1 Corinthians 12:18-20: 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
Remember, your best role is where you are both talented AND passionate.
Okay, so what if someone is in a role in which they think they are talented, but they really are not? I think the answer first starts with the relationship. You must have a solid friendship with that person first. Trust must be earned and built over time: this is the foundation of every relationship.
After a strong friendship (with trust) is built, you not only have the clout but also the responsibility to lovingly share the truth with your friend. But be careful to consider their temperament: fashion your statement to add the most value to that person. Last week I heard one of the best quotes ever (besides the Bible) "The kindest form of management is the truth."
Think about it: how many of us watch American Idol and cringe when the worst singer on the planet says, "lots of people tell me I sing beautifully." Simon then promptly squashes them like a bug. Don't be too hard on Simon, by the way. Think about all the friends and family who did not have the character to share the truth with kindness. How much better would it be to say, "I'm not sure singing is the best role for you. Would you consider that you are much better at this...."
Instead, consider how each person has a unique talent that can only be fully utilized when they close the door on something in which they are not talented. How well did Michael Jordan play baseball? Yikes. It was only after he closed the door on his baseball career that the Chicago Bulls won a historic 72 games in a season and 3 more championships. Yes, even the great Michael Jordan was passionate about something, but obviously not as talented.
Agree? Disagree? Come on, post your comments. I dare ya :) http://fccworshipministry.blogspot.com/
4 comments:
Okay, so are you surprised Phill that I'm taking the dare??(:
When serving in a ministry and/or serving for God do you have to be talented to be passionate?? I know you've probably talked about this. But if someone is passionate about worship but can't sing are you really sure God doesn't want them leading worship?? I mean it is all about the heart isn't it?? Not about the outward appearance. If the person's heart is in it as they are leading God can do amazing things. And the opposite - if they don't have their heart in it as they are leading it can bring things down.
I am with Amy. I don't feel God cares what we sound like. Just as long as our heart is in the right place. I know I probably don't sound the best but I sing because I want to please God. He says we are to make a joyful noise unto Him and I feel that is what a lot of us are doing when we sing in the choir. We are there to please God and no one else (at least that is what I am there for). So, just because I am not perfect at singing I don't feel I should have to give up singing. Besides there are no pefect people that I know of. The only one that can feel those shoes is Jesus. So, all we can do is give our best and I feel that is all God is asking for. So, we should All plan on making a joyful noise for God!
This concept obviously has different applications for different church "ministries." First of all, the early church didn't have a checklist of 80 "ministry-options" like we do now. Christians 2000 years ago were much less concerned about who was going to be singing on stage. :-) So I'm not sure that we should apply the Corinthians body metaphor to everything we do. I imagine the nursery at church would be happy to have my help, regardless of how "passionate" about it I am.
But here we are talking about music, and in particular, leading music for worship services within a church congregation. And with how the church is fairly centered around the Sunday morning service, it seems logical that, if you have a deep talent pool, you want to have talented musicians leading the music.
I might be passionate about playing the violin, but I have no idea how to do so. I would challenge ANYONE to be able to sing along to a song while I was screeching along to it on the violin. Would Jesus enjoy hearing me play, if I was passionate and doing it for him? Sure. Maybe. But no one else would want to hear it!
When a local church grows, the talent requirements for singing and playing rise along with it. It's inevitable. It's the law of supply and demand. I might be good enough at the guitar to play in a church of 200 or 1200, but I probably wouldn't be good enough to play in a church of 3000. There would just be too many other good guitarists. And they don't need nine guitarists on stage.
That doesn't mean I have to give up the guitar. It just means I will find other outlets to play it.
I totally agree with scott. I believe that God wants us to sing and worship him as much and as often as we can but in each individual's own way. Think about the american idol auditions that come on every season. Everyone can't wait to watch and laugh at all the people that think they can sing but can't. It's awful to hear some of them sing for what seems to drag on forever and ever. Are these the singers you want leading worship on sundays?? To be out in public and hear someone say that the music ministry at fccn is horrible. I am proud of phill and what he has done for our music ministry. So, I challenge everyone to search deep inside themselves and find there true talent whether it be music, leadership, teaching,etc. and do the best that you can do with all the passion that God has given you :)
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