Biblical Worship

I recently finished reading The Life and Diary of David Brainerd which was edited by Jonathan Edwards (Baker Books, ISBN 978-0-8010-0976-1) .   Brainerd (1718-1747) was an early American missionary who devoted his life to sharing the Gospel with the Native Americans of his day.  Edwards (1703-1758) was a well known American Puritan theologian, preacher and author.  The diaries of David Brainerd were fascinating to read as they testify to his selfless pursuits in reaching the Native Americans. 

The book begins with a brief sketch of the life of Jonathan Edwards.  When Edwards was a young man in his twenties he authored a list of resolutions that he determined would guide his life.  I believe these resolutions are helpful for those in the ministry today. 

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don’t hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.

24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.

27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is

perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.

32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, “A faithful man who can find?” may not be partly fulfilled in me.

33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec.26, 1722.

34. Resolved, in narration’s never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.

35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.

37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26, 1722.

38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.

43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12. Jan.12, 1723.

44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.

45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan.12 and 13.1723.

46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.

47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.

48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.

49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.

50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.

51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.

54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.

55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.

56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.

58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May27, and July 13, 1723.

59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July ii, and July 13.

60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.

61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; “knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.” June 25 and July 13, 1723.

63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan.14′ and July ’3′ 1723.

64. Resolved, when I find those “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those “breakings of soul for the longing it hath,” of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear’, of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton’s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.

66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.

70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. 

Aug. 17, 1723

At Southern Seminary and Boyce College we are training worship leaders for the church.   This training includes music skills, biblical and theological studies, administrative skills, and practical ministry skills.  There is so much to teach and so little time to help prepare these leaders for the church.   Despite all of this training, we must constantly remind our students that our character is of foremost importance in our training and in our serving.

The Apostle Paul reminds Timothy that he should “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”  He instructs Timothy to “keep watch on yourself and on the teaching.  Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”  (I Timothy 4: 12, 16).  No matter how wonderful a musician one may be or how eloquent at leading worship, a person’s character is the foremost trait to seek and maintain.

In Spurgeon’s Letters to My Students he quotes Robert Murray M’Cheyne:  “It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus.  A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”  Worship leaders need to seek to be conformed to the image of Christ daily.  Who we are during the day to day work of ministry and in our homes speaks volumes about how much we love Christ and reflect Him.  Our effectiveness for the Gospel as ministers is wrapped up in our character.

Spurgeon continues on this topic:  ”true and genuine piety is necessary as the first indispensible requisite; whatever “call” a man may pretend to have, if he has not been called to holiness, he certainly has not been called to ministry. . . We are to stand equipped with the whole armor of God, ready for feats of valor not expected of others: to us self denial, self-forgetfulness, patience, perseverance, longsuffering, must be everyday virtues, and who is sufficient for these things? We had need live very near to God, if we would approve ourselves in our vocation. . .  We have need of very vigorous piety, because our danger is so much greater than that of others.”

Worship leader – how are you doing in this area of character?  This is so important to the life of the minister that it supersedes your knowledge of theological issues, your musical abilities, and other gifts the Lord has given you.  If we want to be persons that the Lord uses in ministry, our character must be foremost in our daily lives.  I challenge you as I challenge myself to strive for purity, holiness and integrity in our personal life, family life and ministry. 

(Spurgeon quotes are from Letters to My Students, Henrickson Publishing, chapter on “The Minister’s Self Watch.”  A new collection of Spurgeon’s lectures to his ministry students.  Highly recommended).

As we take time this week to celebrate Thanksgiving, I am most thankful for Jesus Christ and the salvation I have in Him because of His redeeming work on the Cross.  My most serious problem has been solved because of the forgiveness of sins I have received through Him. 

What are you thankful for this special season?  Do you know about this great Savior and the eternal life He offers?

 A hymn we often sing at Thanksgiving services is “Now We Thank We All our God.”  This hymn was written in 1636 by Martin Rinkart, a Lutheran pastor, at the close of the Thirty Years’ War in Europe.  Rinkart lived in Eilenburg, Saxony, a town that had been surrounded by the Swiss army.  People were dying of starvation and disease.  The town was in crisis.  Rinkart was the only pastor in Eilenburg that survived this horrible experience.  At one point he was conducting 50 funerals a day.  The Swiss army was demanding a huge ransom to end the seige of the city.  Rinkart left the walled city and met the commander of the army pleading for mercy on the people of the city.  The commander lowered his demands and soon after the Thirty Years’ War ended.

Rinkart wrote this hymn for a celebration service to remember God’s faithfulness and mercy at this great time of sorrow and difficulty.  It was translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth in 1856.  Below you will find the text of Rinkart’s hymn.  Take a moment to reflect on the grace and mercy we all receive daily from our great Lord and be thankful.

