Special Music

Well, I will speak for my husband b/c he doesnt post here. He is the pastor and I am the music director.

1. As a pastor, how do you feel about Special Music, Ministy in Song or whatever you call it?
-indifferent

2. Is it important to you that someone sings just
before your message?
-no

3. Is it your opinion that the adult choir sing every Sunday?
-no

4. Should they present some sort of musical every Christmas, Easter and Patriotic season?
-its good, but he doesnt like for it to be ON that day. He wants a shot at the folks who only come on those specific days

5. Martha comes in and says, "My nephew is here today and he's gonna sing. Is that alright?" What is your response?
-When that happens, they tell me, not him. And I say that either 1) we already have special music for today, but he could sing at another time
2) let them sing the call to worship

6. Do you give your song leader sermon topics in advance or do you fly-by-the-seats-of-your-pants?
-I always try to plan music that might coordinate with the passage (not topic - he doesnt preach topically) of the day. If I can't match it, I like to plan a "theme" - like blood of Jesus, His name, or something like that.

 

As a pastor, how do you feel about Special Music, Ministy in Song or whatever you call it? I think music is important, special music is nice, but not necessary.

Is it important to you that someone sings just
before your message? No

Is it your opinion that the adult choir sing every Sunday? No, but again it's enjoyable if done well

Should they present some sort of musical every Christmas, Easter and Patriotic season? I would as an evangelistic tool, but otherwise no

Martha comes in and says, "My nephew is here today and he's gonna sing. Is that alright?" What is your response? We have a policy that it needs to be cleared at least one week in advance and that the person must have practiced with the pianist.

Do you give your song leader sermon topics in advance or do you fly-by-the-seats-of-your-pants? I like the fly-by-pants theory, but my pastor gives me sermon topics a quarter in advance and he's the boss.

My song leader selects the songs in advance with no knowledge of the sermon. It is amazing how often they tie together.

 

As a pastor, how do you feel about Special Music, Ministy in Song or whatever you call it?

I've been a music director for almost twenty years. I'm not a pastor, but you did ask for input from the church as well as the pastor, so here goes.

Is it important to you that someone sings just
before your message?

I believe special music has its place in the service. Elisha called for a minstrel before he prophesied. "And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him." II Kings 3:15 The congregational singing helps to prepare the hearts of the congregation, and the special music is for (primarily) the preacher.

Is it your opinion that the adult choir sing every Sunday?

Our choir is not advanced enough to sing every Sunday, so no. They sing when they have adequately prepared a song.

Should they present some sort of musical every Christmas, Easter and Patriotic season?

We're a small church, and we've never done a musical. We tend not to make a big spectacle out of Christmas and Easter.

Martha comes in and says, "My nephew is here today and he's gonna sing. Is that alright?" What is your response?

If I know Martha's nephew well enough to know he wouldn't sing without being prepared and I had nothing else planned, I would consider it. Usually the answer would be "no".

Do you give your song leader sermon topics in advance or do you fly-by-the-seats-of-your-pants? I like the fly-by-pants theory, but my pastor gives me sermon topics a quarter in advance and he's the boss.

Usually it's fly-by-the-seat and watch the Lord work. We've seen some pretty amazing things with both congregational and special music in this area.

daktim