maturity in their walks over these years. I'm a better man for it, and our ministry has thrived because of it!
Still, there is always room to grow! The thought of "arriving" is just foolishness. So here are 11 ways for us to continue to mature as members of a worship ministry.
Ask how you can get better. Asking for feedback is hard, but it is one of the greatest signs of humility.
Be a servant. It's not all about you, your voice, or your awesome drum fill or guitar lead. Serve the song, serve the worship leader, serve the congregation, SERVE JESUS.
Refuse gossip. It's great when people fellowship with each other at rehearsal, but how about we talk with people instead of about them. And if you must talk about someone else (which is sometimes ok), speak about them as if you're speaking to them.
Get to a small group. "Independent" artist is not just a label distinction. It's often an issue with musicians. Getting with a group of people who care for you and for whom you can care is critical to maturity.
Love the people more than the music. My friend Andi Rozier says this a lot. Every time I hear it, I recalibrate. Music is a tool; ministering to people and Jesus is the what the tool is for. P.S. Music is not the only tool, either.
Read your Bible and pray. Duh. The more you do, the stronger you'll be. They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31). We need strength to do ministry. We get strength by waiting on the Lord.
Submit to authority. One of the greatest and most ignored measures of maturity is how well you do this. Faith, humility, wisdom, and a host of other virtues are vividly demonstrated when you submit.
Stand up for righteousness and those in authority over you. Hear something slanderous or inappropriate; say something. Silence is generally taken as agreement.
Take a discipleship class. You'll learn more about the Bible than you ever thought possible. But beware of becoming a "fat-head." Put it into practice. Let the word change your life!
Go to prayer meeting. R.A. Torrey said, "The devil is perfectly willing that the church should multiply its organizations and its deftly contrived machinery for the conquest of the world for Christ if it would only give up praying." The vast majority of commands to pray in the New Testament are meant to be carried out in the gathered body.
Invest in others. The most mature people have something to give away, and they desire to do so. Look outside yourself to see who and how you can help.
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My challenge to you would be to take at least one or two of these things that you are currently not doing, and begin doing them. Set a reasonable goal for yourself, and see what the Lord does to grow your faith and help you make a difference in the lives of others and the kingdom of God!
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(you can read the printable version
here)
