The Young Music Minister
Benjamin Vandiver
Are you called?
* Being young is not a problem in being successful in the music ministry. In fact, many older music ministers are not successful in their positions. The fundamental starting point of being successful in
any area of ministry comes from the call of God. Without a calling into the ministry you WILL BE unsuccessful. This may not be visible immediately, but you will not last. Are you called?
“Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king…” Ecclesiastes 4:9
* A true relationship and understanding of God can make an 18 year old as mature as any other adult. Sharpen your sword! You must stay spiritually fit.
“And by faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went”
Pastoral Relationship
* Surrounding yourself with those bigger than you will make you rise to their level.
* Outside of your relationship with God, there is nothing more important to your long-term success than your Pastoral relationship.
* You must feel confident in your relationship with the man of God in your life.
* There is a very clear line of man of God and employer. He is first your pastor and secondly your boss.
* Know what is expected of you.
* Becoming too close to can severely damage your relationship. How you view him is bigger than you realize.
Time Management
* Wake up in the morning and go to work!
* Prioritize your life.
1. God
2. Family
3. Work/Church
* You must stay self-motivated or you WILL fall apart!
* “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster” Proverbs 18:9
* “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:12
* Observe at least one day off every week.
* Delegate as many tasks as possible.
* Exceed others expectations of a typical Music Minister.
* Teach lessons of your expertise. This will benefit you is many areas.
o Mentorship of others
o Future church music department
o Staying busy
o Financially
Respect is Earned not Demanded!
* How do you earn respect?
1. Being consistent
2. Being prompt and on time
3. Following through with what you say you will do.
4. Take responsibility for mistakes that you make
5. Having pastoral respect
6. Giving respect
7. Time
Respect does not mean becoming a doormat!
* Your Pastor can give you INSTANT respect.
Mentorship
* Having a mentor is vital in surviving the week-to-week brutality of the music ministry.
* A mentor is someone who can push you along the way, and you can call and lean upon.
* You must be accountable to someone.
* Surround yourself with excellence, and value those who know more than you!
* Find a Paul who can be your spiritual director. Find a Timothy who can receive what you have to give.
Relational Conflicts
* You cannot use age as an excuse to act immature! You are not in an immature position. You must educate yourself and prepare yourself to deal with circumstances in an ethical and appropriate manner.
* Choose your battles wisely. A wise pastor once asked his young, passionate music minister, �Son, is this the hill you want to die on?” Some struggles are worth the risk, other will be regrets.
* What is the core problem of the battle? It is most likely linked to a spiritual problem?
* What is a real battle?
o Discipline.
o Humbleness.
o Righteousness.
* Familiarity breeds contempt!
* Helping People, People are number one!
Burn Out
* Do you know what is expected of you? Many times we put more on ourselves than is ever expected from our pastors!
* Give yourself time to grow!
* Don’t base your self worth on what you do as a musician!
* Don’t take yourself too seriously. Young ministers usually bolt out of the gate ready to save the world. God has his own plan to save the world already established!
Your Reputation
* Perception is reality!
* It is unfair, but you must guard your reputation like you value your life.
Your Future
* What is your life calling?
* What are you other interests?
* Make things easy for yourself!
* Plant your roots early, surrounding yourself with excellent people!
The Bottom Line
* The beginning secret to great leadership is found in Acts 1:8; 2:4
* People more than projects
* Movement more than maintenance
* Art more than science
* Intuition more than formula
* Vision more than procedure
* Risk more than caution
* Action more than reaction
* Relationships more than rules
* What you are more than what you do
Recommended Reading
* The Heart of the Artist’ Rory Noland
* “From Performance to Praise”, Joe Pace
* “Ultimate Leadership; Volume 1”, Nathaniel J. Wilson
* “Get a Giant Hat Rack”, Cheri Walters
* “The 360 Degree Leader”, John C. Maxwell
* “Thriving as an Artist in the Church”, Rory Noland
* “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”, John C. Maxwell
The above article, “The Young Music Minister,” was written by Benjamin Vandiver. The article was borrowed with permission from Vandiver’s music class in IBC MusicFest 2008. The material is most likely copyrighted and should not be reprinted under any other name or author. However, this material may be freely used for personal study or research purposes.
