Service with a Smile

by David West

So far we have seen several keys to a successful music ministry: Preparation, organization, and unity. Let us now consider the atmosphere or attitude of a service. Every church has a personality. Primarily two things determine the personality of a church: the leadership and the music.

The most important qualification of your church leadership is that they be spirit filled. Beyond that though, a leader must be friendly, cheerful and enthusiastic, setting an example as a witness, and testimony to the lost world.. Leaders set the example to follow and also set the pace of the ministry.

Every leader, including special music participants, contribute to the character of the church. Realizing the importance of church leadership, we must be careful when selecting those who stand behind the pulpit to minister in the area of music. Consider holding them to the same set of standards as other church leaders.
Another aspect that reveals the personality of a church is its selection of music. Every pastor desires his church to have a vibrant music ministry. The purpose of music is to prepare the heart of the listener to receive the Word of God.

Unfortunately, many a church has chosen rather to use its music to entertain, and to evangelize. In doing so, music leaders have allowed musical styles of the world and "warm and fuzzy" worship choruses to replace the music that brings glory to God. Sadly, the move away from the traditional great hymns of the faith has provided a Satan an opportunity to bring the world into the church through music. Before long that kind of church will begin to slip in other areas also.

Take some time to evaluate both your church leadership and the music you use in your church. Someone has said that your church will be known not by what you say you believe but by what you tolerate.