Discipleship on the Worship Team
A relatively obscure passage from Exodus 35 is one that I frequently come back to with the worship team about God’s use of artists for crafting places of worship. God has just given very detailed instructions on how to build and adorn the tabernacle and He then commissions two guys to lead the charge in fulfilling those instructions.
“See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. – Exodus 35:30-34
These artists that God chose to craft the space into which His Spirit would dwell amongst Israel had four distinct qualities about them.
1. Filled with the Spirit of God – So, for our modern artists that would be people who have a saving faith in Jesus Christ
2. Skills in artistic endeavors – They were uniquely gifted by God and had likely stewarded the gifting through their own practice.
3. An eye for teaching others – This is the one that is interesting to me. It was not only that these guys were good at their own craft, but they were also good at helping others get better, too. This is discipleship. This is leadership. This is ministry.
4. A teachable spirit – If God had provided teachers, then I think there is an implicit flipside. The others involved in building the tabernacle would be receptive to the teaching and instruction of the leaders.
I think within the context of a local church ministry these would be considered “aspirational” qualities. No ministry is going to perfectly embody all these all the time. But, in the last month or so I have seen our very own Worship Team live-out these qualities of Godly-Artists and I want to share a few of those stories here.
Drummers helping Drummers helping Drummers
Over the last few years, Nolan Luther has been giving Daniel Stahl guidance as a drummer. Nolan will give musical ideas to Daniel or offer subtle (or not so subtle!) hints on what or how to play behind the drum-kit. And because of that Daniel has continued to grow as a musician and drummer and we are so blessed to have him on the team.
Recently, Legend Rolph, one of our high school students, has started playing drums on Sunday morning teams. And on Mother’s Day weekend, Daniel Stahl was playing the bass guitar and Legend was behind the drum kit. And sure enough, during that rehearsal, there was Daniel Stahl offering guidance and encouragement to Legend as a young drummer.
Nolan discipled, Daniel who then discipled, Legend. This is all in the context of playing drums, but this is discipleship through stewarding of an artistic skillset while helping others as they develop their own. (Daniel is also teaching Legend how to golf, which is certainly another discipleship opportunity!)
The credit here does not just go to Nolan and Daniel as ‘teachers. All three of these guys have a humble attitude and are receptive to input from others.
There is no ego getting in the way.
There is no arrogance that rejects coaching.
When discipleship meets a teachable person, everyone gets better.
Singers helping Singers
In the last year or so we’ve had some new singers step onto the worship team. And, each time, one of our established singers has come alongside the new members to help make them comfortable, to answer questions, or even help with working out vocal parts.
On May 18th, Janie Strickler and Kathy Bengston served alongside Christina Carpenter who was on a Sunday morning team for the first time. Kathy, in her kind and gentle way, made sure Christina was comfortable and connected, and Janie was integral as we worked out our vocal arrangements for the service.
A couple of weeks before Mother’s Day, Katie Brown reached out to me to get the songs for that Sunday a bit earlier. The reason she wanted the songs earlier was so she could have time to meet with a young singer named Maddie Oelschlager to help her work out some harmony lines. Then when they got to rehearsal, they stood next to each other and Katie continued to give encouraging guidance to Maddie.
And in our rehearsal just a few days ago, Ava Olsen sang on the team for the first time. And, standing right next to Ava was Taylor Jones helping her work out vocal parts and answer questions.
This is discipleship through the arts. This is leadership through the pathway of musical development. This is discipleship in humility and stewardship.
The charge that the LORD gave to those artists thousands of years ago in Exodus is being exemplified right here in Steamboat Rock.