It has been awhile since my last post- it would appear that July is just one of those crazy, hectic months! I officially started my new job as the Music Coordinator at Berean Church, and it is going really well. It isn't without challenges and there is a gigantic learning curve, but I am blessed to have two amazing mentors that are so willing to counsel me and talk through ideas. The article below is something I needed to write for our monthly/quarterly (I'm not sure how often it comes out...) church newsletter. It is supposed to be a picture of what I think is important about worship, why I am passionate about it, and how I am going to encourage the congregation. I love talking about worship and hearing new ideas, so if you have something to comment, I would love to hear it!
“My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding.
I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:”
Psalm 49:3-4 (NIV)
I love this Psalm- I think it explains exactly what I love about worship. First and foremost, you can clearly see that music was part of the Israelite’s worship in the Old Testament. It isn’t something we have developed over the years until we are where we are today. It is a sanctioned form of praise from the Father himself. When the temple was constructed by Solomon in Jerusalem, God speaks specifically to the Levites who had musical talent, and had them form groups for leading worship. Since the Levites lived all over Israel, they were divided into groups, each taking a month to live in Jerusalem and work in the temple:
All these men were under the supervision of their fathers for the music of the temple of the LORD, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the LORD—they numbered 288. Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties. 2 Chronicles 25: 6-8 (NIV)
My friends, when we sing on Sunday morning, we are taking part in a form of worship instituted by God himself! In this passage, God speaks directly to this aspect of our church service. The musicians were mentored (I mentor the team, and I also have mentors, including Will and Travis), the musicians and the instruments were to be used for ministry (worship music is a ministry!), and the musicians were trained and skilled. They pursued excellence. I am so excited to be a part of it- and to have the privilege of leading the worship team. I am absolutely passionate about leading others to experience God through song. We love music because God loves music- and we are made in His image.
The second reason that I love the Psalm above is the reason why I think David wrote it. When he had trouble understanding what God was asking, or a Scripture, he turned to music to gain insight. We do this today. When we want to memorize something, we use a catchy tune- like the ABC’s. I want to incorporate what David teaches us, that is my goal on Sunday mornings. I want our music to be so filled with Scripture that you are memorizing it and writing it on your heart because you are singing it for the rest of the week. When music is chosen for Sunday mornings, it should solve the biggest “riddle” our world faces. We will expound the “riddle” of our salvation. When each person leaves Berean after a service, I want the music to have given them a full picture of our God, our Savior, and the Spirit who delights to live within us.