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.        

O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessèd peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills, in this world and the next!

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
The Son and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God, whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

I recently picked up a classic book on prayer by E.M. Bounds called Power Through Prayer.  It is not a long book but it is quite convicting as it deals with the importance of prayer in the pastoral ministry.  Bounds was a Methodist preacher from Missouri (1835-1913). 

Bounds states that as pastors our tendency is to shut ourselves away from our people by spending too much time in our studies reading books and preparing sermons but not praying.   In chapter 4 Bounds writes, “Preachers who are great thinkers, great students must be the greatest of prayers, or else they will be the greatest backsliders, heartless professionals, rationalistic, less than the least of preachers in God’s estimate…. The scientist loses God in nature.  The preacher may lose God in his sermon. Prayer freshens the heart of the preacher, keeps it in tune with God and in sympathy with the people, [and] lifts his ministry out of the chilly air of a profession….”

In the same chapter he quotes Spurgeon:

“Of course the preacher is above all others distinguished as a man of prayer.  He prays as an ordinary Christian, else he were a hypocrite.  He prays more than ordinary Christians, else he were disqualified from the office he has undertaken.  If you as ministers are not very prayerful, you are to pitied.  If you would become lax in sacred devotion, not only will you need to be pitied but your  people also, and the day cometh in which  you shall be ashamed and confounded.  All of our libraries and studies are mere emptiness compared to our closets.”

Bounds believes it is easy for ministerial duties to “swallow up” time in our prayer closets.  He asserts that in our schedules we must put the prayer closet first, and the study and activities second.  “Prayer is not a little habit pinned on to us while we were tied to our mother’s apron strings; neither is it a little decent quarter of a minute’s grace said over an hour’s dinner, but it is a most serious work of our most serious years… The character of our praying will determine the character of our preaching.  Light praying will make light preaching.  Prayer makes preaching strong, gives it unction, and makes it stick.  In every ministry weighty for good, prayer has always been a serious business.  The preacher must be preeminently a man of prayer…Prayerless words in the pulpit and out of it are deadening words.” (chapter 4, Power through Prayer)

Pastors, how much time are you spending in the prayer closet?

Recommended reading:  Power through Prayer, by E.M.Bounds, Baker Book House.

When I was called to my second full time ministry position, I was relieved that a couple of people in my first church who were a source of difficulty or conflict would not be in my new church setting.  What was rather funny now that I look back on serving in these churches is that there are difficult people in every ministry setting.  They are there in your next church but with different names.  One wise minister once said that ministry would be easy if it weren’t for the people.  That’s an interesting thought but a little unrealistic.

Randall Bradley in his book on music ministry makes some insightful points on dealing with conflict and difficult people in ministry:

“If you find yourself dealing with many difficult people, you should examine yourself, especially if these people are not considered ‘difficult’ by other persons. Perhaps you are the one that is difficult.”  Bradley goes on to suggest:

• Many criticisms have a spark of truth.
• Receiving criticism goes with the territory of being in a position of leadership.
• When you receive criticism, resist the temptation to deal with the issue then.  Tell the person thanks and that you would like to take some time to consider what they are saying before responding.

Bradley says that when you are confronted in a more hostile manner, you should:

• Never interrupt, listen to the very end, and respond with clarity questions.
• Don’t attempt to reason with an irrational person.  They probably do not want to hear a logical argument.
• Be gracious.
• Attempt to love difficult people.
• Work at forgiveness.
• Don’t answer at the same emotional level (a gentle answer).
• Refuse to take everything personally.
• Choose your battles carefully.

Randal Bradley speaks from experience having spent many years in music ministry.  I’ve found that one of the best ways to deal with conflict is to make sure you are spiritually prepared and to do your best to be rested before you arrive at church on Sundays and Wednesdays when most people are present.  When I am tired I usually do not deal with conflict very well.

Bradley’s book, From Postlude to Prelude: Music Ministry’s Other Six Days (MorningStar Publishers, 2004, ISBN 0944529364) has an excellent chapter on this topic of conflict (chapter 5).  I have found  the whole book to be helpful for beginning music ministers as well as seasoned ones. 

Rory Noland in his book, Heart of the Artist, (Zondervan, ISBN 0-310-22471-3) discusses the difference between those who volunteer out of obligation to serve in the church and those who feel called by God to serve.  Noland says “that there is a deeper level of commitment, joy, and reward with those who know their calling is from God.”  He then lists differences between volunteers and those called of God: 

1.  Volunteers see their involvement at church as community service, but people called of God see it as ministry.

2.  Volunteers whine about what it’s going to cost to serve, but people called are committed to serving.

3.  Volunteers shrink back from resolving relational conflict, but people called of God seek to resolve relational conflict for the sake of unity in the church.

