A Moment With Pastor Fred

“How the Pastor Shepherds a Praise Team,” was the breakout session I attended last month at BASICS. Jonathan Albright, a member of the pastoral team at Parkside spoke (by the way – his grandfather was my pastor growing up … small world).

In many churches there is tension between pastors and musicians. Unspecified expectations are often the cause along with competing values. Tragically selfish ambition is a problem too – for both pastor and praise team. As Jonathan spoke my heart was overwhelmed with the deepest gratitude for our music ministry here. There is nothing he described like that here. I have been blessed – we as a church are blessed by having David lead our music ministry. I say that not because he’s my son but because it’s true. Others attest to that as well. And years prior to David, Susan served selflessly in facilitating this ministry too. David and Susan are not alone – for there is a host of spiritually led musicians, vocalists and sound booth technicians which play a strategic part in this ministry. It takes a team. Let each one know of your appreciation.

Jonathan reiterated the core values that must drive a worship ministry – which mirrors our principles here. God-Focused, Christ-Centered, Word-Driven, Authentically Motivated, Congregationally-Oriented (our worship gatherings aren’t spectator events for we seek to involve congregation participation), Historically-Tethered, and Evangelistically-Informed. Praise God for such. Now, let us sing to the Lord and to one another as we give thanks for this great blessing we have as a church.