When contemplating the most vital qualities a music ministry team should embody, one might naturally think of qualities like discipline, excellence, talent, humility, and strong leadership. These are undeniably essential. Yet, I propose we also recognize an often overlooked, yet equally crucial attribute: unity. And not just unity, but a persistent unity that can only be achieved through concerted, Spirit-wrought effort on the part of each individual in the ministry.
In connecting this to Scripture, consider 1 Corinthians 1:10:
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. (ESV)
In its original context, Paul is exhorting the Christians in the Corinthian church who were grappling with strife and division within their congregation. My prayer, by God’s grace, is that such discord is not present in your ministry. If it is, I pray the Lord will restore harmony, heal fractured relationships, and unite your team for his glory and the service of his church.
But even if your team appears to be unified, there are still important lessons to glean from this text, reminding us to remain vigilant and humble in our pursuit of harmony.
In The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord and Zuck write:
Paul appealed to brothers, not to adversaries, in the most authoritative fashion, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the 10th reference to Christ in the first 10 verses, leaving no doubt as to the One Paul believed should be the source and focus of Corinthian unity. His appeal was for harmony, not the elimination of diversity. He desired a unity of all the parts, like a quilt of various colors and patterns blended together in a harmonious whole.
It is important to recognize that Paul does not advocate for total uniformity thought or practice. In our context as a music ministry team, this is point is vital. We must agree on essential Christian doctrines, but varied opinions in music open doors for growth and learning that we might not encounter otherwise. So, the call for unity should not be mistaken as a call for sameness. Rather, I believe Paul is urging the Corinthians toward a harmony of spirit.
In the arena of music ministry, we should strive to engage with one another in love and unity. Practically, this means taking time to truly get to know one another. Avoid defaulting to the same cliques, if they exist within the larger group. Share openly, rather than speaking behind closed doors, as secrecy can lead to division.
Here are a few suggestions for ways you and your team can apply these principles practically:
- Take the time to ask a teammate you don’t usually connect with how you can pray for them this week, and be intentional about following up the next Sunday.
- Before sharing a thought, ensure it’s uplifting, constructive, and at a minimum, respectful for the group. When you do share, do so openly rather than privately unless appropriate.
- While at times it may be constructive to challenge and exhort, be mindful not to mistake bluntness or a lack of tact for being direct.
- Seek opportunities to contribute or assist before offering a critique or opinion. Often, a problem isn’t as simple from the inside as it appears from the outside.
The ultimate purpose of persistent unity is to bring glory to the Lord (Rom 15:5-6). Cultivating an environment where ideas can be shared openly and communication flows smoothly will empower those in your ministry to serve one another more effectively, and, ultimately, to serve the body of Christ as they gather to worship with songs of praise. So, next time you get together, dedicate yourselves to loving one another and valuing each other’s diverse perspectives, all while striving continually for harmony in Christ—for the glory of God.
