This led into a conversation about playing at church. Which led into what kind of education did I have for music. Which led into not-so-subtle hints about the blessing of professional musicians in the church. Which led into comparing relatives and friends with natural musical talent and the amazing, wonderful, bountiful blessing they are.
I answered the questions as honestly as I could. But with each answer, our houseguest’s excitement visibly faded with the realization that I was an imposter. No lessons past an intermediate level. No college degree in music. Minimal “playing by ear”. I could see the wheels turning as he tried to understand how in the world I was playing for church when I was clearly not a professional musician.
Finally, he asked the dreaded question, “Would you play something?”
By now, I’m feeling no bigger than an earthworm in the garden out back. Flashbacks of being 10 years old at a Christmas recital playing a Level 2 version of “Joy to the World”. Of being 15 years old at a family reunion and asking a cousin to sit beside me on the bench to “turn the pages” even though my piece doesn’t require it. Of being a grown woman and crying in the bathroom after an embarrassing electric keyboard malfunction in the middle of church.
And now in my living room, whatever confidence I did have is now smashed to pieces. Shame rises to the occasion, stuttering, “I only play the basics, it’s not that great, I’d rather not.”
Awkward silence. Then our guest smiles and changes the subject.
At that moment, I’m so ashamed. Even though I love playing the piano, I have no qualifications or natural talent to boast in. And I retreat in silence.
EXPECTATIONS
This isn’t the first time these insecurities have pushed me down. Any time I visit other churches or hear another pianist play, I watch whether they play chord style or by the hymnal; if they improvise the prelude or have a stack of piano arrangements nearby; if they change keys half-way through; if they sing as they play; and on and on it goes.
I’ve tried to imitate what I’ve heard because that must be how you’re supposed to play in church. Which leads to frustration because I’m simply lacking in education and talent and confidence. Which leads to wondering if my unprofessional ability factors into the reason visitors don’t return. Which leads to viewing myself as temporary until someone better comes along.
Which skews the bigger truth of who God uses to serve in His church.
You see, the problem isn’t me or my abilities. The problem is my assumption that because professionals do it better, then that must be how it should be in the church too. But God doesn’t work like this. God’s kingdom is completely upside-down to our worldly expectations.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 puts it well,
For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. [emphasis added]
Why am I trying so hard to be the opposite of who God chooses to work with? The idea that only “professionals” can preach, or play the musical instruments, or teach children’s Sunday School, or help in the nursery, or do the bookkeeping, or set up chairs in the sanctuary, is not only unbiblical but also falsely represents God’s character.
Don’t get me wrong here. I’m NOT saying that people with natural or professional talent can’t serve in church. I’m incredibly thankful that many Christians with degrees and experience also use those blessings to the glory of God within the church! I’m also NOT saying that because God is impartial in saving and sanctifying sinners He also automatically qualifies men and women for equal roles within the church. God has designed different roles within the church just as He has designed different roles within marriage.
What I am saying is that any form of preferential treatment within the church blatantly opposes the gospel. Anything we have to offer in and of ourselves, including natural talent, should never automatically qualify service within the church.
I wonder how many people hesitate to serve in the church simply because the atmosphere is one of professionals leading the way. As Christians, I believe we are too quick to step aside because of our insecurities and lack of natural talent.
These past few years of playing the piano full-time during the worship service have taught me some valuable lessons about what it means to serve within the church. Here are three things to remember:
1. It’s not about me.
We often forget that the church is God’s church, not ours, and that He has created the church to be a body of many members dependent on each another in submission to the Head in order to function well (1 Cor. 12). God has called each one of His people to serve within the church as He sees fit (Eph. 4:11-13; Gal. 5:13; Heb. 10:24-25). The church is not about boosting our personal career or building an identity around a church leader or preferred music style. The church is not about us.
Rather, serving within the church is about the glory of God alone. As 1 Peter 4:10-11 says,
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. [emphasis added]
I’m naturally a “background” kind of person and will set up chairs, vacuum carpets, clean tables, and entertain children in the nursery all day long. But welcoming visitors I might never see again? Showing hospitality to strangers? Playing the piano in front of the church? Leading a women’s Bible study? Organizing meals for a sick family? There’s definitely a need for someone to do these things, but surely not me. I’m not naturally gifted in these areas. I’m fine way back here.
The apostle Paul also experienced this tension between natural gifting and God’s call to serve. I’ve always assumed he was a natural public speaker because he was so bold, but I’ve come to realize that often the most gifted writers and apologists are also some of the least naturally gifted. Yet by faith, Paul obeyed God’s call to preach the gospel even though it was “in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:3-5)
Do you realize how freeing this is? God isn’t limited to our natural talents. He isn’t limited to our bank accounts or college education or physical abilities. God calls His people to serve and supplies their ability to do it. Stepping out in faith and obedience to serve in areas we might not be naturally gifted in (under the guidance of the elders, of course) causes us to rely on God’s wisdom and God’s strength. Which is exactly where we need to be.
Instead of deferring to the professionals, God chooses to honor weak, insignificant, uneducated nobodies as key servants in His kingdom, because it’s not about us.
2. Just because someone more “gifted” comes along doesn’t necessarily make our service obsolete.
Often people who are naturally gifted in certain areas automatically assume that this is also their special area of service within the church. And there’s nothing wrong with using those natural talents to the glory of God. The problem comes when the naturally gifted assume a position while simultaneously pushing others to the side, as though they have a right to serve in this area simply because they can do it better.
