Biblical Worship

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!

In his book Spiritual Leadership Oswald Sanders states that Jesus defined leadership as service.  The true leader is concerned primarily for the welfare of others, not with his own comfort or prestige.  Sanders quotes an intereresting list of leadership rules written by Archbishop Edward White Benson who was the archbishop of Canterbury for a number years in the late 1800’s.  Here is Benson’s list for the leader:

• Eagerly start the day’s work.
• Do not murmur at your busyness or the shortness of time, but buy up the time all around.
• Never murmur when correspondence is brought in.
• Never exaggerate duties by seeming to suffer under the load, but treat all responsibilities as liberty and gladness.
• Never call attention to crowded work or trivial experiences.
• Before confrontation or censure, obtain from God a real love for the one at fault.  Know the facts; be generous in your judgment.  Otherwise, how ineffective, how unintelligible or perhaps provocative your well-intentioned censure may be.
• Do not believe everything you hear; do not spread gossip.
• Do not seek praise, gratitude, respect, or regard for past service.
• Avoid complaining when your advice or opinion is not consulted, or having been consulted, set aside.
• Never allow yourself to be placed in favorable contrast with anyone.
• Do not press conversation to your own needs and concerns.
• Seek no favors, nor sympathies; do not ask for tenderness, but receive what comes.
• Bare the blame; do not share it or transfer it.
• Give thanks for credit for your own work or ideas is given to another.

Sanders reminds us that Archbishop Benson did live in a different era, but his rules for life carry relevance today. 

 The Sanders book on Spiritual Leadership is a great book for those in ministry or in secular leadership.  It is twenty-two short chapters on timely leadership topics. (Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer, Moody Press, 1994, ISBN  0-8024-6799-7).

 Recently, I have been reading a book by well-known preacher and author, John MacArthur called The Book on Leadership (Nelson Books, 2004, ISBN 0-7852-6251-2).  The book takes a fresh approach to the qualities of a leader by examining the life of the Apostle Paul as seen in Acts and Paul’s Epistles. 

MacArthur believes “it’s a serious mistake for Christians in leadership to pass over biblical examples of leadership and turn instead to secular models of leadership in pursuit of style-obsessed formulae they think will make them better leaders.” (vii)  Christian leadership books that look at business models “uncritically accept whatever seems to produce ’success’ as a good model for church leaders to imitate.” (vii)  MacArthur continues to state that you do not “become a spiritual leader by studying the techniques of corporate CEOs.  You can’t exemplify biblical leadership and follow the trends of Madison Avenue at the same time….True spiritual leadership is all about character, not style.” (viii).

The book is divided into four sections:  (1) Paul in Chains: Leadership in Action, (2) Paul in Corinth: Leadership Under Fire, (3) An Approved Workman: Leadership Held to a Biblical Standard, and (4) Epilogue: The Measure of a Leader’s Success.  As MacArthur discusses specific occurrences in Paul’s life and teaching, he lists 26 specific leadership principles applicable for leaders today.  I recommend this leadership book to all those who are active in leadership roles in the church. 

Leadership Principles from the Life of Paul (from MacArthur’s The Book of Leadership).

1. A leader is trustworthy

2. A leader takes the initiative.

3. A leader uses good judgment.

4.  A leader speaks with authority.

5.  A leader strengthens others.

6. A leader is optimistic and enthusiastic.

7.  A leader never compromises the absolutes.

8.  A leader focuses on objectives, not obstacles.

9.  A leader empowers by example.

10.  A leader cultivates loyalty.

11.  A leader has empathy for others.

12.  A leader keeps a clear conscience.

13.  A leader is definite and decisive.

14.  A leader knows when to change his mind.

15.  A leader does not abuse his authority.

16.  A leader doesn’t abdicate his role in the face of opposition.

17.  A leader is sure of his calling.

18.  A leader knows his own limitations.

19.  A leader is resilient.

20.  A leader is passionate.

21.  A leader is courageous.

22.  A leader is discerning.

23.  A leader is disciplined.

24.  A leader is energetic.

25.  A leader knows how to delegate.

26.  A leader is Christlike.

Pick up a copy of MacArthur’s book and see the biblical foundations and applications for each of these principles.

My family traveled through a number of metropolitan areas on our trek to see relatives over the holidays.  In several of the cities where we traveled I noticed billboards that were advertisements for churches.  In most all of them the picture of the senior pastor (and sometimes his wife) was extremely prominent on the billboard.  Since I have been reading a book called Humility-True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney (Multnomah, 2005, ISBN1-59052-326-1), these billboards made me wonder about what they were really communicating. 

Billboards with pictures of pastors are probably trying to let commuters know that a particular church has a friendly, warm pastor who cares about people including non-members.  To me though these pictures speak strongly of self-promotion on the part of the pastors.  How can a pastor allow a large picture of himself to be prominently displayed on a billboard on a crowded interstate highway?

I believe that ministers (pastors, worship pastors and other ministers) must constantly be watching for evidence of pride and self-promotion.   As Mahaney shares in his book, “all Christian service exists only to draw attention to this source - to our crucified and risen Lord who gave Himself as a ransom for us all.” (48)  We should always be on our guard to make sure that the attention and glory of our ministries goes to the Lord.   Who is receiving the glory in our churches today?  Is it the pastor, worship leader or soloist or is it the Lord Almighty?

Jonathan Edwards spoke of pride as “the worst viper that is in the heart” and “the greatest disturber of the soul’s peace and sweet communion with Christ.”  It is “the most hidden secret and deceitful of all lusts.”  Mahaney states that Edwards thought spiritual pride was “the greatest cause of the premature ending of the Great Awakening.” (34)  Another interesting quote talks about pride in the church: “Pride ruins pastors and churches more than any other thing.  It is more insidious in the church than radon in the home.”  (a quote from Mike Renihan in Mahaney’s book, 35)

The true example of humility in ministry is our Lord Jesus Christ who stated that he did not come to be served but to serve.  Philippians chapter 2 reminds us that Jesus “who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Mahaney states that “in every step of Christian growth and maturity, and throughout every aspect of our Christian obedience and service, our greatest foe is pride and our greatest ally is humility.” (64)  He believes that one practical way to guard against pride and self-promotion is to focus on the cross.  Mahaney quotes Martin Lloyd-Jones: “There is one thing I know of that crushes me to the ground and humiliates me to the dust, and that is to look at the Son of God, and especially contemplate the cross. Nothing else can do it. When I see that I am a sinner… that nothing but the Son of God on the cross can save me, I’m humbled to the dust…. Nothing but the cross can give us this spirit of humility.” (66)  Dr. Carl Henry, well known evangelical theologian who was a brilliant but  very humble man, when asked how he had remained humble for so many decades stated: “how can anyone be arrogant when he stands beside the cross?” (68)

 Humility for the minister is a constant struggle.  Those who are in prominent places of leadership must be on guard to be servant leaders, humble and obedient to the Lord.  I find it a struggle in my own life as a minister and teacher.  I highly recommend this book by C.J. Mahaney of Sovereign Grace Ministries and encourage you to pick up a copy.  It is a short book that could be read in one or two reading sessions.