After being in this position for several years I have come to my own conclusions as to what this title means and is all about. First let me say that I think some church musicians make the mistake of using this as a means satisfy their own needs. A need to be up front, to perform, to show off their musical talent etc. Or as just a job. You know how you can be about your 9 to 5 position. Get it done, get out. But being a Christian is all about sacrificing self. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalm 51:17 KJV.

You may get paid. You probably do. You may perform well. You probably do (hopefully), but this isn't about you or about your paycheck. This is about what you can do to edify Christ.

Let’s look at some scripture about this. In the Bible we are commanded to “Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.” Psalm 33:3 KJV. In first Samuel we see what a musician can do for a man tormented. “Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.” 1 Samuel 16:16, KJV. You see as a musician, a church musician, a Christian musician, your job is to minister. And in order to be able to minister effectively your heart needs to be in the right place. Not on “Man wait until people hear these far out chords I’ve been jamming on!” but more like, “Praise the Lord. He is worthy. Lord I worship You.” I don’t know about you but I would rather hear, “Thank you sister, that song really ministered to my hurting heart this morning (evening, afternoon).” Than about how cool I sounded up there on the piano with that new chord progression. I’m not saying I don’t use chord progressions but I’m saying keep the playing in perspective.

Try playing as unto the Lord sometime. Not for the Lord like you have yet another adoring audience but as a means of worship. In the same way you lift your hands and offer praise, lift your fingers and offer the praise across the piano, guitar strings, or whatever musical instrument you play.

Okay so a church musician, in my words, is a servant of the Lord who offers praise through the musical instrument sometimes in accompaniment to the people. You (we) are actually not indispensable and the people can still praise and worship the Lord without you. Sometimes, or many times if you are seeking guidance to your playing, the Lord can and will use you to minister unto some of His flock.

Praise the Lord!

K Quinn has been playing the piano for 10+ years. She picked up the guitar 5 years ago and both for her church. Visit her website at http://www.strugglingchurchmusician.us for more church musician tools and tips.

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