When I was in high school, I had a pretty good idea that I was called to ministry. Because of the criticism from peers in a Christian school, I decided to fight it. I was determined I would chase musical dreams and become a high school band director. When God hit me head on about my call to ministry, I assumed it would be to pastor. I enjoyed preaching, so it made sense. After a surrender to what I thought was a call to preach, God kept me in music ministry. I did not pastor for nearly 15 years after that.
When I finally made it to the pastorate, I realized how difficult it is to be the first man. Honestly, I was it. I had no secretary. The only staff I had was my soon-to-be ex-wife as the youth director. I assumed my struggle as a lead pastor was due to the issues at home. After a failed attempt a few years later at a church plant and a pastorate that paved the way for a merge (a lesson that took me 10 years to learn), I discovered my call is to serve in associate roles, primarily in musical situations that lend to my calling and giftedness.
Last year, God moved me from my last pastorate to an interim worship role. In the last year, God reignited my passion for music ministry. Last week, God opened a permanent door for me to serve as a worship leader. It is also here in upstate SC, so I’m thrilled. The personality of the church and the style of music are a good fit. The people of the church are eager to move forward, and I’m excited about co-laboring with them to lift Jesus high in song.
The call of God isn’t as narrow as we make it. Back in the day, church people only thought a call meant preaching. God has many gifts and callings upon the life of a believer. I mistook my preaching and teaching gifts with that of a lead pastor. While I also do well with the chaplain nature of the pastorate, I don’t do well being the lead guy who oversees all the ministries and takes the fall when the church isn’t thriving.
I also shied away from music ministry because I don’t have a music degree. That’s a big deal for some churches. I felt inadequate to a degree. While I have training and good endorsements from people who are proficient in music, I still felt inadequate. I have officially refused to feel that way anymore. While I may not be what some churches are looking for, my gifts are adequate to help other churches. There is beauty and freedom in being content with that.
Please pray for me as I will start this role in the coming weeks. I want to transition well from the current church and begin well at the new church. While I will miss the good folks where I am, I look forward to a new place of service.
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