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A story was told of an 11 year old girl who became famous in town using what she never knew she had.The pastor of their very small church asked her to sing a solo for the evening service. I’m not sure why he took that chance on an 11- year-old girl, but he did. She squeaked through the song and started to sit down, feeling totally embarrassed.
The pastor stopped her and made her get up stage and to do it all over again. By then she had more confidence, and it went better. She didn’t even know much about singing, and certainly nothing about ministry, but that was the start of her ministry of singing for the Lord. Since that time she has sung many times and has picked up a few things along the way. This can be your own story.
Here are a few practical suggestions to help distinguish between truly ministering and just singing a song.
It is understood that you are a born again believer in Jesus Christ as your Savior, but is there any sin in your heart that would hinder the Spirit’s working? God may choose to minister in spite of a dirty vessel, but why should that even be an option? This is one of the reasons I am so thankful that God has given me a ministry of singing—it constrains me to confess my sins and walk the straight and narrow path. Make sure you are a Spirit-filled singer.
More so, the Choice of Music is another important factor.
Pray over and think through your choice of music. I have gone through many pieces of music only to reject them and start over. The music must be God-honoring. The melody, harmony, accompaniment, and whole structure of the piece should be interesting enough to compel people to listen. It should also be simple enough that people can follow the melody and “get it” upon first hearing. The accompaniment should not overwhelm the words. The music should go hand in hand with the words. The words are all-important. You are communicating divine truth!The best pieces are, of course, straight Scripture. But finding the right tune to fit the Scripture is sometimes difficult.
Also consider the occasion for which you will be singing. Is it a church picnic? An evening evangelistic service? A morning worship service? At our church, for instance, the soloist’s special music in the morning worship service should be about the person or work of Jesus Christ. A soloist who truly communicates can have a profound impact on the service. Singing about the Lord is a good goal for every service, not just for Sunday morning. Testimonial songs are fine, but they tend to focus on what the Lord has done for me. Do not make man the focus. Sing about the Lord, not about yourself.
Be selective. A lot of music out there has a nugget of truth in it and repeats that nugget over and over—and that is about all. If the words do not have enough “meat” in them, look for something with a message that some people can hold on to and take home with them. Be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. Many times a certain song will go through my head for months. I pray about it and ask the Lord if He would have me sing it for the next special song. Many times the answer is yes. Sometimes the music is chosen for you. Sometimes the season narrows your choice. If it is six days before Christmas, everyone expects a Christmas song. Usually, however, you have to make the choice. Choose prayerfully a song that will genuinely minister.
Watch out for the next episode. Until then, Which would you rather prefer: a Minister/ a Singer?
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