The Silent KILLER of Church Musicians

[@tyronecrawford7245]

Wow!! Thanks for sharing. When I was 16 a choir from Memphis came to my small hometown. I’ve heard good music before but this choir and band was different. It caused me to start thinking about being Saved. About two months later God saved me and filled me with the Holy Ghost. After the Lord saved me I asked if He would teach me to play music and if He would, I’ll give Him the glory. Three weeks later I was playing music. I ended up studying music in school and earned a Master’s degree in music education. I’ve had a great career in music where I was Minister of Music for a large church for over 20+ years and has taught music for many years. Today I’m working at a hospital teaching music to people who are mentally ill and those with substance abuse. Believe it or not teaching these people is making a tremendous impact on their lives. All of this started because a 16 year old kid heard an anointed choir and band that God used to change my life forever.

[@GoldenGraham25]

That’s beautiful, Tyrone❤ Keep up the good work.

[@mr.dennis5503]

Hey, Ty! Yeah, it's your big bro, Dennis! Thanks for sharing your testimony!

[@DavidEffi]

Glory to God!

[@frankspikes7858]

Glory to YHWH. That's awesome!!

[@7777Lace]

Awesome 👏🏽

[@muzikmana.k.aseriousman9078]

Musicians needed to hear that We all got to be humble

[@7777Lace]

FAX

[@phoebeflanders]

Truth.

[@calebnicolas9490]

Exactly ‼️‼️

[@abcd-wg2iq]

Yes musicians, be humble because you are really not that important. This thruth could hurt some egos but in the end it sets you free.

[@firstnamelastname956]

Actual musicians shouldn’t be involved in a church band to begin with. If you want to be a studio musician, sure. If you have actual talent, want to get creative, or play how you want, then a church band is NOT where you need to be.

[@theresasimmons9007]

Many times the sweetest spirits flow from the most humble singers & musicians. Stay in the word and always pray!

[@carification]

YOU GOT THAT RIGHT. many times it having the spirit than great skill and talent 😊😊

[@davidwhite8158]

It's all about leadership. The right pastors, the right music director, make a world of difference in your church experience.

[@rklewis2]

I've been a guitarist for almost five decades. I've been playing at our church for about 20 years. I just can't imagine anyone coming in and being egotistical. This has nothing to do with ego. My job is to be but a part of the whole. That's it. I've had people tell me that they couldn't hear me. Now, I KNOW I'm loud enough to be heard, so I take that more as I'm doing what I set out to do, which is just be one color of the entire music pallet being played. I treat everyone the same, because music isn't a competition or about ego. Especially worship music.

[@enigmo20]

Praise the Lord you never had to deal with this. Unfortunately, that’s not for all of us…

[@basicforge]

Amen to that. I've been playing guitar in my church's worship team for 15 years. I'm so proud of the humble servants in our team. I don't understand what ego has to do with leading worship. Keep up the good work!

[@rklewis2]

@@basicforge Exactly! If I were to play my guitar alone for a few moments, people would quite possibly think I was too loud, lol. When everyone else is playing, I'm just in there somewhere, and no one would think it was too loud.

[@basicforge]

@@rklewis2 LOL Yeah, that's what happens when you have half dozen musicians all playing at once. I don't worry about being heard. That's the job of the guys at the sound board. ;) I do want to be able to hear myself playing and everyone else well enough to play along.

[@rklewis2]

@@basicforge I'm right there with you. That's exactly what I think as well.

[@Reub3]

My church has always suffered the misery of diva musicians for 35years. We opted for the beginner musicians. They're more humble and are just plain happy to be given the opportunity to learn and play during service.

[@gohjohan]

What happens when they progress past the beginner stage? I've been there and I'm now end up covering both electric guitar and bass.

[@artiefount]

Th musicians in my church are not divas, not highly trained, but lift the rest of us to a very high spirituality and sense of worship nevertheless and I could not ask for more!

[@gohjohan]

@@artiefount neither are the ones in my church. We are not professionals who gig out of church. Many times I feel that I'm the one holding them back. I know this because when I play back the recording I made during the worship service, I feel like burying myself.

[@williamrex3066]

I played for a well known gospel group here in Cape Town, South Africa. So one night at a concert, we played first so me and another singer went to the dressing room of the other band doing the second half of the concert. I just knocked once as I could hear that they were about to get ready to go on stage, just in time to hear one of them said.. "Let's go show Witness a thing or two.. I reversed and decided that night to never ever play at a gospel concert again.

