This past week we recorded some of the lead vocals for our upcoming project, Come Weary Saints, due out in April. It’s a project of congregational worship songs designed to encourage faith and hope in the hearts of those who are going through trials.

Each of the vocalists who came to sing was clearly there not to promote themselves, but to serve those whoever would be listening. It was evident from their preparation, the way they joyfully received comments, and their gratefulness for the opportunity to participate in the project. Grace abounded.

It reminded me of a message I gave at the Sovereign Grace WorshipGod conference in 2002. I was seeking to answer questions like, “How do we know whether we’re successful as a musician or not? What standards do we use? Does being a Christian musician mean we only play or sing songs that reference our faith in Christ? If that’s true, then can someone glorify God as a member of a symphony orchestra or a jazz trio?”

The message was titled, “The Call of the Christian Musician.” I spoke from Romans 12:1-8Romans 12:1-8 [12:1]I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [2]Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. [3]For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. [4]For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, [5]so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. [6]Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; [7]if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; [8]the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (ESV)

Here’s a portion of the video. You can download the MP3 here for free.

It doesn’t matter whether we make music for the church on Sunday morning, for a recording, or in some completely different context. Our musical gifts are just that - gifts. May our music making, no matter where it happens, always be a humble servant’s response to the Gospel and bring glory to the Giver of all gifts.

10 Comments »

1. Wow, Thank you Bob,
   it really gets me to think of my motive and look for who am I doing things.
   Thank you for serving us
   Gabriel

   Comment by Gabriel Gagnon — December 12, 2007 @ 7:33 pm

2. Years ago when attending a worship leader / guitarist conference in Illinois, Phil Keaggy was the featured clinician. In a Q&A session, he fielded a question about “getting into the contemporary Christian music market.” Part of his answer lamented the lack of spiritual Christian musicians involved in secular music — an area where salt and light would certainly stand out. I would like to briefly muse about this aspect of Bob’s post, even though it wasn’t the main point of focus.

   Although I am involved in music and leading worship at my local church, the nature of this job assignment is to focus attention away from myself and my music, and towards God. As such, the opportunities to insert anything “fancy” are limited. In a secular setting where the musician is featured, it would not be out of place for a competent musician to add more of “himself” into the performance and still glorify God in the process, as the goals and reasons for the musician and audience are different. Although this may be an area that is wide-open for Christians to participate in, there certainly are challenges to the task of using a secular venue to bring glory to God, especially since most of the audience won’t have come for a worship event! Yet I’m very interested in giving this a try, as we have an ideal venue on our small town — the small sandwich shop with stage and open-mic night. The challenge will be to craft a program using either secular cover tunes that have a positive message, instrumental tunes, or some subtle spiritual songs carefully selected. If Bob or anyone else would like to take off on this aspect of today’s blog, I’d be interested to see other ideas for a secular music “ministry”.

