August 3, 2009  

Ministry Tools
Bob Burroughs

Quote

"He who squanders talent praises death." (Spoken by a character in Cynthia Ozick’s first novel)
 

Scripture

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.     1 Corinthians 4:1-3

Prayer

Father, Great Redeemer, Friend and Counselor, I pray this morning for everyone who is involved in ministry--that the Holy Spirit will surround them today and each one will feel the presence and know the Spirit is there. So many ministers are hurting today. Many have been released from their churches for no reason. It seems there is an epidemic of huge proportions these days, led by those who have little concept of the art of worship, how music can fit into worship and bring it alive, and little or no emphasis on friendship or relationship. My heart is sad and goes out to those men/women who are facing this situation. I bless you for those who are enjoying their ministries and who are happy where you have placed them to serve. May your Spirit continue to sweep across the churches of today--bringing them face to face with the original purpose of the church. I pray this in the strong name of Jesus Christ, who gave His life for the church. Amen.

What Think Ye?                   

Don't Make it - Fake it !

I was reading a very fine magazine last month (Real Simple—I love the recipes!) and I came across a full-page ad that caught my attention at first glance. It advertized a special food dish. This was the headline in HUGE letters & fancy print:

Don't Make it - Fake it !     

All I had to do, according to the ad, was purchase this product, follow simple directions, prepare the dish, and present it as if—I had actually made it!

I’m all for simple recipes, easy cooking, and so forth, but to advertise that one should not make the dish, but buy their product and fake it as their own creation, struck me as sending the error message! What would you say if you prepared such a fake dish and your guests raved, begging for your recipe, and asking where you found such a wonderful dish? My guess is—you might be a bit embarrassed and have to admit: “I’m sorry! I didn't make it. I faked it!”

I began to think about church music ministry as it relates to this ad—and thought of several scenarios that would be interesting for us to consider.

• Don’t keep yourself sharp in your ministry – Fake It!
• Don’t attend conferences/workshops to keep yourself musically, spiritually and professionally fit – Fake It!
• Don’t practice your craft – Fake It!
• Don’t plan worship ahead of time – Fake It!
• Don’t spend time with the Father who called you into His service – Fake It!
• Don’t prepare a rehearsal plan – Fake It!
• Don’t plan on getting a good music education to make you a more qualified music ministry leader – Fake It!
• Don’t study your rehearsal music – Fake It!

I’m sure you could come up with some good thoughts, also!

Having been in the church music scene since 1956 (53 years) and I’ve been around almost every music ministry corner. I have experienced fellowship, worship, inspiration, challenge, and leadership from many, many men and women who would never in a thousand years consider “faking it!” It would be a moral crisis for them to even consider such an act.

And, I’ve had time with people who make an obvious practice of “faking it”—in worship, in rehearsals, in education, in ministry and have made faking it an art form! This has always saddened me.

I thank God for those out in the music ministry trenches who never “fake it” – but lead with professionalism, seek to polish their craft, stay up-to-date, know the music before rehearsals, always looking for something that will challenge their people—and themselves in process.

Don't Make it - Fake it ! This is a misleading statement to those of us who really care that the “Lamp of Quality” is slowly diminishing!

What think ye?

Leaders of the Future   

Published by the Drucker Foundation
Edgar Schein, professor of management, Sloan School of management, MIT, in an article, "Leadership and Organizational Culture", says leaders of the future will have to have more of the following characteristics. See if you agree.

• Extraordinary levels of perception into the realities of the world and into themselves.
• Extraordinary levels of flexibility to go through the pain of change.
• Emotional strength to manage their own and others' anxiety over change.
• New skills in analyzing our assumptions, with an ability to spot both good and dysfunctional assumptions—and the ability to build on those good and functional elements.
• The willingness and ability to involve others, because tasks will be too complex and information too great for leaders to solve all the problems on their own.
• The willingness to share power and control according to people's knowledge and skills, that is to permit and encourage leadership to flourish throughout the organization.

Family Leadership

How to Fake It Till You Make it !
By Kidlutions (www.ehow.com/how_4490158_fake-till.html)

When the behavior of your kid(s) is driving you batty, learn how to "act as if" you are cool as a cucumber. In other words, "fake it till you make it"! Follow these easy steps!