[@firstnamelastname956]

So you want newer musicians who don’t care to be bullied around and told to play a certain way for the sake of pleasing an arrogant band leader and play by their rules? Nah.

[@ArchieBC]

This message is so on point I want to hug you! I fell into an “ego rut” for a time until the pastor’s wife gave us all a reminder of what role we played in the church and who we were playing to.

[@jimpemberton]

There are church people who happen to do music ministry. Then there are musicians who happen to do church gigs. I did undergrad work in voice and was a professional trombone player for a season. (I also did undergrad work in physics and Bible.) However, my primary axe is keyboard on which I still gig, but out of my role as a Christian minister. I have a graduate seminary degree in theology and do mission work. So I understand the world of musicians. I'm also the lead sound engineer for my church. Many in my position try to make a good sound and end at that. My goal is not primarily to make a good sound, though that's entailed in my primary goal. My primary goal is to facilitate the worship of the almighty God. I need to be invisible. The sound system needs to be invisible. The musicians on stage need to be invisible. I don't want anyone thinking about anything but their Lord Jesus and the Godhead he reveals. The minister of music at my church agrees and he actively prepares the musicians for this task, ministering to them spiritually so that we don't get egos in the music ministry. In the old testament, the musicians would precede the warriors into battle, and we are doing spiritual warfare through music. If we don't fight the battle for our own hearts, we can't fight the battle for the hearts of the congregation.

[@DivineMunika]

Wait bùt what do u do in a situation were people praise you for playing well during worship do behave humbled or jus ignore them 🤔

[@jimpemberton]

@@DivineMunika If you're heart is in the right place, simply thank them for their compliment. It' hrd not to be noticed if you're on stage leading worship in some capacity, but the goal is still to direct people toward God, not yourself.

[@ishm1592]

Well said!! Music as well as vocals are a means, not the "steam" of a church gathering. The Holy Spirit IS to BE FRONT and CENTER of it ALL!!

[@GentleRailings]

Former guitar and bass church musician here. To be honest, there's too much distractions and temptations for musicians. Even when I'm not playing and just.in the pews. Now, I prefer to attend worship services with just piano and hymns and where the Bible is solidly teached and preached.

[@phoebeflanders]

Glad that works for you. Not true for everyone. I've had decades of positive, loving, communal, humble-yet-fulfilling musical moments with my band. Wouldn't change anything. Hope to continue for many more years.

[@miguellogistics984]

That is where I am at, after opening every Major Christian Music Festival in 1987. As for crowds that topped out at 10K at Wilmore KY that year. I opened for Mylon more times than I can remember, and Petra about 5 times that year. Met about 5 real Christians in that Year and a Half. Also saw the Gospel being changed depending upon the crowd. I remember my final CCConcert performance where when it was done there were about 40 or 50 young teen girls on the side stage screaming my name like I was Michael W. Smith or something. Like so much that is going on all around us. It is all just a false construct. Even this Construct is false for a purpose as Heaven and Earth are both Temporal, and will pass away, and HE will make all new when the War is over. The War against GOD's WORD, the War in Heaven and Earth, is all about THE FATHER, HIS Character, for HE stands Falsely Accused, and will remain so until the 3rd Dispensation. Thus, there is no reason and little time for all of the commercialism, business, ego, half measured sermons and messaging. The one who made each of us in HIS Image, and anything that we ever thought was wonderful and amazing, is on trial. What are you doing about it? If the world is your friend, then you are playing GOD's Enemy. It is so easy now to see the falseness of everything about us, now that the economy has been shut off, the consumption of media driven culture shut off. and the gods of the pagans have been revealed nakedly showing Bob Larsen and John Ankerberg were always dead on about the pagan nature of America, to now point out how absolutely and exquisitely perfect and GLORIOUS our GOD is compared to the empty and vacuous blood and self worship that the other gods have always been. Now that the Federal Government pays the state governments to have their schools convince children to have parts cut off of them, we can clearly see why it is so characteristic of CHRIST that HE comes with an iron scepter to crack some heads.

[@andreegross]

I hate modern praise music. It teaches nothing.

