Vision Facilitator Training: Music Ministry

1.    Arrive on time. Unless you attend rehearsal directly from work (kudos to you), establish the routine of getting to rehearsal on time. Prompt arrival demonstrates respect for the ministry.

2.    Avoid choking/breathing hazards. Choking hazards can be avoided by removing gum, candy, or throat lozenges from your mouth before singing.

3.    Start time. Once rehearsal TIME is in effect, all talking shall cease except for designated music ministry leaders in conference among themselves. Non-leaders of the music ministry shall remain attentive and await further instruction from music ministry leadership.

4.    Devotion. Follow the prescribed order for dedicating rehearsal service. Typically, a song, scripture reading, and prayer are offered before commencing rehearsal and/or business activity.

5.    Look at the speaker. Your undivided attention increases good stewardship of time management for the choir to learn lyrics, new arrangements to old songs, and to perfect singing techniques. Valuable rehearsal time is wasted bringing the choir to order for the speaker and/or changes to music to be heard.

6.    No sidebar discussions. Constrain yourself from starting conversations while a music ministry leader addresses the choir and/or consults with a fellow leader. If you have a question, signal the music ministry leader; and then, patiently wait to be acknowledged. Likewise, do not force a fellow choir member to compromise adherence to this rule by initiating discussion.

7.    No unsolicited commentary. Remarks given by music ministry leaders may inspire a thought or a comment you may want to share. To make your comment, signal the music ministry leader; and then, patiently wait to be acknowledged. Please refrain from outbursts, talking out of turn, or rebellious feedback. Exercise temperance when emotionally-charged topics arise threatening to incite intense exchanges so the issues may be addressed after rehearsal with music ministry leaders.

8.   Sit straight with pleasant facial expression. After the song service, you continue to minister to the congregation through your presence. Refrain from sitting sideways, slouching, and placing hands and/or arms on the backs of the chairs.

9.   Support fellow members. Encourage fellow singers who may struggle with executing a technique and/or perfecting delivery of a song.

10.   Schedule personal rehearsal reinforcement. Practice warm up techniques outside of rehearsal. Your voice and/or performance technique will enhance to meet demands on your anointing in the music ministry.

11. Enhance your knowledge of music ministry. Search the scriptures to learn the role of music in the history of the Bible. Study other material on music to stay motivated to stir up your gift.

12.  Maintain personal health for strength to minister. Eat well and rest properly to strengthen your body to meet the demand placed on your anointing in the music ministry.

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Arceneaux, Eric. Singing High Notes: Belting With Intensity

Bady, Percy. Studio Recording Session for Kingdom Inspiration Project

 

Vision Facilitator Training: Spiritual Self-Employment

Through the years, people asked, “How do you handle it?” The ‘it’ may have been the storm of life in effect at the time; or it could have been the people encountered who added to its fierceness. What they really wanted to know was how I continued to love and be kindhearted from the same situations some people allowed to make them bitter against hope, and bitter against people.

We are saturated with information, tidbits, spiritual nuggets, bits of wisdom, spiritual vitamins, Rhema word, spiritual insight, prophetic word, word for the day, word of the day, daily word, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, awesome word, powerful word, excellent word, good word, just word for days. 

The workplace is in the same position with seminars, workshops, ongoing training, conferences, refresher courses, continuing education units, leadership development, staff development, personal development for personnel. Yet the kingdom of heaven and the workplace are in constant need of dedicated individuals who are considerate of the morale of the leader and the morale of the team. 

Intrinsic pay is not the preferred method of payment. It is not legal tender. Its value is different. Intrinsic pay is the preferred currency of those dedicated to the vision. These individuals are successfully self-employed because they applied the instructions they read in the handout, the training manual, the handbook, the Bible.

 1. Place God First in Your life: The most powerful action necessary to placing God first in your life is the action of what you think of others. What you think of others is what you think of yourself. What you think about other people is what you think about God. If you do not give respect to other people, you cannot give respect to God; neither will you give respect to anyone God assigns to you.

 2. Worship God with Your Life: Our thought life is part of life. Outer worship begins with inner worship. It is a proven fact we show what God is worth to us by what we think of those He assigned to leadership positions over us.

 3. Contribute to the Vision: Facilitate the leaders by following the rules yourself. Allow leadership to see who has no regard for the rules, and refrain from outbursts, feedback, or talking out of turn. Allow your spirit of excellence to help those around you tap into the spirit of excellence within them. 

Homework:  Find the scriptures to complement the rules cited above; and then, be prepared to participate in the discussion that will lead into our next lesson: The art of listening.

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