   Regards,

   Steve Inman
   Kokomo, IN

   Comment by Steve Inman — December 12, 2007 @ 11:30 pm

3. Bob -
   Great words! Very encouraging to hear you say some of those things, as this has been a big part of my development and struggle as a Corporate Worship Leader.
   I also wanted to just dialog with Steve briefly about some of the thoughts that he had. This is a big passion of mine and I intend to root all of it in scripture, but Bob any wisdom you can interject would be much appreciated.
   Steve, I don’t necessarily agree with you about a few of the things that you said in your post, and as a brother, just wanted to mention my perspective.
   First off, it seems to me that Acts 17Acts 17
   [17:1]Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and
   Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a
   synagogue of the Jews. [2]And Paul went in, as was his
   custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them
   from the Scriptures, [3]explaining and proving that it was
   necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the
   dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is
   the Christ." [4]And some of them were persuaded and joined
   Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks
   and not a few of the leading women. [5]But the Jews were
   jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they
   formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the
   house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
   [6]And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason
   and some of the brothers before the city authorities,
   shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down
   have come here also, [7]and Jason has received them, and
   they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying
   that there is another king, Jesus." [8]And the people and
   the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these
   things. [9]And when they had taken money as security from
   Jason and the rest, they let them go.
   [10]The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by
   night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the
   Jewish synagogue. [11]Now these Jews were more noble than
   those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all
   eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these
   things were so. [12]Many of them therefore believed, with
   not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.
   [13]But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the
   word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came
   there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. [14]Then
   the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the
   sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. [15]Those who
   conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after
   receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as
   soon as possible, they departed.
   [16]Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his
   spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was
   full of idols. [17]So he reasoned in the synagogue with the
   Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every
   day with those who happened to be there. [18]Some of the
   Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him.
   And some said, "What does this babbler wish to say?" Others
   said, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities"--
   because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
   [19]And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus,
   saying, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are
   presenting? [20]For you bring some strange things to our
   ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean."
   [21]Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived
   there would spend their time in nothing except telling or
   hearing something new.
   [22]So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus,
   said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are
   very religious. [23]For as I passed along and observed the
   objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this
   inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you
   worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. [24]The God who
   made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven
   and earth, does not live in temples made by man, [25]nor is
   he served by human hands, as though he needed anything,
   since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and
   everything. [26]And he made from one man every nation of
   mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having
   determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their
   dwelling place, [27]that they should seek God, in the hope
   that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet
   he is actually not far from each one of us, [28]for
   "'In him we live and move and have our being';
   as even some of your own poets have said,
   "'For we are indeed his offspring.'
   [29]Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that
   the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image
   formed by the art and imagination of man. [30]The times of
   ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people
   everywhere to repent, [31]because he has fixed a day on
   which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man
   whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance
   to all by raising him from the dead."
   [32]Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead,
   some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about
   this." [33]So Paul went out from their midst. [34]But some
   men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius
   the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with
   them. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   suggests people at a rock concert (or an open mic at the corner sandwich shop) are definitely there to worship, they’re just there to worship something or someone besides Jesus. Based on that, the expectation for us as worship leaders should be no different. Some people are at church to worship Jesus, some aren’t. It all depends on how we can best direct peoples hearts towards Him. I think at a sandwich shop this is hard to do and may not be very easy to accomplish from behind the mic. But if you’re good, or you connect with some folks while you’re there, you may build relationships or conversations which allow you to address people and their gods directly rather than simply trying to preach through your songs - though that could work…
   I also had some thoughts on what you said about musicians inserting ‘fancy’ things during corporate worship. I actually got asked question pertaining to this subject at a conference my church recently had, and these thoughts are based less on a specific passage of scripture and more on combined ideas I’ve gotten from things such as Acts 17Acts 17
   [17:1]Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and
   Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a
   synagogue of the Jews. [2]And Paul went in, as was his
   custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them
   from the Scriptures, [3]explaining and proving that it was
   necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the
   dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is
   the Christ." [4]And some of them were persuaded and joined
   Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks
   and not a few of the leading women. [5]But the Jews were
   jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they
   formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the
   house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
   [6]And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason
   and some of the brothers before the city authorities,
   shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down
   have come here also, [7]and Jason has received them, and
   they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying
   that there is another king, Jesus." [8]And the people and
   the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these
   things. [9]And when they had taken money as security from
   Jason and the rest, they let them go.
   [10]The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by
   night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the
   Jewish synagogue. [11]Now these Jews were more noble than
   those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all
   eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these
   things were so. [12]Many of them therefore believed, with
   not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.
   [13]But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the
   word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came
   there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. [14]Then
   the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the
   sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. [15]Those who
   conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after
   receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as
   soon as possible, they departed.
   [16]Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his
   spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was
   full of idols. [17]So he reasoned in the synagogue with the
   Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every
   day with those who happened to be there. [18]Some of the
   Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him.
   And some said, "What does this babbler wish to say?" Others
   said, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities"--
   because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
   [19]And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus,
   saying, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are
   presenting? [20]For you bring some strange things to our
   ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean."
   [21]Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived
   there would spend their time in nothing except telling or
   hearing something new.
   [22]So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus,
   said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are
   very religious. [23]For as I passed along and observed the
   objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this
   inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you
   worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. [24]The God who
   made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven
   and earth, does not live in temples made by man, [25]nor is
   he served by human hands, as though he needed anything,
   since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and
   everything. [26]And he made from one man every nation of
   mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having
   determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their
   dwelling place, [27]that they should seek God, in the hope
   that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet
   he is actually not far from each one of us, [28]for
   "'In him we live and move and have our being';
   as even some of your own poets have said,
   "'For we are indeed his offspring.'
   [29]Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that
   the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image
   formed by the art and imagination of man. [30]The times of
   ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people
   everywhere to repent, [31]because he has fixed a day on
   which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man
   whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance
   to all by raising him from the dead."
   [32]Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead,
   some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about
   this." [33]So Paul went out from their midst. [34]But some
   men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius
   the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with
   them. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   and 1 Corinthians 9:18-231 Corinthians 9:18-23
   [18]What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may
   present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full
   use of my right in the gospel.
   [19]For though I am free from all, I have made myself a
   servant to all, that I might win more of them. [20]To the
   Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those
   under the law I became as one under the law (though not
   being myself under the law) that I might win those under
   the law. [21]To those outside the law I became as one
   outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under
   the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
   [22]To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I
   have become all things to all people, that by all means I
   might save some. [23]I do it all for the sake of the
   gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   …
   My general thought is that people can play in a church context or a ’secular’ context and be in it for their glory or Jesus’ glory - even if they’re a Christian. In the context of corporate worship, I ALWAYS enjoy God’s blessing of music more (and am therefore more inclined to worship Him through it) when excellent musicianship is displayed. This could be a shredding guitar solo or even a subtle drum grove that doesn’t stand out. For me, when the musician’s heart is in the right place, they become a mere vessel for God to display His glory through them rather than a distraction from me being ‘able to worship’.
   So, that’s my thoughts - sorry to be so long-winded. I would love to see what other people think of that (especially Bob!).
   Peace