[@gnote6850]

I hear you brother

[@Gibson1976uk]

Same here! I use to be a main guitar player for a church, I have always had passion for guitar and always played what they wanted! I had the skills etc. I played from the heart but overtime you just grow tired of other musicians making all political!! the most annoying musicians are the ones who are not that good on musical levels but have big egos!! I’ve seen guys try and show a great piano player how to play a tune?? and they sit there playing very basic chords like they are special?? then they get into position and become a leader because a pastors team think arrogance and being a big mouth is leadership??? Time to go :)

[@robintanner3247]

I am 70. I was in Music Ministry for 35 years. I ran sound. I sang backup. I led Praise and Worship. This message is 100 percent Truth..... Thank you for posting this.

[@7777Lace]

Being a self taught Multi-Instrumentalist, I didn’t grow up in the Church & @ the age of 18 I became a Christian & joined a Pentecostal Church in Brooklyn NYC. And @ 62 years of age today, with over 40 years of playing music in Church & in the Secular field, I’ve ALWAYS understood & RESPECTED the power of MUSIC!!! And I know that the BEST ABILITY IS AVAILABILITY, coupled with HUMILITY!!! Salute! 🫡 🙏🏽👏🏽🙌🏽

[@MikeAndDawnGineseMusic]

Well said!❤Dawn(Mike too)

[@michaelagbay4212]

I'm a drummer that has been playing worship for over 25 years. I experienced 2 new musicians on our team. Keyboard and bass player. The first service we played together the bass player was over playing. He was showing his chops and playing on the high register. After the service o spoke with him and suggested in a calm way that maybe he should play less and help me hold down the groove. He was much younger than me. He got defensive and angry. He started yelling at me and swearing right in church. I told him to stop and think about where he is whom he is serving. Then I walked away. This video is important content. God can not use you or move the people in your church if you are using the pulpit to perform. I just felt the need to share on this topic. Thanks brother for sharing this video. May our Lord Jesus continue to use you for his glory. God be with you always.

[@Doty6String]

That’s the definition of immaturity

[@DragoonMS]

​@@Doty6String That there's just: Immature, Unprofessional, and just downright absolutely *SLOPPY*. Just goes to show who's only in it to showboat or to collect a check...

[@robfriedrich2822]

I also experienced the spirit of rebellion. We had a guitar player, our pastor wanted us to include him. He didn't sing the melodies correctly, tried to play something, that didn't match, told me, that we do Easy Listening music and didn't understand, that he was pretty careless. After he moved in another country, he showed, that his repentance about a bigger sin, wasn't real, that he told the pastor, what he wanted to hear, that he is allowed to play guitar in our band. I would have said "after one year we can decide about you as Band memver", to avoid it, that he fakes something, but the pastor was so convinced and the guitar player was able to hide, that he didn't really repent.

[@firstnamelastname956]

If he’s a musician that “overplays” why would he be in a church band…. No offense, but the church musicians seem really uptight about this kind of stuff, it limits creativity.

[@patrickcannell2258]

Spiritually a secular musician!

[@eduardoprieto5267]

God bless the abandoned woman, such a sad reality. Having experienced a similar family betrayal myself, it never gos away and you question everything you did in your life. Ill pray and hope she finds a living angel to hold her and be by her side. God bless all.

[@jeffreys.harris3433]

Uuhhĥ the word of God is the most important part of the service 🙌

[@cpajacinthanabawanukakazir1819]

But also the word of God can be preached thru song

[@user-dh3qc3pq3g]

2 Chronicles 20:20-22, Psalm 68:25, Joshua 6:1-27… I get it. To many ministries have placed more emphasis on great worship than they do solid biblical teaching. This makes for a hollow understanding of faith and the character of God. Presentation of the word is pre-eminent, and opening with worship and prayer creates an atmosphere where hearts are opened and made ready to receive of His word. This is why in so many places in the scriptures, the singers, musicians and worshipers were on the front lines of Israel’s battles.

[@MissiSIMPi]

All of it is important because it gives us an opportunity to sacrifice, worship and praise God. We can also be inspired by God's word collectively and individually, which can persuade others to love God for the first time and change their lives.

[@karlcountry2363]

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! psalms 95:1

[@amysantiago-dubsky5151]

I'm not sure if you were agreeing with him or stating that the preaching was the most important part. But either way I'll explain how our church does it. Our worship team ties songs in that go with what the pastor is preaching on/word of God. So it's equally important. Some people are moved by God in different ways. It doesn't mean something is wrong if you are moved by the spirit more by the music, it just means they are doing their job right.

[@Stink777]

the reason we're musicians is to honor the most high with our talents and use it as a tool for fellowship. God speed brothers, this is a spiritual war.

[@firstnamelastname956]

Not every musician is involved in an over controlling church band….

