The performance of music is not an end in itself, but a means to God-given purposes: to educate people about God (Deut 31:19; 32:46–47), exult God in worship (Col 3:16–17), edify believers (1 Cor 14:26), and evangelize unbelievers (Ps 67). As such, our church musicians are spiritual leaders who do not use people for music, but use music to serve God and people.
Given their important roles in ministry, how can we shepherd our church musicians? Using the word “pastor” as an acronym, here are six practical ways:
Pastor them spiritually: Be their friend and spiritual leader in worship rehearsals and ministries. A short devotional, song study, or book study (e.g., Bob Kauflin’s Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God) before or after the rehearsal will help direct their focus beyond music. Befriend, care, and be there for them.
Affirm them constantly: Affirm them constantly for their music-making by highlighting the impact of their ministry. Affirm them as a person by letting them know their positive attributes and why they are appreciated.
Support their ministries appreciatively: Share how God used a song they chose or a verse they read to minister to you or others. Give feedback about the ministry impact of their performance—comfort in grief, reason to praise or trust, and so on. Thank them privately and publicly for their commitment to making worship meaningful and God-centred.
Train them regularly: Christian musicians need to be taught God’s perspective and purposes of music ministry. Support them financially for seminars, workshops, and concerts that provide godly models and training to shape their ministry perspective and practices. Invite a godly musician or worship leader to be their mentor and trainer.
Offer ideas and opportunities to serve rightly: Provide ideas for musicians to use their gift for God-given purposes. Suggest a song as a meaningful ending to a sermon. Partner with them in leading a lessons-and-carols service. Plan an evangelistic concert with them. Request for playlists to be shared with those who are in grief or depression, or to guide the church members in their personal time of worship.
Redirect them to the right way positively: Before and during performances, direct them to use their gift of music rightly. Weeks before an evangelistic concert, let them each identify someone they will invite, share a concert song that they hope will minister to that person, and pray weekly for that person in their small group. One week before worship leadership, encourage the musicians to daily share in the team’s group chat one phrase from a song, verse, or narration in the upcoming worship service that God uses to speak to them and why. This will help them be worshippers first before becoming worship leaders. Before visiting the home-bound or hospitalized, acquaint the musicians regarding the patients and caregivers, and help them choose the most appropriate songs and words to edify them in their time of need.
Shepherd your musicians, so they can be channels for God-centred education, exultation, edification, and evangelism.
For Discussion
- Study in greater detail the biblical purposes of music ministry.
- Identify one or two steps you will take to shepherd your?musicians intentionally and regularly.
