How does music fit into your ministry?
(00:06):
So let's talk about music and art. This is a question that comes up a lot, especially in a congregation with as large and important a music program as unity. So to answer this question relatively directly, I was too credit shy of a music minor in undergraduate, not, it should be really clear because I have much natural affinity for playing or performing music. But because I loved it, I worked for the music program at St. Mary's College for years. I edited and cataloged audio for every concert on campus, a skill that's had surprising relevance over the last four years. I played trombone through college. I was happy to sit third chair in the jazz band, just being around folks who went on to become musical teachers and performers professionally. Critically for a church context, though I cannot sing, I've been told by colleagues, by congregants and by my spouse to stay away from hot microphones during hymns.
(01:09)
I speak for a living. I can read music and carry a tune, but for some reason, processing lyrics and a melody line at the same time often ends in disaster. I'm told that I sing loudly and joyously, but not in a way that helps those listening have a spiritual experience we'll say, which means collaboration and lots of it, right? Because music can get us to places in worship that spoken words simply cannot. You ask church folks what their favorite sermon in the last year has been and you just get a lot of blank looks. Ask those same people what their favorite hymn is and watch them just light up. So for myself, I'm a great appreciator and hopefully a collaborator for music.