[@JoshuaPlaysMusic]

exactly!

[@flowmaka]

This presentation is the best one you’ve done by far! This is what it is all about! We are music ministers and people need to be set free by what God has given us. We don’t need to take it for granted! It starts with humility and respect for all of God’s people! Peace and blessings!

[@TheGoldMindEffect]

To God Be The Glory 🙌🏾

[@treboryoung2167]

I've been a musician in church for almost 50 years, I have seen a lot, good and bad but now it seems like many church services and "concerts" are nothing more than a gospel talent show! You have singers trying to show you EVERY run possible from the begining of the song to the end of the song trying to impress other singers and you have bands also trying to show you EVERY lick possible from the beging of the song to the end of the song trying to impress other bands. None of this has anything to do with giving praise and honor to God, this is about singers and musicians seeking praise FOR THEMSELVES!

[@chrish7336]

When I was helping Directly, I would take some of the worship songs (4+ pages long) and re-write them more to Hymn style. It help to keep the ego's down and still provided the songs the music department wanted.

[@cynthiamiller5653]

I agree

[@7777Lace]

Yes & even some of the song choices are NOT useful for Church participation, because some songs have TOO MANY LYRICS & all MOST of the Congregants can do is LISTEN to the song(s)!!!

[@chrish7336]

@@7777Lace I agree. Getting away from a hymn book does cause problems in Church Music, and reduces the number of people who would have otherwise worshiped in song.

[@brianruyack7632]

@@chrish7336 disagree. Christians often listen to Worship music during the work days on Spotify or Sirius or radio, and will sing along with those songs during Sunday service. Contemporary songs can elevate and inspire and let people get lifted in the sound and lights. I've been in worship concerts with tears running down my face, feeling the spirit move among me and my bandmates.

[@AnitaGraber]

As a singer, songwriter and composer I have been doing this for 58 years-and I have done it mostly as a soloist because I don’t want any part of an ego based competition and I’ve seen it too many times. But for the last decade, I have been blessed to be a part of a selfless God-centered group of musicians that serves a church humbly and worshipfully-and it always blesses me-we merely lead a congregation in worship-to God, be the glory

[@JoshuaAaron]

Wow. A powerful reminder to keep our eyes fixed on Him and reaching others.

[@lyndaslocs]

I work with a difficult population in the health field. There are days when I get annoyed or overwhelmed. Your testimony reminded me that I have to be careful about how I say things to people because it could be the last straw for them. Thanks!

[@7777Lace]

❤🙌🏽👏🏽Awesome

[@pandiario1]

Since I started playing for God’s glory that I have asked first to be anointed to minister. I have found through the years that some musicians were jealous and full of pride,which caused me grief. It is for His glory not ours. Just need to keep praying and to keep oneself pure and Holy. Thank you Lord for the Holy Spirit which humbles us,comforts us,gives us direction and purpose. Jesus is the Lord!

[@dmjung]

Thanks for sharing. I've been drumming Jesus Music / CCM / Worship since the 70s and have been blessed to not run into the ego crowd regularly during that time. My current drumming situation started in '98 and one of the things I've tried to instill in the teams over the years is that we are there to help people enter the presence of God, so we better not get in the way.

[@basicforge]

Except for our drummer who is a world class pro and a super humble guy, everyone else in our worship team is a talented amateur. A couple of our singers have musical training. We don't do our thing for other churches or tour, We always do our best to focus on the service and worship aspect of playing and singing.

[@dmjung]

@@basicforge I only did enough gigging way back then to know I didn't like it. :) Then I stopped playing for a few years because I realized I wasn't mature enough to be in a band and married at the same time. In some ways I think God honored that decision with this lovely static playing situation at my church when they decided to have a contemporary service. As you can imagine, our church's worship team has significantly changed over the last 25 years. For much of that time, we were loaded with professional-level players, and I was the weak link. Now I'm the "old guy" who gets to encourage our talented amateurs. Hopefully, I'm doing that right.

[@basicforge]

@@dmjung Interesting story. 🙂 I've been playing guitar since I was 10 years old, and I'm nearly 60 now. Until 15 years ago I was playing casually, mostly self taught. I never played in a band. I love the guitar but didn't have an excuse to play much, and so when a close friend at church told me they were going to start a music ministry I jumped at the chance. Now I am the only remaining founding member. A lot of wonderful people have come and gone from the group and a few have moved on to other congregations. One has gone to be with the Lord. Our group has a nice mix now, mostly talented amateurs and we finally managed to get some younger people involved. The future looks bright. Perhaps in a few years I will retired from my role, but I wouldn't mind continuing on. Who knows what God has in store?