• Ignore your child's whining, carrying on or moaning. When it starts, act if you have suddenly lost your hearing.
• Do nothing to draw attention to the behavior. Do not comment on it, do not beg, cajole or threaten your child. Just continue to act as if you have lost your hearing. At the same time, suspend reality and think about something other than your child's whining.
• If your child continues to whine, carry on or moan, you can calmly say, "I can't hear you when you are whining, carrying on or moaning..." Assure your child that you will talk to him "when you are talking like I am" (hopefully, that is in a calm manner).

NOTICE YOUR CHILD when he is behaving the way you desire. Lavish him with praise when he is speaking calmly, in an acceptable tone. When he is upset, but is working hard at trying to talk in a normal tone, be sure to commend him for his efforts. Remember, progress and not perfection is the goal!  

Hug your child EVERY day!

On particularly difficult days, hug him EVEN more!

Inspirational Corner

Camp Kirkland

Camp Kirkland is considered by many to be the "grandfather" of the revival of instrumental music in today's church. He has inspired literally thousands of people with his creative hymn arrangements for full orchestra and choirs. He is a gentlemen's gentleman, a delightful friend, and a music mission-minded man who practices what he preaches. You will indeed be inspired by his words. If you wish to contact Camp about his project, his email address is: camp@campkirkland.com

Music On Missions

God has taken me on many adventures during my life. I am thankful for all that He has taught me and what I have learned on this journey. I am also thankful that He has been faithful to carry me through some adventures that He might not have chosen for me as well. That is the reason that my life verse is Philippians 1:6, which says “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

One series of adventures that He has authored in my life over the last seven years is taking music teams on mission trips. I have always known that music is a powerful force in people’s lives. Certainly, it has impacted my life in profound ways, but music connects with people around the world like no other medium. Everybody likes some kind of music!

Some of the cultures where we have been do not allow open sharing of our faith in the form of street evangelism or passing out tracts, etc., but music was our “magnet.” We have truly had to ask God to reveal Himself through us as He saw fit during each day. Of course, if someone asks us why we are there, we have the right to share the reason with care and non-offensively.

We were in Russia last summer and our missionary had employed five university students as interpreters for our team. They were hired by our missionary, because they were NOT believers. I did not realize how significant that would be until we were there and saw that these five young ladies would be with us all day each day and have to interpret every word we spoke.

Another example of how music has been a powerful communicator is on an island south of the U.S. where God is doing a mighty work. We led an Instrumental Expo there a few years ago and had over 300 musicians in attendance--even though some of them had to travel from 10 to 20 hours to get there!! Many were not believers, but just wanted to be with their friends who played instruments and get to play music brought down by our American team. Fifty of them accepted Christ during the two-day workshop!!! Music was our tool but God spoke through all that took place and Jesus was lifted up to all who were there.

God has created this new passion in me for missions through music. This may or may not be your testimony but His command to us is clear in Matthew 28: 19-20, where He tells us to “go.”

This may only be a report of what God has done in my life through missions but perhaps—just maybe—it might be a challenge for you to jump onboard with *us on a mission project soon.

I promise you this. It will change your life and the lives of your musicians in ways that you will only know after being a part of a project like this

* Global Missions Project activities can be seen on this site: www.globalmissionsproject.com.

This Idea Will Work

Evaluate Rehearsals Weekly

The conductor has the sole responsibility for a successful rehearsal. If the rehearsal falls apart, if it is terrible, if it has no drive or sparkle, or if it is absolutely glorious, the conductor must accept full responsibility! Personal evaluation sometimes helps put rehearsal in a good perspective. Here are some rehearsal evaluation questions for your consideration:

• Why was the rehearsal bad--or good?
• What factors contributed most to the failure or success?
• Did the conductor have total control of the time or was it taken from him/her by talking, laughter, jokes, or outrageous Tenors?
• If so, what can be done to prevent this from happening again?
• How was the rehearsal pace?
• Was there too much new music--or old music?
• Was it one section or person causing the problems?
• Was valuable time wasted while unimportant things happening, such as passing out music or working with the pianist?
• Did you start--and end--on time?
• Were you positive, upbeat, and gentle in your approach?

Have a rehearsal plan and follow it well. You may stray from it occasionally, but for the most part, the plan will keep you on a good track!

Rehearsal success or failure--is the sole responsibility of--the Conductor!

Wisdom

To fake it--is to stand guard over emptiness. — Arthur Herzog

Humor  

Toddler Property Rules

• If I like it, it's mine.
• If it's in my hand, it's mine.   
• If I can take it from you, it's mine.
• If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
• If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
• If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
• If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
• If I think it's mine, it's mine.

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