4.  Volunteers look upon rehearsal as another commitment they’re obligated to fulfill, but people called of God look forward to rehearsal as another opportunity to be used by God.

5.  Volunteers do no outside practicing or preparation, but people who are called of God come to rehearsals and a performance as prepared as possible. 

6.  Volunteers are not open to constructive criticism; they get defensive about it.  But people called of God are grateful for feedback because they want to be the best they can be.

7.  Volunteers feel threatened by the talent of others, but people called of God praise Him for distributing gifts and talents as He chooses.

8.  Volunteers want to quit at the first sign of adversity or discouragement, but people called of God dig in and persevere.

9.  Volunteers find their main source of fulfillment in their talents and abilities, but people called of God know that being used of God is the most fulfilling thing you can do with your life.

10.  Volunteers can’t handle being put in situations in which they’re going to be stretched, but people called of God respond to God’s call with humble dependence on Him.

Noland summarizes by saying that the difference between volunteering and being called of God is that “someone who has that sense of calling from God is more ministry minded. God never intended ministry to be the responsibility of the chosen few who do ‘full-time Christian work.’  God has equipped all believers to do the work of ministry.”  (Ephesians 4:11-12)  (taken from The Heart of the Artist, 70-74)

As worship leaders we need to disciple our musical teams to understand these differences.  It is a privilege to serve on a musical team that weekly has the honor to lead the Body of Christ in the praises of God who alone is worthy of glory and honor and praise! 

Full time music ministry in the local church is very demanding on the minister’s time.  Ministry is not a 9 to 5 job, but requires the minister to be out evenings, Saturdays, and usually all day Sunday for church services, meetings and rehearsals.  How does a minister maintain a healthy family life with the demands of the ministry?  This is a difficult question but one that must be addressed by each minister.  Our first ministry is to our wife and children at home.

Randall Bradley in his book, From Prelude to Postlude: Music Ministry’s Other Six Days (MorningStar, 2004, ISBN: 0-944529-36-4) gives several practical suggestions for the minister’s family that I think are helpful.  Here is Bradley’s list:

1. Get control of your calendar.  Plan far in advance for free Saturdays, for vacations, and for family nights at home. When these dates are blocked out in advance, then you can honestly say, “I already have a commitment for that time.”

2.  Plan special time with your children.  Look for opportunities to spend individual time with your children.

3.  Plan special times with your spouse.  Consider a monthly/weekly date during which you catch up on your week, plan the days ahead and reconnect.

4.  When you’re home, be home.  Avoid the tendency to be at home but have your mind in the office.  Screen calls and return them after the children are in bed, don’t check email from home, and turn off the cell phone.

5.  Be the pastor to your family.  In the rush of meeting the spiritual needs of others, don’t neglect your own family.

6.  Find time for worship and prayer with your family. 

7.  Involve family members in your ministry.  

8.  Develop genuine friendships.  Sometimes ministry families fail to develop meaningful relationships in their church and community.

9.  Avoid abusing the flexibility of ministry.  Many ministers abuse the flexibility of their jobs by having their children at work too often, by coming in late, or by expecting special treatment because of their status as a minister.

10.  Practice just being there.  Allow time just to be at home with no particular agenda or schedule.  Sometimes your spouse and children simply need your presence.

11.  Help your family learn to see the big picture of your commitments and recognize your job cycles.   (Bradley, page 27-28)

After spending a number of years serving on a church staff, I can appreciate every point that Randall Bradley has made in this list.  He speaks from experience and his words are great advice for any minister dealing with the day-to-day demands of family and full time ministry.

 Bradley’s book, From Prelude to Postlude is packed full of practical advice to the music minister.  If you are serving in full time music ministry or plan to do this in the future, I would encourage you to get this book.

In a day when many pastors and other ministers are falling to sexual temptations, ministers have to constantly be on guard to protect themselves from sexual sin that destroys families and churches.  A local church in Louisville has set up guidelines they call the Staff Ten Commandments which they expect all of their ministerial staff to follow in their day to day ministry settings.  I think it sets high standards for ministers – standards which can prevent a minister from falling.  Here are the Staff Ten Commandments:

• Thou shalt not visit the opposite sex alone at home.
• Thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex at the office.
• Thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex more than once without the person’s mate.
• Thou shalt not go to lunch alone with the opposite sex.
• Thou shalt not show affection that could be questioned.
• Thou shalt not discuss detailed sexual problems with the opposite sex in counseling.
• Thou shalt not discuss marriage problems with an attender of the opposite sex.
• Thou shalt be careful in answering cards and letters from the opposite sex.
• Thou shalt not be in an automobile alone with the opposite sex.
• Thou shalt pray for the integrity of other staff members.