[@nathangunter7532]

As a worship leader, you absolutely expressed truth with beautiful clarity! Good job my friend. N.

[@nathancaldwell2491]

Thank you for this man. That genuine honesty and you just sharing that story is everything

[@aaroncline6977]

Man! That story resonated. I'm not religious, that said, many facets of music save people. It touches them. I'm sure you were at Awww with at statement. Music had saved me and continues to save me. I've had fans come up and tell me that the show or the album saved them. I can't express how I felt, like you said. I just hug them and say that they have saved me too. The love thanks is given back. Great video!

[@werkzeugmann6224]

The problem is most large and mega churches are a performance, with the musicians looking to break into the Christian music scene, and develop their resume - wrong motives! I'm a bass and drummer, we never practice before Sunday, we show up 45 min early Sunday, listen to each other playing and then play it once, we hope the spirit of the time completes our worship... refreshing!

[@iamstan_rimp]

This is absolutely right! Ego…Jealousy. Not to mention professionals that tour on social media giving criticisms from a bad place and not out of love. This was definitely a good one Terence

[@firstnamelastname956]

There is such a thing as constructive criticism…

[@JediObiDave]

I never accepted payment for playing. Service and serving God was the payment. The fact that I got to honor and lead people into the presence of God each day was enough. There were times when I had to humble myself if I felt my pride or attitude was becoming off. This is God helping us to stay true to him. What you do matters and allows others to come to God and meet him at the right moment. He never leaves or forsakes us.

[@davepatterson4774]

This is good to hear. Thank you. I don't play music that's praise and worship oriented in the traditional sense for services. But, I do long to play with fellow Christians who have a heart for Christ and who want to reach those outside of the church. That said, you're right on the money. No place for ego, just for God's glory.

[@lancerigby3662]

I've been feeling discouraged as a church musician lately. Asking myself does what I do really matter and make a difference. I really needed to hear this and found it very encouraging. I never really cared much about the money and ego strokes. Thank you for keeping it real!

[@theTrend7]

The most valuable lesson my Organist taught me was to be humble. She is one of THE best organists to do it and she always portrayed that message. Being humble as a musician is the greatest lesson you could ever learn. Being able to play at service is a blessing and a privilege.

[@keithamyx1215]

Music is Service. I call TRUTH on That! 👍

[@mark0muzziker0]

Church music is not just any other music. It is worship. It is part of worship ministry, yes it is a service first for the Lord and for the people whom you lead to His presence. It is not about how good you are at playing the instrument, true worship flows from within the heart of the musician.

[@zombee38]

@@mark0muzziker0 Worship is not music(alone)....it is how you live your life for God.

[@c.waydebryant9776]

It is key for us as musicians to keep ourselves filled with the Spirit of the Living God (Jesus the Christ). You never know...as you have eloquently stated just how much of an impact the gift/talent God gave to us affects those that come across that moment or moments they hear us. Whenever we are made aware of these tender life altering moments, we must remember to CONTINUE to give God all the glory fr flr! Having a humble spirit will always have a much more positive impact on God's people. Keep holding it sir, love your content!

[@biblemadeeasypodcast]

What a very touching testimony of the woman saved and the profound influence of your music on her. Excellent points shared and very true.

[@normafloyd9192]

I was a member of a little church In West Texas where they used an organ and a piano. It was wonderful as far as the performance was concerned, but there was a problem. While they were excellent musicians, the two women would not speak to each other. I have no idea what their feud was about. I had played piano for church since I was a little girl. I always thought it was a privileged blessing to glorify God in my personal ministry. For the next 50 + years, as I accompanied our congregation, I played the words of the hymn rather than just the technical lines and spaces. I played from my heart. I now 89 years old and found a little church that sings hymns and has a sound Bible preacher. On occasion I play for the church and still rejoice that I can glorify the Lord by singing those words in my head and communicating the wonderful message of the words. Playing the piano is an expression of the emotion I feel as the congregation lifts voices to the Lord.

[@choicegospelnetwork]

HALLELUJAH..Thanks for your ANNOINTED Presentation. Amen and Praise God 🙏

[@cdstoc]

Wow! You received a rare gift, seeing that you and what you do matters and improves the world. I feel that humility is important for all parts of life, not just musically.

