A Heart of Worship

The past couple of months have been pretty fun, but somewhat busy. Vacations, VBS, choosing this season's choral repitoire, and now attending a worship leader's conference in Anderson, Indiana. Anderson is home to Bill and Gloria Gaither's music studio, as well as Praise Gathering Music Group, who put on this conference. It's the first they've put on like this. So far, I'm loving it! You can guess by the title that I wanted to write about the importance of having "A Heart of Worship," but I also wanted to share my experiences from VBS with you as well.

I was asked to lead the music at VBS this year, which was very exciting! I went to Vacation Bible School from age 5 to age 11. I always loved the themes and the cool songs that they designed to go with it. It was so different leading the music; however, than it is simply singing and doing the motions. It was scary at first, and very stressful. People don't understand how hard it is to project your voice when the keys are a little too high and you're in a gym with fans blowing and children chattering. Throughout the week, it definitely got easier, and far more enjoyable. I was to open us in worship (10-15 minutes) and close us in worship (15 minutes). I also worked with my good friend Adriane in the music shop, and had a blast. I loved seeing the children's faces light up when you would show them and instrument, or even begin to speak with them about God. What was really awesome to me is that by the end of the week, I knew all of their names, and they all knew me too.

                                                                   Our music shop

The following Sunday morning, I had a row of children singing in the choir behind me. Our prayer song was "Abba Father." When we sang that song, and I heard the kids singing that, it reminded me of a song called "My Abba's Child." I could barely keep myself together. It touched my heart. Kids are precious, and remind us of who we need to focus on: God.

My friends mean so much to me. They know that they can come to me about anything and know that I will help them in any way that I can. Whether they come to me in my office at church, call me, text me, or come up to me outside of church, they know that I'm always there. My friend Adriane recently had surgery on her foot. They asked me to come with them when she was having surgery to support her, so me and her best friend Hayley (also one of my good friends) went with her that day. I wanted to be there for my friend, and knowing that I was wanted there made me feel good; like I mattered. She said from the beginning of her surgery that she wanted no pictures of her in the hospital, but after they gave her some meds, she INSISTED that I take a pic and post it all over the place, so I did; however, I won't post it on my blog... I'm not that mean.

                                                                       Me and Adri

Alright, I'm done with story time. Now here's what I want everyone to get out of this post. Ask yourself this question: What is a heart of worship? Can you answer? It probably varies from person to person. To me, a heart of worship is when your desire to live for Christ becomes a consuming fire. It's something that people see, and as a worship leader, it's so important that everyone see that you have a heart of worship. It sets the tone for worship, and let's face it, if the leader isn't into it, will the congregation be?? My friends recently lost someone that they met at church camp. He passed away, and a couple of them took it pretty hard. Seeing a heart of worship on stage that following Sunday may not have made everything better, but it did offer some comfort. When we become engaged with God in worship, we cast all our cares upon Him, and we're reminded of who's in control. I'm still here for my friends if they need me. I spend a lot of time in prayer asking God that He would allow them to see what He has for them. For example, Adriane is blessed with musical talent. I pray that God would allow her to see what He's given her, and that she would use her talents to glorify God, as I have chosen to... just as we all should.

My prayer is that no matter where I am, people would see the heart of worship in me. I hope that the kids saw it at VBS and in church. I hope that my friends see it when they talk to me, or when I'm with them (be it in thick or thin). I pray that people would see God working through me. I pray that my work in the ministry would inspire just one person. Do you have a heart of worship? Are you using your talents to better His Kingdom? I'm not perfect, nor do I pretend to be, but I do try to glorify God with my talents.

"I'm coming back to the heart of worship, 'cuz it's all about You... all about You, Jesus. I'm sorry, Lord for the thing I've made it, when it's all about You... all about You, Jesus"
-Matt Redman, "Heart of Worship"

Introduction- How I Got Here

The title of this blog pretty much explains what this blog is all about. Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am 15 years old. I'm the youngest music minister in the state of Arkansas, and I am in love with my job, and I love the Lord. I'm the Minister of Music at Bayou Meto Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Arkansas. I've gone to church there all my life, and I never thought I'd be in this position.

In the spring of 2011, our music minister was called away and resigned. When he resigned, the church leadership team appointed a group of individuals to serve as the music search committee. My father served on this team, and he also served as our temperary worship leader. Another member on the team would serve as choral director for that year's Easter cantata. The team continued to seek out the right person for the job. In October, no one had selected a Christmas cantata. We were not going to have the choir sing a Christmas cantata. I didn't think that was right, so I selected a cantata called "A Song in the Air." When asked who was to direct it, I said, "I will." Now, I've been in Region choir, and school choir, and honor choir, and any other choir there is, but I'd never directed a choir. I took so much time learning it. It's no easy task, and it was a learning experience. The Christmas cantata ran smoothly, and I had already selected Easter music and planned rehearsals. When the new year came, my dad asked me to step in as a fill-in worship leader, and choir practice for Easter began. The search committee asked to speak with me. Shortly after this, I went through an interview process, and they voted to bring me before the church as a candidate for Music Minister. We had a time of question and answer and a fellowship. On March 25th, 2012, the pastor called a special business meeting to order to vote. I was voted in and accepted the position as Minister of Music at 7:00 PM. We presented our Easter cantata on Easter Sunday, and it went very smoothly.

                                                      This is me accepting the position
                                                      and shaking Bro. David's hand.

                                                 This is part of our Easter choir 2012         
                                                   
When I accepted the job, my job description was given to me. Some of my responsibilites are listed below:
Serve as leader of the Worship team
Serve on the church Leadership team
Direct the sancuary choir
Develop new choirs (such as children, youth, 50+, etc.) as the church grows
Oversee the ordinences (Lord's Supper and Baptisms)
Oversee use of the Audio/Visual Equipment
Select music for all worship services
Select music for the choir to present as specials
Offer assistance in selection of special music for individuals
Offer assistance at special services such as weddings and funerals
Oversee the music library

These are the ones that I can think quickly. There's a lot that needs taken care of. It's more than picking some songs out and putting them in the bulletin. When that's all I do, the church needs someone else because we never need to lose sight of what really matters. We need to keep a heart of worship, and focus on God. The main focus on this blog is going to be a journey, yes, but my journey is God-inspired. I didn't think I'd be in this position, but time and time again, God shows us that he doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called.

This post was just kind of an informative one. I'll post as often as I can. Hopefully you'll enjoy!

In Christ,

Benjamin Brockinton
Minister of Music, BMBC