Embarking on an OLD, yet NEW Area in Ministry

[Cholette 0]

Asking for prayer and any testimonies in this new, yet old area of ministry that I'm moving into.

As a child, I took 11 years of piano and when I was 16 years old, I decided I didn't want to commit to the practicing, so my parents told me I no longer had to take lessons. As an adult...a worshiping adult...I became more and more fond of the instruments and secretly desired to play the piano again so I could worship the Lord with something than my voice.

Back in December, our church had a Christmas party and we played a game, "one thing you didn't know about me". Well for some reason I wrote down that I took 11 years of piano. Little known to me, our current keyboardist was asking God who could replace her as keyboardist because she had other projects God was moving her towards. I didn't know that my name was coming up in her Spirit, but she didn't move out on it because she didn't think I even knew anything about the piano. When they read what I wrote down at the party, she knew what was on her heart was of God.

TO make a long story short, here I am, rehearsing with her each week and learning Piano Chords...something I never learned before and after not playing the piano for over 29 years, it's nerve wrecking to say the least. The other thing that is causing fear to rise up is that my first Sunday playing in church is June 24th. I've only been rehearsing for two months and the first month was basically theory and learning the chords.

So, yes...I'm in need of some MAJOR prayer and encouragement right now. Deep within me I know that God has me and this is HIS DOING, but I know how much preparation has to do with it and there is that part of my flesh that says "girl, you are going to be embarrassed because it's only been two months". I have a friend that told me she heard God say that it will be supernaturally done through me, but that little voice in my head says, "is she just saying that because I'm her friend?" Ugh! I'm struggling today with this...can't you tell? src="https://7img.net/users/2914/64/30/69/smiles/883544.gif" longDesc="32">

PRAY FOR ME PEOPLE!!!!!!

 

[TheWhiteShadow 0]

I'll definitely be praying for you, Cholette. I am confident that you will do well. May the Lord provide you with all grace for this ministry, and may he lift you up before men for saying "yes" to his call.

Blessings,
-Mark

[dreamster 0]

i kno lordy has ur bak, and i kno how u feel ,,i was inna simila situ at one tme, i prepared as best i kood, ,,then the time came, wen i struk da strings on da first chord, the lord came in da room, ,,im beleavin the same 4 u, [piano]

[Cholette 0]

Thanky you guys...I appreciate it...

[lola21st 2]

Cholette -

I know your faith is the Lord is strong and your faith in yourself must be as strong. What I mean is that you know that the Lord is going to work through you - in order to calm your nerves, (in addition to prayer) you have to keep practicing. Keep doing/preparing everything that is within your control and then leave the rest to God. You do your part, and let Him do his part.

Praying for you!

[Deborah 0]

Hey Cholette!
I have been playing piano and composing music all my life and have played in many churches and crusades large and small, so I have a little experience in this area. Let me encourage you to step into this calling. I'm proud of you for even considering it, and yes, I will pray for you as the Lord leads me.
I hope it's okay to share with you my two cents about music ministry:
1. It's vital. I was reading in Psalms where David says "Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle" (Ps 144:1) and I realized my piano playing was warfare!

2. Because it's warfare, the enemy will try to discourage you. He'll play on your insecurities, he'll take sensitive, artistic people on the praise team and cause hurts--it's par for the course.

3. Psalms does say we are to play skillfully, but as I'm sure you know God does look at our hearts when we worship Him. If you're not playing every musical phrase perfectly, but you've practiced and you're doing the best you can, then that has to be good enough. I've seen talented, musical people beaten down by perfectionists. I know one time I was playing at a Bible convention and my fingers were so cold. they could hardly move! I butchered part of a song and I was sooooo embarassed! But you know what? That song really ministered to a lot of people (who came up to me afterward) anyway, probably more than had I played it perfectly.

4. When you first began to play in a church, you're likely to get lots of pats on the back, but after awhile people do tend to take you for granted. This is how we turn from people pleasing to God pleasing. And people in the congregation can say some hurtful things. One may say you play too fast, another may say you play too slow all in the same day!

5. See again point 1. This ministry is crucial. Someone once said a song lasts longer than a sermon in the memory and I think this is often true. A lady recently told me she was having a rough day and one of my songs came into her mind and encouraged her! This is no little matter!!!!

