A fellow worship leader friend started a blog for his church where he posts new songs, thoughts on worship, and his heart for worship - so I'm trying it out myself!
It is truly my privileged to lead worship at Kingston Ave Baptist Church. In May my wife and I will have officially been there for 2 years. The time has flown by! We have so much to be thankful for! I wanted to think back on what God has done at Kingston over the past two years and give him glory. Here are 5 things (I could have named a lot more), from a music worship perspective where we've seen His hand at work:
1. Increase in vibrant, heartfelt adoration of our Savior. This is the whole goal right? I've seen our church grow so much in the past two years. We haven't arrived (will we ever until glory?) but we're further today than we were yesterday. I'm thankful that God has been gracious to us and ever increased to open our eyes to His glory. I see people singing more, with a higher level of engagement and that's what we're praying for.
2. Infusion of talent. We're currently a church of about 110 people. Yet, we have more talent than many churches twice our size. Over the past two years God has give us 2 new singers, a drummer, and an additional piano player. We have some amazing talent that God is developing for His glory. In particular we, as a worship team, prayed feverishly that God would send us a drummer. In December of 2012 our drummer started playing with us after attending Kingston for about 8 months. God still answers prayer. Amen.
3. New church leadership structure. What does this have to do with music worship you may ask? Everything. God is most glorified when we are unapologetic in proclaiming his word and take what it says serious, particularly in the area of how he lays out a church should be governed. We now have an awesome balance of multiple elders along with great deacons to serve the church well. This only fuels the fire of unashamed adoration!
4. Shift in music ministry mindset. We're always learning. Life is about growing and spiritually is no exception. I'm thankful for godly teachers in my own life who have taught me about worshiping God more effectively in spirit and in truth. I grew up in a church that was largely "head up worship." Routine, mostly doctrinally sound hymns were the norm, with some southern gospel feel good songs mixed in. Yet I have grown in the conviction that God is most honored in fresh, meaningful adoration that is more than just head up worship, but heart felt passionate adoration. Our church has deep traditional roots. As a congregation we're growing in this area. Just as Rome wasn't built in a day, we won't get there overnight but I see it starting to click in people's faces. God's opening hearts and minds to see worship as more than just an intellectual exercise but it's mind, will and emotions. Love it that some are tasting God's glory. Once you taste it, you only want more.
5. Sacrifice. I was pondering a way to write the concept of the level of service, love, and time-surrendering action that I see among the worship team and since I'm not a very poetic guy the only word I could think of is sacrifice. Our worship team has talent and skill and they give it their all. All of us have full time jobs, yet they are faithful and diligent. To God be the glory that we've seen His hand at work in putting a servant's heart in so many people. I'm amazed. They are an inspiration to me.
We have a lot more work ahead. The job is not over, but the joy is only growing! There is no better job than praising the one that is worthy of all our praise. While we could be doing a lot of things; there are only a handful of things that have eternal value that we could be investing in... and this is one of them.
I'm thankful for our 2 years at Kingston. May God be gracious to us and give us many more fruitful years, for the glory of His name!
Jason Reeves
Elder, Minister of Music
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