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Contentment with what God has already given
It always feels like we could use more musicians at church. And there is a reality to the idea that adding more instruments will lift the mood and energy levels (if done well). After all, King David had 288 trained singers and musicians to raise sounds of joy in the tabernacle. Somehow I don’t think it would have been the same if he’d only had two of them.
It’s easy to struggle to be content with the gifts God has given our church. We should think back to what Paul told his friend Timothy: “There is great gain in godliness with contentment” (1Timothy 6:6).
A friend recently told me about the church where he grew up. They don’t have a fantastic music team, in fact they have so few musicians that they often sing along to a CD. But they have a firm commitment to God’s purpose for music at their church, so that when the congregation stands to sing, they sing their hearts out! It doesn’t matter so much that the piano player occasionally hits the wrong notes - why should that stop them singing the praises of their Saviour? Now there’s a congregation that’s content with what it has.
I think many of us stand to learn a lot from that church. God has richly blessed us all not only in the gift of music generally, but in equipping every church with every spiritual gift it needs to fulfill his purpose for music. As we’ve seen, what’s important to God is faithfulness in music.
There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are a variety of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1Corinthians 12:4-7)
There’s no such thing as an “under-resourced” church. At minimum, God has given every church his Spirit, and a congregation of human voices to join as one in songs of praise. That alone is enough to achieve everything he has planned for music. The real question is: Are you ready to use those voices?
In reality, God has probably blessed your church in a number of other ways. The rest of this seminar will focus on practical ways we can make the most of what God has given us as smaller churches. Some of the ideas here are dead simple and you’ll be able to introduce them straight away. Other ideas will take a while as you encourage your musicians to be working on their various gifts. But often what’s really needed will be a shift in the mindset of our music team or the church culture. Give it lots of time and prayer.
Here are the principles of how to make the most of what God has given your church: