Discipleship Requirements for Ministering Musicians Isaiah 38:20 The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD. In the articles; Divine Order for Ministry in the Sanctuary and Practical Guidelines for Successful Praise and Worship Teams, I have outlined the scriptural guidelines, requirements, and qualifications for those who are appointed as musicians in the house of God to lead in praise and worship of God. It is important to note that the scriptural patterns set forth by David when he established a rather huge team of musicians consisting of 288 eight musicians, ordained to offer up sacrifices of praise continually in the house of God, were based upon the Levitical laws of priesthood. If we who are ordained as musicians in the house of God were to commit to the Levitical laws, we would have many more requirements to meet than we could ever achieve. Jesus Christ fulfilled all of the Law, including the Levitical laws of priesthood. Those appointed by David were the equivalent of deacons and elders of the New Testament Church and the requirements that Paul gives for deacons and elders in I Timothy and Titus under the new covenant are based upon the spirit of the Law and not the letter of the law. However those who serve in the house of God as such are held to a higher standard of conduct. This is a standard of conduct that is acquired through discipleship, proving, and maturity. We should understand that being held to a higher standard of conduct as an elder or deacon does NOT set such a one up as a higher order of priesthood. Under the new covenant, we are ALL priests unto God. I Timothy 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Proven how and in what? In being a servant, in conduct, being full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom and full of faith. In Acts Chapter six we find that the deacons were servants waiting tables and ministering to widows. They were full of the Holy Ghost and as such not given to pride or self. They had wisdom and were full of faith, meaning that they were knowledgeable in the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. In Titus chapter 1 we find that Paul held such a person to know sound doctrine and in I Timothy chapter 3 we find that he held such a person to hold the mystery of the faith, again knowing the Word of God. My first opportunity at ministering in the house of God was preceded by a time of proving that I was faithful to serve in any area, able to teach the Word, and willing to be taught. I was sat down a time or two for proving otherwise. Such a person should not be a novice. This means the person should not be one who has not had sufficient discipleship, not knowing doctrine, not knowing how to be a servant or not having proved one’s self worthy of ministry. I I Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. An undiscipled novice will be lifted up with pride if they enter in to ministry. This has been the down fall of every person who has entered into ministry without discipleship and a time of proving and maturity. Pride in one person will destroy the effectiveness of an entire worship team. If there is contention and strife among the members of any ministry team, it is only due to pride. Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Proverbs 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife A person with a proud spirit will be contentious. They will boast of their own abilities and seek for others to meet their expectations. They will strive over petty issues rather than seek unity. The spirit of pride will open the door to other members of the team to also become contentious. This is exactly the reason that praise and worship teams need to spend much time in prayer, ministry and worship together during practice sessions. Proverbs 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. Psalms 31:19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! 20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. God will always resist and confront the proud. Sooner or later a proud minister, musician or leader will always be found out. When it happens, they become defensive and begin to speak contentions, striving and complaining. Pride is easily offended. Pride is self-incriminating because pride assumes “It’s all about me.” Therefore the first person to jump up in defense is usually the one with pride issues. On the other hand, God himself is a refuge and a protector of the truly humble and hides them from the strife of tongues and the words of the proud. Such a person should know the Word of God and sound doctrine. Ministers in the house of God, specifically musicians and worship leaders must be sound in Word of God and in doctrine. (Titus 1:9, I Timothy 3:2 and 9) There are numerous songs being sung in the churches today that are unscriptural or out of context, but more importantly those ministering in music are to be instructed in the songs of the Lord. (I Chronicles 25:7) This enables them to lead the assembly of believers in singing spiritual songs. Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; |