The moment a minister thinks that he can not be tempted in this way is the moment he will fall to the temptation. 

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior; because it is written, ”You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (I Peter 1: 14-16) 

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8)

Recently, Jim Faull demonstrated to one of our Boyce Music classes a worship planning software he has developed for music ministers.  Jim Faull has served a number of churches over the past thirty years in addition to being the state music director for the Louisiana Baptist Convention.  For the past 20 years he has also developed several useful software applications for music ministers. 

As he was finishing up his software demonstration, I asked him if he had any advice for young college students planning to serve in the local church in the area of music/worship ministry.  He said there are two words of advice he would give:

1. Be sure of your calling to ministry.  Ministry is often very difficult and if you are not sure of your calling to ministry one day you will find yourself changing careers when things get tough.  We have to remember that it is the Lord Christ we serve first.  It is Christ that we first seek to please.

2.  Get all the musical training you can get.  Look out 10 years or 20 years from now at music/worship ministry in the local church.  There is most definitely going to be change in how we do music/worship ministry.  Will we be equipped to ride the storm of this change?  Faull stated that we should not think that because we can play guitar and lead worship that this is all of the skills we will need.  He encouraged the students to get training in choral techniques, keyboard skills, music theory/sightsinging, working with different age groups and learning to work with instrumental groups.

I think he offered some excellent advice to those who are training now for full time music ministry.  I know that in my years of local church work over the past 25 years, I have seen a lot of change in the methods we use in music ministry.  This is bound to continue to change and probably at a faster rate.  Will it go back to a more traditional choral setting or will it move onto to some new contemporary expression?  It is hard to know so the student who develops a wide variety of skills will be well equipped for the Lord to use in future ministry.

 I would encourage  you to check out Jim Faull’s website (www.jimfaull.com) where he gives information on the music software he has developed.  The Worship Planner software is a wonderful tool for the local church music minister.  I highly recommend it.

 Each semester in our Applied Ministry class at Southern Seminary we read and discuss books on spiritual leadership and ministry.  This semester we have been using the book, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry as a basis for our discussion on ministry in the local church.  This book was written by John Piper in 2002 (published by Broadman and Holman, ISBN0-8054-2620-5).  Piper has been the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota since 1980.  The book is divided into 30 short chapters and discusses topics such as “Brothers, God Loves His Glory; Brothers, God is Love; Brothers, Let Us Pray; Brothers, Fight for Your Life; and Brothers, Let us Query the Text.”

Though the chapters are short, the content of the chapters is quite deep.  Piper has written a wonderful book aimed at pastors calling them back to prayer, study of God’s Word, and the hard tasks of pastoring the flock of God.  The purpose of the book Piper says is “to spread a radical, pastoral passion for the supremacy and centrality of the crucified and risen God-Man, Jesus Christ, in every sphere of life and ministry and culture.” (xi)

In the first chapter titled “Brothers, We Are Not Professionals,”  Piper states that ”pastors are being killed by the professionalizing of the pastoral ministry … The more professional we long to be, the more spiritual death we will leave in our wake.” (1)  Piper quotes E.M. Bounds who states that ”the preacher … is not the professional man; his ministry is not a profession; it is a divine institution, a divine devotion.”

Piper contrasts the professional business man with the spiritual leader.  He states that “the pastor’s first business is to pant after God in prayer. Our business is to weep over our sins (James 4:9).  Is there professional weeping? Our business is to strain forward to the holiness of Christ and the prize of the upward call of God (Phil. 3:14); to pummel our bodies and subdue them lest we be cast away (I Cor. 9:27); to deny ourselves and take up the blood-spattered cross daily (Luke 9:23). How do you carry a cross professionally?…Brothers, we are not professionals!  We are outcasts. We are aliens in this world (I Peter 2:11). Our citizenship is in heaven, and we wait with eager expectation for the Lord (Phil 3:20).  The aims of our ministry are eternal and spiritual.  They are not shared by any of the professions….The world sets the agenda of the professional man; God sets the agenda of the spiritual man.”(2,3).

Piper closes this chapter with a prayer to “banish professionalism from our midst …. and in its place put passionate prayer, poverty of spirit, hunger for God, rigorous study of holy things, white-hot devotion to Jesus Christ, utter indifference to all material gain, and unremitting labor to rescue the perishing, perfect the saints, and glorify the sovereign Lord.” (4)

The book shows Piper’s passion for the pastoral ministry.  It is a convicting and challenging book with topics that will cause you to ponder for some time.  I think it is a must read for every pastor who needs to be reminded of the priorities of the pastoral ministry.  That would include most of us.  How easy it is to be sidetracked in the midst of ministry!