“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name give glory.”
-Psalm 115:1
This is the number one rule in music ministry: It’s not about us; it’s about Him.
Everything we do, every decision we make, the way we sing or play, comes back to this fundamental truth.
We may receive positive feedback from others about the music we make in church. This is a different type of praise than the praise we give God in worship. There is a difference between complimenting and glorifying. It is okay to receive a compliment. When we do, we should receive it simply, with grace and gratitude.
But only God can receive glory. That is the entire purpose of our ministry: to glorify God through the music we make. We are the conduits for this glory, not the recipients. And what an amazing privilege it is to take part in this glorification, in our own small but important way, as we sing the praises of our God, the Creator of the universe.
If our music becomes a distraction for a significant number of worshipers, then it ceases to be about Him. Unfortunately, at that moment, it has become about us. We may not have meant for this to happen. We may have gotten caught up in a moment and oversung. Perhaps that Communion hymn we chose was too bold after all. These things happen. We are not perfect. When they do, we learn and grow, and remain mindful going forward.
The problem happens when we don’t see it, or hear it. When we don’t realize that we are thinking about ourselves more than we are thinking about God. When we think it’s perfectly fine to highlight our “Broadway belting” voice, or our cadenza-like virtuosity, during Mass. Because it’s music, right? Our training has prepared us to make music. We can’t unlearn our training. Why should we?
It’s not the same. We are not here to demonstrate technique, or range, or interpretation. Certainly, we have those things, and they may help us as church musicians. But they should never, ever, be the focus. The minute someone in the pews begins focusing on our vibrato instead of how great our God is, we have a problem. However, if the vibrato serves to enhance worship, then we are doing what we set out to do.
We want to enhance worship, not awareness of ourselves.
It all comes back to the number one rule. Please don’t ever forget it.
It’s not about us.
It’s about Him.
Dear Lord, thank you for the amazing privilege of serving you as music ministers. Please help us to serve your Church well, and to sing and play for your glory in the very best way that we can. Thank you for calling us to this ministry, and for inviting us to make music in your house, where you are truly present, for the good and holy purpose of sharing your love with others. Please fill our hearts with your peace, and our souls with your grace, as we serve you. Amen.
“For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen.”
-Glory to God (The Order of Mass)
