September provides a really good opportunity for some back-to-basics thinking on church music.
A Christian friend has reminded me recently of the importance of humility in my role as a church musician. This is always a work in progress for me and I’m slow to learn, but it has also reminded me that this is one of the most important attributes of any church musician. Jesus always lifts up the one who humbles him/herself in front of the Word of God, and brings down those who consider themselves above the need for his grace.
No longer performers
I was trained to be a performer, along with many other church musicians. Even in the churches where I conducted a choir or played the organ, music was so central that the gathering was more like an audience than a congregation. It is very hard for a performer to display an attitude of humility when the whole idea is to bring attention to the music and the musician.