So I hope I haven't scared you off! Keep practicing, do your best and the Lord will do the rest!!!!--Debbie, off her pulpit now, practicing what she's preaching

[Cholette 0]

lola21st wrote:

Cholette -

I know your faith is the Lord is strong and your faith in yourself must be as strong. What I mean is that you know that the Lord is going to work through you - in order to calm your nerves, (in addition to prayer) you have to keep practicing. Keep doing/preparing everything that is within your control and then leave the rest to God. You do your part, and let Him do his part.

Praying for you!

Amen Lurdys...I know this to be true. Thank you!

[Cholette 0]

Deborah wrote:

Hey Cholette!
I have been playing piano and composing music all my life and have played in many churches and crusades large and small, so I have a little experience in this area. Let me encourage you to step into this calling. I'm proud of you for even considering it, and yes, I will pray for you as the Lord leads me.
I hope it's okay to share with you my two cents about music ministry:
1. It's vital. I was reading in Psalms where David says "Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle" (Ps 144:1) and I realized my piano playing was warfare!

2. Because it's warfare, the enemy will try to discourage you. He'll play on your insecurities, he'll take sensitive, artistic people on the praise team and cause hurts--it's par for the course.

3. Psalms does say we are to play skillfully, but as I'm sure you know God does look at our hearts when we worship Him. If you're not playing every musical phrase perfectly, but you've practiced and you're doing the best you can, then that has to be good enough. I've seen talented, musical people beaten down by perfectionists. I know one time I was playing at a Bible convention and my fingers were so cold. they could hardly move! I butchered part of a song and I was sooooo embarassed! But you know what? That song really ministered to a lot of people (who came up to me afterward) anyway, probably more than had I played it perfectly.

4. When you first began to play in a church, you're likely to get lots of pats on the back, but after awhile people do tend to take you for granted. This is how we turn from people pleasing to God pleasing. And people in the congregation can say some hurtful things. One may say you play too fast, another may say you play too slow all in the same day!

5. See again point 1. This ministry is crucial. Someone once said a song lasts longer than a sermon in the memory and I think this is often true. A lady recently told me she was having a rough day and one of my songs came into her mind and encouraged her! This is no little matter!!!!

So I hope I haven't scared you off! Keep practicing, do your best and the Lord will do the rest!!!!--Debbie, off her pulpit now, practicing what she's preaching

Wow Deborah! Didn't know you were a Musician. Even tough much of what you shared I know already, for some reason when you shared this, it ministered to me all over again. My problem is that I'm too focused on the calendar and how long I have before I'm playing...which includes the songs for the special music by he praise team. I know that learning chords I'll allow me to do this however, thinking of the time is driving me bananas.

So lik you and Lurdys have said...just practice and let God do the rest.

[Ruth89 0]

Hi Cholette! You most certainly have my prayers. As you feel so drawn to do it, I'm sure it will all work out just fine with Gods help :)

Funny, I was drawn to read your prayer post for some reason. I used to play the organ and piano for church since I was 11 years old. Being spiritually immature back then I didn't always realize what a blessing and privelige it is to be able to play as a form of worship; though I did feel called to do it, especially in my younger years. I used to teach piano too. I've had a 15 year break from it now. And if I picked it up again I'd have to learn chords too as I'm classically trained.

So... good on you for learning your chords - WELL DONE and keep at it. I'm sure God would be very proud of you!! The first few times is understandably the hardest. Don't be too hard on yourself if you make a few mistakes here and there - just keep the flow of the music going!!

[Cholette 0]

Thank you Ruth...

Yes, played as a child too (classically) and didn't appreciate it at all. There is an excitement in it for me, yet a fear because it's new and the church I go to is prophetic and there is a prophetic flow that has everything to do with the music. It's a lot of pressure, but I have to relinquish it all on the Lord and rest in the fact that it's HIS gift working through me. I can't lean on my flesh to get this done...it's not by might, nor by power, but it's by His Spirit.

Thank you for your kind encouragement...

[Ruth89 0]

Hi Cholette,

I came across this pianist on you tube (by accident when I was choosing some worship music) who teaches about how to play reflective style music in churches. Just incase you were interested in it too, thought I'd share it with you ... http://greghowlett.com

I pray your playing will go well

[Cholette 0]

Thank you Ruth!

The website s a great resource!!

[Dove-Solutions 0]

Paying in agreement with you Cholette. Follow his lead....be obedient....all with be well.

Love in Jesus,

Connie