Day 3 of the Alleluia Conference

It seems like each day this week has had its' own theme. Day 1 was refreshment and challenge. Day 2 was realizing the things that I have not done well and need to focus in on improvement. Today, day 3 was a much more positive day. The theme? I am not alone. I can do this.

I spent the first session discussing with Robbie Seay (and a few others) about how best to pastor/minister to our teams. This was quite convicting based on how I haven't done that well with my Praise Team, but the more I was thinking about it, it's much deeper than that. But it is pointless to beat myself up over what I didn't do. The thoughts in my head now turn to how to make those big and small changes to do a better job of connecting, ministering to and caring for those in the Music Ministry at King of Kings.

After a music reading session and worship, I met up with two dear friends who I respect so greatly, Kim and David Angerman. It was good to chat with them, bounce ideas off of them, and be encouraged and blessed by them. I met them 2 years ago at the Alleluia Conference, and God has blessed me by having them in my life. After lunch, I was able to help them set up for David's presentation.

Another music reading session (I have done a LOT of singing this week!), I went to another Robbie Seay session. Another tremendous blessing in discussing the balance between musical excellence and authenticity, a definite buzzword in worship circles nowadays. It was reinforcement to what I tell my voice students, and what I need to tell every singer I work with.....it's great that you're musically, rhythmically accurate and precise, singing with wonderful tone and diction, but you have to be believable. Personalize the song!

Finally, I did something that challenged me. I went to a session on the organ. I was on scholarship for organ in college. Back when I was in 2nd grade, I went to a Paul Manz hymn sing, and it was when I decided I wanted to play the organ. But, over the years, I have lost that desire, excitement and enthusiasm for playing the organ. That wouldn't be too much of a problem, except for the reality that it is part of my job! So, I need to spend time rediscovering why I wanted to play the organ, why I have loved the organ for the majority of my life. Today helped immensely with that. We had a discussion about moving forward, how best to get congregations to support organ music, how to get younger people excited and interested in the organ. In all of this, the realization from this whole week hit me. And this is the way to summarize this week:

I am called to serve the church through music. I am expected to be the expert, yet not be a know-it-all. To do my best, I cannot do it all myself. I have to involve others.

When it comes to the organ, a big part of it has been my ongoing frustration with the instrument I have to play. So what? It's an instrument. It's better than no instrument. That's something I have to get over and deal with. The other aspect of where my struggle has been is that I have not put in the time to practice and better myself, as I should have been. I've made excuses, and I have the time to do it. I just have to do it!

Tonight is the opportunity to sit around a quiet house and get a few things thought through and put together, and get ready to head out after my morning sessions! I am ready to head home and start to figure out how to put all of this into action, and how to start incorporating others and their ideas, gifts and abilities in the music ministry. I have some ideas already that I am starting to put together and I am hopeful that there is a positive response!