Paul's letter to Corinth includes an extended discussion of spiritual gifts. Paired with his treatment of this same subject to other churches (Rome and Ephesus), we have a rather developed theology of gifts, giftedness, and the gifted. Consistent among the passages (1 Corinthians 12-14, Romans 12, Ephesians 4) is the metaphor of the body: the body working together, the body growing together, the body maturing together. Let's take as a summary statement this word: Let all things be done for building up. (1 Cor. 14:26)
This "bottom line" from Paul comes near the end of a 3-chapter discourse on the gifts. (As an aside, when we read the middle chapter, 1 Corinthians 13 - "the love chapter" - divorced from its context, we fail to understand it fully and apply it rightly.) We exercise our gifts among one another, so that we may together be "built up." The ultimate aim of the giftedness in any church is "maturity." And ultimately it is in the right exercise of each of our gifts ("in love") that we are to grow up into the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Eph. 4: 15-16)
Today I find it interesting that the summation of Paul's teaching about the right exercise of gifts, is in the context of gathered worship. Indeed, 1 Corinthians 14 is one of the most explicit passages about public worship in the New Testament. And this is consistent with that weekly gathering's role in advancing the same purposes as the gifts: maturity in Christ, serving one another in love, unity in Christ who is the head of the Body. Yes, we exercise our gifts wherever and whenever we are together - rehearsals, for example! But when we come together in the weekly gathering, we bring our service, the ways we have served and been served, and we continue this service to one another. Music? Well, for some reason Paul begins to wrap-up this long discussion thus: What then? When you come together, each one has a hymn ...(1 Cor. 14:26)
Our role as musicians in public worship begings to get worked out properly "behind the scenes," with our loving service to and with one another. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good... All these are empowerd by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one indivudually as he wills. (from 1 Cor. 12:4-11) It is not in our musical skill that we serve and are served, but rather in the gifts the Spirit gives. The same Spirit then uses that gift-infused musical preparation to minister through your music-making.
Continue to serve one another in love, as you
Sing on!
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