Resolutions for your music program:  Starting the New Year off with purpose and passion

Out with the old and in with the new. The wheel turns faster and faster, and if we’re not careful, it’ll run right over us! So, in an effort to stay ahead of the game, let’s pause and set some sustainable goals for our music program for 2018. Let’s consider these four areas as we set your sights on tomorrow:

InReach is our day to day personalized ministry to those involved in our area of service. InReach involves weekly phone calls, messaging, email, personal visits, meetings, hospital visits, and so much more. It’s the “ministry” part of ‘Music Ministry.’ Those under our care will serve much more thoroughly, with a much greater sense of joy and purpose as we tenderly care for them.

OutReach occurs when we reach beyond the boundaries of those under our current care. Have new people joined our congregation to whom we need to reach out with encouragement to become involved in our area of ministry? Are there new musicians in our local area who need welcoming? Is it time to assemble a community chorus as an effort to touch new lives; perhaps even a Fine Arts Academy to reach young aspiring artists?

The sustainability and success of our Music Ministry is inextricably tethered to UpReach. Simply put, UpReach is our connectedness to God through daily prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with others. We may through our own power attain a level of “success” in ministry, but the true and lasting victories only come through the power of God. Remember the words of Jesus recorded in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (ESV)

BackReach is the continuing effort to bring along those who are somewhat behind us in our journey; the young pianist, aspiring conductor, student organist, beginning soloist. To ensure ministry principles endure past our own time, we must stay active training those younger than us, so they can step up when the time comes. The true success of a Music Ministry is measured in the decades following our departure from vocational service.

May God give you wisdom for your decisions, endurance for your journey and joy in your ministry as you faithfully serve in 2018.

John Parker

“How to Start a Fine Arts Academy in Your Church”