Dear Friends,
Music ministry is such a needed part of the body of Christ. It is the prelude to the Word being preached at countless churches all over the globe. It is what God uses to reroute the enemy out of countless of lives. It brings healing and deliverance to the hearer. The Bible requires that we are to enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise (Psalm 24). Music is a way to offer up thanksgiving, praise and worship to the almighty God. He is worthy of all of our praise, and everything that He has created, were created to magnify Him. And music- anointed music- is one of the many ways in which we give our praise to God.
There is, however, a subtle deception that has crept in to the church in regards to music ministry. It has been elevated to a place that it has not been assigned to in the Word of God. We have now made celebrities out of Christian music singers; we have created idols of those who are in the Christian music industry. We have actually created the "office" of music ministry besides the 5-fold ministry outlined in the Word of God. According to Ephesians 4:11, we have the offices of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. But we have now added the titles of "psalmist", "worship leader", "gospel singer", "artist", "godfather/godmother/prince of praise and worship", "prince of gospel", "queen of gospel" - you name it- in Christiandom, we've found a name for it. But this is not the purpose of music ministry. I'd like to deal with two pressing issues that I believe the Lord wants to convey to us as Levites.
Music: A Ministry of Helps
First, music ministry in the Old Testament was assigned by King David. He assigned LEVITES to prophesy on instrument he made himself:
“ALSO DAVID and the chiefs of the host [of the Lord] separated to the [temple] service some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who should prophesy [being inspired] with lyres, harps, and cymbals." 1 Chronicles 25:1a
Notice, that they are Levites. They were separated and set apart PRIOR to being assigned the task of being singers and minstrels. Music is just a tool. It is a helps ministry that brings pleasure to the Father. It is for Him and His glory. It's not for us to "blow up". We must get back to the humility of service. As a minister, when I am invited to minister at a church or event, I am there as a SERVANT. They are not there to "hold my water" so to speak. I should be asking them, "How do you want me to serve your congregation today?" I do not ask them to put me in a particular hotel, with peanuts on my pillow and my favorite water. That is worldly, and we have adapted that carnal mindset from secular music and the secular world. WE ARE SERVANTS. We are here to serve.
Be Who God Has TRULY Called You To Be
Secondly, we cannot hide our true calling behind music ministry. Some are called to just be musicians and singers and are called to the ministry of helps. If that is who you are, stay exactly where God has called you to be. This admonition is not for you. But, I have noticed that those that are called specifically to the five-fold ministry, are suppressing their calling. Instead of walking in the call of God for their lives, they hide behind their musical gifts. We get a glimpse of their gifts once in a while, as they minister in song, or through their instruments, but they are like modern-day Jonahs. They are running. They are afraid, intimidated, unsure of their identity, or afraid to trust God for their daily provision. Is that you? I want to encourage you to step out and be who God has called you to be. If you are a seer, step into that calling. The body of Christ needs you now more than ever. Are you called to be a pastor? Don't assume that it will look like the TV preachers that you grew up with, or if it will look like your current pastor's calling. Trust the Lord with your identity and destiny. He alone equips the called. Stop running. He needs you in this hour. Trust Jesus with your heart and life. He is with you.
We are nearing His return. It is closer than we realize. And we have to do a heart check as music ministers. We must make sure that we are in the center of His will. We must make sure that we are not basing our identity on how we perform as singers and musicians. As Levites, we are set apart. God is our inheritance. He is the one that directs our steps musically. Let's make sure that we are not carnal; that we do not take our cue from the world. The word "minister" means to serve, or serve. That is who we are. Our reward does not come from our peers. It comes from the Lord. And we must walk fully in the call that He has called us to.