Serve One Another

Here at the outset of 2010, I am specially aware of some very deep needs among our musicians:
Injury
Illness
Cancer
Impending loss of a loved one
Recent loss of a loved one
Unemployment
Deep hurt and disappointment
And for even more, who are not themselves experiencing these things, but walking alongside one or more who are.

I am always encouraged to see you all continue in the trenches, through hard times as well as good times. It is surely a demonstration of the grip the Spirit has on you. I know, too, that it is evidence that you are being served by those you make music with.

Last week I wrote briefly about music as "pastoral care." With all the other things music accomplishes in worship, this dimension is often overlooked. And yet, I believe much of the time it is the primary work of music in church. And that ministry - the work of the Holy Spirit through your labors in music - is begun, and enhanced, by your care for one another.

Indeed, I would argue that effective music ministry depends on the exercise of each participant's spiritual gifts. Do we turn off the spiritual gifts when we come into a rehearsal? Do we not have the opportunity (to say nothing of obligation as stewards) to exercise the gifts God has given us wherever we are, whatever we are doing, whenever we are with his people? If God has given us all gifts for the building up of the church, then we may expect him to be prepared to use that gift in the context of music-making. And in using those gifts before and after public services of worship, we may have confidence that those gifts are also contributing to the whole body, even as we lead in worship through music.

So, if music in worship is pastoral care, then the effective preparation for that is our care for one another. This I see in our musicians, often and deeply. You pray for one another. You encourage one another. You help one another. This is the Spirit's work among you, building up the church-within-a-church which is our music ministry. And through it, the "musical church" is contributing to the heart and soul care of the College Church congregation (in ways we may never know, but may trust God for).

I am reflecting on these things today as I see so many of you coming alongside those who are hurting in the ways listed above. Be encouraged by these words of scripture:
... through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:13)
... with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit ... [and then there follows Paul's description of spiritual gifts] ... we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part works properly, makes the body grow so that it builds iself up in love. (from Ephesians 4:1 - 16)
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:9-10)
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Corinthians 12:27; then Paul ramps up to the excellent way of love, in chapter 13)

Keep on caring for one another, as you

Sing on!