Musicians for hire
I was a part of a lively discussion this week with our church staff about the issue of hiring outside musicians to come and be a part of the music program of a local church. We all saw the positive and negative aspects of the issue and walked away with more questions than answers. I thrive on these sort of discussions and would like to hear from some other blog readers on the subject.
I will present some of the opinions briefly for the purpose of discussion...
OUTREACH
There is the church that hired a musician who did not attend any church to come in and play. The guy loves going to church and is in a home bible study with one of the church pastors. There is the church that hired members of a band that one of the church musicians was a part of when he was out of church. Some of those members have been baptized and received the Holy Ghost. There are those instances where a church has hired a musician from another local non-Apostolic church. I am not sure what the outcome was on this particular situation.
ANOINTING
Does a church know when there is someone involved in leading worship who doesn't have a relationship with God? Is there a "spiritual awkwardness" in a service when a sinner is on the platform? What about a non-Apostolic musician? Is there no anointing on their ministry?
LEADERSHIP
I spend a lot of time and energy communicating to the music team at our church that they carry as much weight and responsibility for the service they are involved in as the minister who will be delivering the message. This involves much reassuring of all involved that I do not place any more importance on music than should be there, but platform ministry is leadership. Leadership carries responsibility. If we involve anyone from outside our congregation/community, then I would think we have the responsibility to make sure they are bringing the character that we require for leadership amongst ourselves.
So what do you think? Have you hired anyone from the secular music scene to be a part of leading worship? Do you know of any success stories? Share your wit and wisdom, I am not through discussing this yet.
posted by RJ at
Saturday, March 28, 2009
4 Comments:
Many Apostolics place way too much emphasis on music. The Word of truth coming forth is what saves, convicts and cleanses us. Just because a church's musicians may not be considered top notch doesnt mean they cant get the job done. We need people that are led by the Spirit of God, NOT super talented. After all it's the Spirit that moves people not talent. Lynne D.
But why does being talented and being led of God have to be mutually exclusive? Why does the Spirit moving people have to be at the expense of preparation?
Who said anything about preparation? You can be not so talented and very prepared. Give me some one who is wholly led of the Spirit and prepared (both in honing their craft and in the prayer closet)over the super talent who has no Spirit to anoint their efforts and talent....LD
Hired musicians (and singers) who are not saved ranks right up there with musicians and singers who are living a double-life and everyone knows it - even the ministry - but everyone plays "The Emperor's New Clothes" game, pretending that all is well.
Someone wrote about Nadab and Abihu in a recent comment and it seems to apply here as well.
Is it possible that we're missing something here? - and/or that it is bound to be revealed in a most embarrassing manner? Have we forgotten that not only hear and now, but ultimately, we will give account? Hans Christian Anderson may have written the little fable a long time ago, but it's still applicable today.
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