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Don't
Knock Me Down. I'm Carrying the Ark.
October 13,
2008
By Laura
Payne
For a while
now I've been fascinated with the relationship between priests and
Levites. There certainly is a powerful model of fellowship and unity
that exists between these appointed biblical orders.
Consider the following passages:
“Then the priests and the Levites purified themselves in order
to bring the Ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to Jerusalem. Then
the Levites carried the Ark of God on their shoulders…” (I Chronicles
15:14-15, NLT).
“David also ordered the Levite leaders to appoint a choir of Levites,
who were singers and musicians to sing joyful songs to the accompaniment
of lyres, harps and cymbals” (I Chronicles 15:16, NLT).
“David appointed the following Levites to lead the people in worship…”
(I Chronicles 16:4, NLT).
“The work of the Levites was to assist the priests, the descendants
of Aaron, as they served the house of the Lord….And each morning
they stood before the Lord to sing songs of thanks and praise to
him. They assisted with the burnt offerings…” (I Chronicles 23:28-32).
The Old Testament gives examples of priests who played instruments,
Levites who carried the ark, Priests who carried the ark, and Levites
who sang. Their roles seemingly intertwined without difficulty or
anxiety. Both priests and Levites served faithfully to guarantee
that the sacrifice went up to God and the work of His tabernacle
continued.
Priests and Levites = Preachers and Musicians?
When I think of priests and Levites, I start thinking about preachers
and worship leaders/musicians. Sadly, few music leaders ever experience
joy, honor and God-ordained unity in their associations with a preacher
or pastor.*
It is not uncommon
to hear a well-meaning preacher launch into a diatribe of frustration
and lecture about the glaring flaws that exist in his own music
department or the ministry of music at large. In my 14 years
of music ministry, I have heard musicians and singers chastised
for pride, warned about homosexuality, instructed that the Word
has pre-eminence over the Song, informed that no other department
brings a pastor as much grief, reprimanded for not worshipping,
cautioned against secular musical influence, and humbled into a
state of Kingdom-worthlessness.
And through it all, many of my colleagues are simply striving to
accomplish what David ordered years ago. Our passion is to carry
the Ark on our shoulders. We seek to fulfill our part in the sacred
act of ushering in the presence of God.
I see fellow worship leaders and musicians who function as prophets
and teachers and evangelists. (Remember: the Bible clearly defines
music as prophetic in nature. It also defines singing as being for
purposes of instruction or teaching. And every pastor would identify
music as an evangelistic tool in their community.) However,
too often those who carry the mantle of pastor are not embracing
the prophets, teachers, and evangelists around them if they do not
appear in the anticipated cloaking of a licensed minister.
Although I could write a lengthy commentary, I'd rather provoke
individual thought. Consider this my proverbial can of worms, and
here comes the can opener:
Questions to Ponder
1. If priests and Levites worked so closely in the Old Testament
tabernacle model, can we not see precedent for a great camaraderie
between preachers and music leaders?
2. Do preachers mistakenly fail to draw a worship leader into their
inner circle, choosing instead to only openly dialogue with other
preaching personalities? Does this create tunnel vision because
the preacher has not widened his or her perspective? Does it also
contribute to a lack of shared vision?
3. If pastors and evangelists were able to dialogue in a healthy,
spiritual way about the music ministry with those who are involved
in it, would it eliminate the need for public rants about their
pet peeves? Do we have a bunch of frustrated pastors that just need
to sit down and talk it out instead?
4. Is it possible that we have witnessed such failure rate among
worship leaders/musicians because we have not placed appropriate
importance on the sacred, spiritual role of worship leaders and
music? If the music ministry is not mentored by a transparent, communicative
leader is it possible that he/she will never reach their full, God-ordained
potential?
5. Finally, because I am a woman, I wonder if some of this lack
of communication and camaraderie results from the gender issue?
Is it difficult for pastors to have good discussion with female
leaders because they are working to maintain appropriate safeguards?
Perhaps one
day these questions will be discussed in a safe, neutral environment.
Until then, they're just questions that need answers.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2008, Laura
Payne
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After serving
as the Dean of Music at Christian Life College from 1996-2005, Laura
Payne now serves as Music & Creative Arts Pastor in
Goodlettsville, TN, under the leadership of Tim Zuniga. The
big move to Tennessee has made it necessary to have family-sponsored English
lessons with her three boys. Or, as the oldest says, “I want
to talk 'country' but my Mom doesn't want me to!”
* Trust me,
I fully understand the fragile ground on which I am gingerly treading!
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