Director? Of What?

As a worship leader, one of my assignments is to direct the music ministry of our church.

What does that mean?

It means that, working with the Music Committee, I oversee the calendaring of music events. Selection of music is also one of my (our) jobs. I (we) also establish music policy, develop the music budget, determine the space for music groups to use, and plan, coordinate and evaluate the worship services of the church.

All of those events take place out of sight of the congregation.

It is not until I step onto the platform on Sunday morning, evening or whenever, that the congregation becomes aware of me.

At that time, I become the music director.

I give a down-beat and I expect the musicians to react.

I tell them when to start.

I tell them when to stop.

I tell them when to sing or play fast and when to sing or play slowly.

I tell them how loudly to perform and how softly.

I expect them to sing or play their respective parts: soprano; alto; tenor; bass; drum; guitar; trumpet; claranet; oboe; harp; piano; organ or whatever.

In order for it to work, each member MUST do as I say when I say. I certainly cannot do them all. They must.

When that happens, so does beautiful, God honoring music.

When it does NOT happen, chaos does.

In fact, when I step in front of the musicians, I become a dictator. A benevolent one, but a dictator, none the less.

It's a big responsibility...and a real trip!

If I did not accept the dictatorship, I would not be doing my job and the congregation would leave at the end of the service saying, "What was that the (choir, praise team, instrumentalists) was doing? That was terrible!"

For me to do my job, each musician must relinquish his/her will to "mine."

That's the way it should be with the church body.

Christ is the Director.

He tells us what to do, when to do it. how to do it, where to do it and even why (sometimes). He does so in His word.

Our job (corporately) is to do what He says.

If we do, we progress in harmony and unity.

If we do not, the result is chaos.

"My way!" "No, MY way!" "No, no, no! It has to be MY way!"

"I don't like the way 'they' are doing this or that, so I'm going to pick up my ball and go home."

"You need to pray and do what God wants you to do. Oh, but I don't have to, because I already know how this or that should be done."

"They picked the wrong carpet color, against my argument in business meeting, and I'm MAD!"

"That Youth Director tried to tell my kid how he/she should dress in church. How DARE he?"

"The preacher stepped on my toes and I'm not going to have it!"

"I was really hurt by this event or that happening, and I'm not going to put up with it any more!"

"Did you hear what HE/SHE said about me?" "What nerve!"

Wouldn't the church experience be much better if you (and I) took personal responsibility to follow the director (whether the others do or not), Christ, and be a unit of harmony in the body?

We must relinquish our wills to Him.

All to gether now, uh-one and uh-two and uh 1, 2, 3, 4.