God confronts this form of pride within the church. In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus says,
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” [emphasis added]
Jesus was the most qualified, “naturally talented” individual to ever live. He walked on water, miraculously multiplied food for 5,000 people, cast out demons, healed the sick, raised people from the dead, and procured our salvation. Yet He emphasized what true greatness in the kingdom of God looked like through His example as a suffering Servant.
For those who serve, when we serve half-heartedly “until someone more gifted comes along to replace me”, we are reverting to the old way of trusting in our abilities rather than serving as to the Lord. When service becomes “a burden we must bear”, our motivation has changed from serving Christ to serving self
For the recipients of other people’s service in the church, when we view unskilled servants as temporary “until someone more skilled comes along” we’ve placed unbiblical and even hurtful expectations on the sacrifice behind their willingness to serve. Treating other Christians as disposable is a self-centered approach to church body life and we are no better than those in James 2:1-7 who pushed the poor aside in favor of the rich.
It is so important that the primary expectation for serving within the church is a personal, humble walking with the Lord in repentance and faith, not talent or experience. As 1 Corinthians 12:24b-25 reminds us, But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
God gives “more abundant honor” to those who lack. He doesn’t replace them. He doesn’t push them to the side. And neither should we.
3. Serving in the church is often a means of grace (and that’s the point).
Our heart’s desire should be to serve God in serving His people. This is His church, His strength, His grace. The music ministry is just one of many places where His people can serve. Deep down, I cling to the truth that I am nothing without Christ, yet so easily my heart deceives me into thinking that “I am nothing without this ministry”. And I know I’m not the only one.
Contrary to popular church culture, the term “music leader” isn’t a biblical title or office. There are only two offices within the church: elder and deacon (1 Tim. 3:1-13). As sheep within the larger flock, we are under the guidance and protection of our elders and are called to “obey our leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).
It is a special temptation for musicians to deceive themselves into thinking they’re the only ones qualified to lead in music ministry; they’re the only ones who truly understand God’s vision here. Musicians are naturally opinionated about music because music is often an outlet for the very depths of our emotions. It communicates who we are.
But when our church leaders exercise authority even here, the truth of a musician’s heart is revealed. If their heart is secure in truth, the musician willingly defers to the authority of the church as to Christ. But if their heart feels threatened, suddenly the many idols of pride, self-promotion, personal agenda, selfishness, and all the short-tempered dragons of My Little Kingdom rear their ugly heads.
Where is your heart? Where is my heart? Evaluate it for yourself by asking the following questions. How do I respond:
· When a pastor requests different songs than the ones I prefer to play?
· When a pastor steps into “my” sphere and directs the music ministry even though he has little musical education or experience?
· When a pastor welcomes other members to serve in the music ministry and my role changes or lessens?
· When my superior talent is given equal opportunity with lesser talent?
· When I’m asked to step down because of ongoing unrepentant sin in my life?
· When different music styles or instruments threaten the way I’ve always done it?
· When I’m tempted to go find another church who will appreciate my abilities?
Don’t get me wrong here. There’s nothing wrong with healthy discussion and keeping those avenues of communication clear. Sometimes church leaders don’t understand everything involved in playing music for the congregation and it’s healthy to bounce those perspectives and concerns off one another.
But if your response is immediate anger or resistance or conflict because you perceive a line has been crossed, this should be a red flag. A transformation has taken place. Something good has morphed into an idol, and this idol has become the motivation rather than the glory of God.
God cares more about our hearts than our positions in ministry. Numbers in the fan club, shiny technology, and fame meant nothing to the Savior who welcomed lepers, slept on fishing boats, and associated with outcasts. When we place a higher priority on our position than the condition of our heart, we hypocritically forsake the very gospel we proclaim (Jam. 4:1-6).
Jesus frequently rebuked the religious leaders who “outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly … are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matt. 23:28). Serving in the church is more than whatever we’re doing. It’s also a means of grace in which God exposes our hearts and reminds us of our need for the gospel. How we respond to this exposure reveals which kingdom we’re laboring in.
The kingdom of God isn’t built on natural talent. If you’re not serving in your local church because you don’t know what your spiritual gifts are, then you’re doing it backwards. Serve where there are needs, and God will reveal your spiritual gifts as He supplies what you lack.
CONCLUSION
As I waved goodbye to our overnight guests later that morning, I was suddenly reminded of the rest of the context:
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:31). [emphasis added]
For a brief moment, I had been crushed by the world’s expectations. But in grace, God reminded me that “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Cor. 4:7).
May God give me the courage to boast in Him alone.
May we as musicians be humble in serving the church, as unto the Lord.
May we as the congregation be quick to praise the Lord’s wisdom when His “unprofessionals” aide our worship, whether musicians, song leaders, pastors, deacons, sound technicians, or anyone between.
Psalm 150
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
FURTHER STUDY:
Read Romans 12 in its entirety. This chapter is a wonderful reminder of a Christian’s place within the body of Christ. We are not redeemed to sit back and leave the work of the ministry to the “professionals”. Verse 6 reminds us that “we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us” and “exercise them accordingly”.
Where can you serve? Maybe you’ve never thought about the fact that spiritual gifts aren’t necessarily natural talents. Maybe you see a need in your church that no one has stepped in to fill. God often blesses humility when we step out in faith and serve wherever there are needs (in submission to our pastors, of course).
RESOURCES:
Getty, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church
Mack, Wayne, Life in the Father’s House: A Member’s Guide to the Local Church
Piper, John, Brothers, We are not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry
Priolo, Lou, Pleasing People: How Not to be an “Approval Junkie”
Tripp, Paul David, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change
Welch, Edward, Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts the Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection
Welch, Edward, Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest
All Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
All Photos are Public Domain, unless otherwise noted.
