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Music Ministry Annual Report |
Music Ministry
2006
Report
The music ministry at Grenada
Community Berean Church is part of the church's signature, and therefore those
involved in this special ministry have a responsibility to present music with
God-honoring lyrics, music that comes from the heart, and music that augments
and deepens the worship experience whenever the church's people assemble. In the
latter part of 2006 the Music Committee (John Wetzig, Ron Campbell, Tom Clark,
Catherine Darnall, and Mike Hendryx) met several times with the goal of
refocusing the music ministry at Grenada. As a result of those meetings the
Committee, with the church board's endorsement, asked me (Mike) to assume this
responsibility. After much prayer and consideration I agreed, having the
conviction that God had opened this door for ministry and equipped me for the
task.
As I read and study the Word I'm
constantly reminded that God desires to walk with us, and in order for this to
happen we have to have an intimate, ongoing, spiritual relationship with Jesus.
To paraphrase, our Lord says live like me, love like me, and partner with me;
I've given you gifts and abilities, now use them for me. That is my desire.
In addition to the priority of
worshipping and praising God through his truth, we are also charged with the
responsibility to use music as a teaching tool. "Let the Word of Christ
dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the
Lord." (Col. 3: 16) These thoughts have been a catalyst to move the music
program forward, to refocus the direction of music for worship, maximize the
congregation's ability to center their thoughts on God, and help this component
of our Sunday services to be fresh, exciting and meaningful.
In October about 50 people
interested in the music ministry at Grenada met for an informal meeting
concerning the future direction of the ministry .I shared that music is only one
way in which we can worship God and that true worshipers are those who worship
God through the Son, from the heart - that we're known because we worship in
spirit and in truth. Since music is such a powerful way in which we can worship,
participants need to be right with God, be an example, preach the Word through
the lyrics of songs, and help equip the Saints through the use of this medium. I
also handed out a questionnaire that will help me more effectively organize the
music ministry around our gifts.
My vision for this vital
ministry, which aligns with Pastor John's and the church board's desire, is to
acknowledge the seriousness and importance of the ministry, more effectively use
music as a tool of worship, strive for consistency and continuity, remove some
of the barriers that hinder our worship experience, and encourage and instruct
the body through the use of music. With God's help, patience, and love of the
brethren I believe we will be able to deepen and enrich the music ministry at
Grenada.
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name (Ps. 100:4).
Your servant in Christ,
Michael Hendryx