Serving Without Recognition
POSTED IN: Blog Posts, Makes You Think
I’ve been reading some stuff by Keith Green lately (you may remember his video I posted last week). While I may not necessarily agree with everything he said there is no denying his passion for Christ and his desire to spread the gospel at any cost.
Keith wrote this addressing people trying to get into music ministry but I think it’s applicable to all of us. The first time I read this it was like a slap in the face. Not the bad kind…the kind your friend gives you when you’re being stupid and need to snap out of it.
Today, so many people ask me if I can tell them how they can start or enter into a music ministry. At concerts I get countless questions about this, and I also get lots of letters and even some long-distance phone calls from many people who feel they are only “called” into the music “ministry.”
One day I began to ask myself why so few have ever asked me how to become a missionary, or even a local street preacher, or how to disciple a new believer. It seems everyone would prefer the “bright lights” of what they think a music ministry would be, rather than the mud and obscurity of the mission field, or the streets of the ghetto, or even the true spiritual sweetness of just being a nobody whom the Lord uses mightily in small “everyday” ways.
My answer to their question is almost always the same. “Are you willing to never play music again? Are you willing to be a nothing? Are you willing to go anywhere and do anything for Christ? Are you willing to stay right where you are and let the Lord do great things through you, though no one may seem to notice at all?”
They all seem to answer each of these questions with a quick “yes!” But I really doubt if they know what their answer entails.
Ouch.
Am I willing to serve in obscurity if God calls me to? Or am I too busy seeking the spotlight for Him to use me?
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Visit My Website
September 10, 2009
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Um… ouch. I want the answer to be yes to all of those questions, but I’m afraid some would be lies.
Visit My Website
September 10, 2009
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being inovled in music ministry myself, that struck a pretty personal chord with me–no pun intended…
There are moments where I find myself focused more on things like playing the right notes, adding a killer bass fill in just right the spot, or making sure I have a cool outfit clean for Sunday morning than I am entering and leading others into a true atmosphere of worship.
I doubt there’s anyone in music ministry or any other “out-in-front” position who doesn’t struggle with that on occasion. The hard part is being able to identify it, admit it, and seek forgiveness for abusing one’s talents for personal gain instead of using them solely to further the Kingdom.
Visit My Website
September 10, 2009
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Good words!
Visit My Website
September 10, 2009
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It’s interesting that you bring this up. I think a lot of people avoid serving because at times they want to do what they want to do and not necessarily what God wants them to do. It’s why I cringe when people say, “I’m waiting for God to reveal His will for my life” as if God is standing there in Heaven with a sign behind His back just waiting for the opportune moment to show us.
It’s self centered thinking. Andy Stanley taught it very easily. Understand God’s providential will and his moral will and his will for your life will be as bright as the sun.
Our church has had a serious issue with getting people to serve. When you look around, many of the same people are serving in multiple areas because other people aren’t stepping up for whatever reason. Our church is doing something pretty radical this weekend to show people how important it is to serve and that we cannot expect the same people to do everything.
There will be no parking attendants, no greeters, no ushers, nobody at the kiosks to check kids in, no band (our worship pastor is going to come in 5-10 mins late and play 2 songs on the piano), no media, no sound, and when our Pastor finishes the service he is going to ask if anybody can help with the collection. Will this work? We’ll see.
Visit My Website
September 10, 2009
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Man that is good…with wanting to be in this kind of ministry his words are a tough kick is the face with a fist of God’s tough love……
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September 17, 2009
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What a kick in the pants. I’m way too obsessed with “being recognized” or “being famous.” Good grief, I need to shut up and do what God is pleased with, not what makes me “known”. Daggum.
Visit My Website
September 17, 2009
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I think that may very well be the first time anyone has said “daggum” on my site.