The Worship Musician's Ministry By Paul Armesin The worship service is not only a musical activity but more importantly, a spiritual experience. One of the reasons why church musicians come and go is the lack of Biblical understanding regarding the ministry they are called to. Without a proper perspective, we would usually fall to the trap of self-seeking performance; unable to balance skill and spirituality.The worship musician’s ministry is Biblical.It is a ministry…1.OF THE FLOW OF GODThe first musician ever mentioned in the Bible is Jubal (Hebrew “Yuval”, means stream, creek or river) in Genesis 4:19-21. One of the most evident characteristics of a river is… it flows. To flow means to move freely from one place to another in a steady unbroken stream. A movement that is spontaneous, natural and unplanned. It is an expression, an outflow from the worshipper’s heart. It is free, open and unbounded and Spirit-directed. (2 Corinthians3:17) 2.OF SERVANTHOODNow these are the men whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after the ark came to rest. They were ministering with music before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem , and they served in their office according to their order. 1 Chronicles 6:31-32
The Levites were appointed by King David “over the service of song in the house of the Lord”. They were “ministering”… and they “served”. In verse 48, it says that they were appointed to “every kind of service” in the tabernacle. Basically they are temple servants.
As modern day Levites, this should be our pattern. Let us always remember that we are servants. We serve the congregation, the lead worshipper, our team mates… we serve our God. We are a support ministry and it’s not about us or the things that we can do with our instrument. Let us develop a servant character. (Philippians 2:3-4)3.OF CREATIVITYIn the beginning, God created… and he saw it was good. Our ability to create even our capacity to appreciate beauty in art came from the Almighty God who formed us in His image. Psalms 33:3, 40:3, 149:1 encourages us to sing to the Lord a NEW song. Let us use this God given capability to put together something new and fresh to glory of the Source of all creativity.4.OF EXCELLENCEAll these were under the direction of their father for the music in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the authority of the king. So the number of them, with their brethren who were instructed in the songs of the LORD, all who were skilful, was two hundred and eighty-eight. 1 Chronicles 25:6-7They were “instructed in the songs of the Lord”, meaning they were trained and prepared for this particular task. They were mentored by their fathers who were lead musicians appointed by King David. They were skilful and far from being mediocre music ministers. Psalm 33:3 instructs us to play skilfully because; I believe quality is also important to God. Let us not misrepresent the Glorious God we worship by substandard worship, lacking in preparation and discipline.5.OF DELIVERANCEKing Saul, in 1 Samuel 16:14 – 23 was troubled by a distressing spirit because the Spirit of the Lord departed from him. Agreeing with his servant’s suggestion, he commanded them to look for a man who is skilful in playing the harp and they took David the son of Jesse. David played refreshing music before the king.
… that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. 1 Samuel 16:23
As worship musicians, let us desire to be God’s instruments of inspiration and deliverance to congregation we serve.6.OF SPIRITUAL WARFAREKing Jehoshaphat knew that there is power in praise. When the Moabites and the Ammonites came to wage war against them in 2 Chronicles 20, after being assured by God’s word through the prophet Jehaziel, He appointed those who should sing to the Lord and who should sing the beauty of His holiness (verse 20)… so the “worship team” went out BEFORE the army of Judah. “They came… with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets” (verse 28). With praise as our weapon, victory is certain because the enemy cannot survive in this atmosphere.7.OF PROPHETIC RELEASEMoreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals. 1 Chronicles 25:1
In 2 Kings Chapter 3, when the kings Jehoram and Jehoshaphat went up against Moab and compelled Elisha to give a prophetic word. Initially reluctant, he asked for a musician to “set the mood” for prophecy and a musician backed him up.…“But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. And he said, “Thus says the LORD… 2 Kings 3: 15-16a There’s really more to this ministry than just playing. Psalm 150 is not a request. Not even a suggestion. It is a command. Let these principles be put to heart by every worship musician that we may be effective ministers for His glory. Let the Lord be glorified with our instruments, with our service and with our lives. JAM tayo!