   Comment by Joel Brown — December 14, 2007 @ 2:43 am

4. I really enjoyed what you had to say. I agree that whether we are using our gifts in a Christian environment or in a secular environment. I think that you are right in saying that Christian musicians are called to a high calling. Having musical talent is such a gift from God and to be able to use that to bring him glory is something that not everyone one of us can do. I believe that this is a vital part of the body that Paul was speaking about. Though not all parts are the same or created for the same use they are all equally as important and the body cannot function to its full potential

   Comment by Joel Keck — December 14, 2007 @ 2:41 pm

5. I agree with Joel Keck-

   I believe the motive behind the gift is where humility needs to play. I think musician who is wanting to glorify the name of the Lord will do just that. An obedience follower will not get lost in their own pride; but boldly find those who are lost. The idea is likely with how music has grasped the favor of our society.

   Comment by Melyssa Vaswani — December 14, 2007 @ 3:25 pm

6. “Each of the vocalists who came to sing was clearly there not to promote themselves, but to serve those whoever would be listening”

   I have been listening to the Savior Christmas CD since we received it. It has been such a benefit to my soul and mind! There have been several times throughout the day that my thinking has been corrected by listening and focusing on the words about Jesus. I just wanted you to know that I “one who would be listening” has indeed been served.

   Comment by Trill — December 14, 2007 @ 3:50 pm

7. I Think that this is really cool, what you are saying. The success is not to fill the seats; it is to use the view of Gods mercy. Are we willing to worship God? Are we being faithful? Those questions that you ask are great, and so challenging. Why do we spend so much time focusing on other things for our own glory when we should be giving him all of our glory and we should focus on our goal of giving him our adoration.

   I think that what you are saying is so true about worship its not about or talent it’s about what we can do for the glory of God.

   Comment by Jen McGauley — December 14, 2007 @ 7:23 pm

8. […] Whose glory do you make music for? […]

   Pingback by six steps + Victoria veritatis est caritas » Musical Gifts are Gifts too — December 17, 2007 @ 11:29 pm

9. Interesting to link back to this article from the recent (1-18-08) post and see a few more comments.

   Were I to play in a secular venue, my primary purpose would not be to overtly lead people to consider God, nor to worship Him. I would be there to have fun, to pursue a hobby, to interact with friends, to share my talents with them. Pure and simple. I don’t care what reason the audience had for coming, and I don’t expect (nor do they, in general) for there to be any anticipation of anything “spiritual” going on. I don’t have any pre-conceived notion that they will be moved to seriously consider God were I to get on a soapbox and preach. I rather assume due to the venue that this would be deemed out of place and might draw a hostile reaction. However, my intent in such a setting would be to use my gifts and talents in a way that honors and glorifies God, that puts forth my talent in a humble manner, that dispels the myths that Christians don’t know how to have fun and enjoy life (or the gifts that God has given us — “to richly enjoy” I Tim 6:171 Timothy 6:17
   [17]As for the rich in this present age, charge them not
   to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of
   riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything
   to enjoy. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   ). I am always an ambassador for Christ. But this does not mean that the primary goal of everything I do as a musician is to direct people to focus their attention toward Him for the purpose of worship. However, this also does not mean that God is not glorified when I am involved with music with a primary goal other than the WORSHIP of God.

   I am also a tuba player and play in a local brass quintet and a community band. I also play both tuba and guitar with local civic theater plays — when the subject matter of the play is not blatantly off-color or inappropriate. Some of my quintet performances are in churches, although not all of the musicians are believers and therefore I cannot state that the intent of this group is specifically spiritual. MY intent when playing a tuba in a church setting is to glorify God. My involvement in this group allows me with witnessing opportunities and Christian fellowship with the members who ARE believers.

   The Principal Tuba player with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Tony Kniffen, is a professing believer. The ISO is a secular group. He is both a believer and a musician, and during his “day job” he has the ability to be an ambassador for Christ and to glorify God using his musical talents completely outside of a church setting.

   As we evaluate our paradigms, we need to leave room for instruments that are not particularly “popular” with the world, for forms of music other than pop or rock, and for people enjoying a talent God has provided with a community band or a symphony orchestra — who have no interest in worldly fame. We also need to comprehend the opportunities where God can use mature believers outside of a church context to bring glory to Him in more subtle ways — ways that can parallel the planting and watering ministries in I Cor 3:61 Corinthians 3:6
   [6]I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
   (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   , and don’t necessarily minister directly to the Body of Christ, and don’t overtly preach to the unconverted.

   How big is your God, and how much liberty in Christ is there for mature believers to be involved in the world without loving it? Is it permissible for someone to merely perform for the fun and enjoyment of music? What is Tony Kniffen doing? As a Christian serving God in his profession as I try to do as an electrical engineer ( I Cor 10:311 Corinthians 10:31
   [31]So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do
   all to the glory of God. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   ) — isn’t Tony’s tuba playing actually a “spiritual” endeavor? I suggest the widest possible search for ways for believers to be salt and light to a dying world and not to cocoon inside their local congregations. Having said this, however, do know that my primary area of musical focus is to serve God WITHIN the Body as a worship leader. But this is not the only musical involvement that I have in the community.

   Best Regards,

   Steve Inman
   Kokomo, IN

   Comment by Steve Inman — January 18, 2008 @ 10:48 pm

10. Brothers and sisters in Christ

    This question isn’t really that deep. God gives the gift of musicianship to a person, and when they offer it back to Him, it brings God pleasure. When we have the opportunity to play or sing, whatever the venue, if we are playing for Him, He digs it. If someone is able to play/sing at an open mic night, it just may lead to opportunities to share Christ with someone you meet at a later time. There has been a tremendous amount of music written and performed over the years that was not intended to be sung at a Sunday morning service!

    We need to get over the idea that music has to have a Christian label on it to please God. When a musician plays a hot improv solo, or a conductor and orchestra perform a beautiful symphony, if the musician “making the music” is playing from a heart full of love for God, and appreciation for what He has given to share with others, it honors God by seeking “what is pure, beautiful, and honorable…” If they sing or play with an self centered attitude, God won’t honor it.

    God has made me for a specific purpose. But He also has made me a musician, and when I play instruments, sing, conduct an ensemble, or humbly lead a congregation in worship and praise, I do it for Him and His glory, I feel His pleasure, and I am overwhelmed with His blessings!

    That’s enough for me.

    Vince Browand
    Whitehall, Michigan

    Comment by Vince Browand — January 21, 2008 @ 1:22 pm

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