[@johnhaythorpe1063]

Something similar happened to me recently in Canberra (capital of Australia). I took up busking late last year with my friend as Arthritis robbed me of the ability to play guitar; and even though we had only been busking maybe 8 or 9 times, a gentleman in his 50s, came up to us after one of our songs and told us that our music had touched his heart and had turned him around (as he had intended to kill himself later that day); he told us that our music had moved him to tears and filled him with a realization that life truly was worth living. The experience humbled my friend and I as we came to realize the power of music to heal. Almost every time we play (at local shopping centers etc); someone will come up to us and share how our music has affected them in a positive way. We don't make much money busking; but to have our music and songs touch the hearts of those who pass by is more than enough reward I think.

[@EltonCarrMusic]

This is confirmation for me to keep striving to keep worship simple. Praise the Lord 😊

[@StephanieJPresley]

I really needed to hear this. I am just a solo artist. Just me and my guitar or soundtracks. I really am hard on myself striving for “perfection”. It causes great anxiety in me. One time I canceled out because of my anxiety. I sing at church and community events. I’ve always for the most part sang with some wonderful groups of people that were singing for the right reasons, and I have been blessed by their music. My favorite gospel event is coming up in June. Seems like satan gives me a reason every day to procrastinate practicing. My story is long. I do battle with some egos. Please do pray for me that I stop procrastinating! I know it is a sin that I need deliverance from. Thank you for this video!

[@blckrc]

This truly blessed me. Thank you, brother.

[@muyisabel1]

I don't even know if "God bless you!" faithfully conveys my prayer for you, brother. This is so needed on my side of the world (D.R. Congo).

[@sgttim8617]

Good Word! Thank You! For Helping me Keep the Most Important Thing, the Most Important Thing !

[@TheFtm22]

Lots of people need to hear this. It isn't just in church. It's everywhere. You might be playing in a bar and be placed there by God to meet someone's need.

[@7777Lace]

FAX!!!!

[@troybranch]

God bless you, brother. God bless you!!!

[@carlosmingeli]

What a story man! When you do anything as an act of Worship to God. God shows up, blesses you and others.

[@davidmyers9554]

Wow just wow! You have no idea how low i have become. You may have just saved someone else. Thank you that was very needed I’m gonna cling to it. The timing is unreal.Wow God bless you.

[@deedragriffie7983]

God knew 🤗❤️🎵✝️

[@Gabigalworld]

beautiful perspective. I think that applies for all things we do in life. Do it genuinely by heart unconditionally and you will succeed with everything in life.

[@dagb7271]

Thanks brother. Wonderful testimony. You’ve got a new subscriber from Sweden 🇸🇪. God bless you even more.

[@godfreymckay]

Terrence The Lord bless you sir. This spoke to my heart and I’m definitely subscribing for more content like this. I’m sharing too with my drummer and piano friends. This is so uplifting.

[@timothymeadows8326]

I had a Pastor tell me once that the number 1 problem reported with services around the world was with the praise and worship teams. The musicians and singers caused the most drama etc. His solution was to disband such and use a CD player. Good Grief.

[@kellyklingbeil5802]

As a 50 year musician, I know longer want any part of the whole worship machine idol and all it has become. I now attend a little church with just a piano and organ which are rarely played together. Such a breath of fresh air ... Simplicity, solitude, reflection.

[@patrickcannell2258]

I refuse to in my personal time to listen to any of the modern stuff. Stinks of the secular demonic music industry.

[@christosdc]

You are a truly amazing teacher. Thank you for your works!

[@seanmiles298]

Terrence! Wow! I’m just learning of ur page. I really appreciate you sharing this information. It really bless me. Thank you my brother.

[@glennbeckman7815]

God bless you Brother. I needed this, as I begin my worship drummer journey at my 5 campus Church. I just sat in my wooded prayer spot ,last night, and prayed for God to bless me as I serve the music that prepares hearts to be more open to hear God. I began training at 60 when I retired, and am now 63. My Church has a ton of talented musicians and can be clicky, but us flawed people can be like that. I always say just keep the focus on Jesus, and not on people, and that will take care of any flaws us humans can exhibit.

[@wesleymarkmusic403]

Beautiful testimony and beautiful lesson. Thank you.

[@brownmullins]

God bless you good Elder. We have to Honor God in everything and forget ourselves. God have mercy on our Christian churches for our failings. God help us all be ready for His coming.

[@1960jack]

Yes I as a former Praise and Worship musician back in the 80’s I can agree everything this man of God had to say!. I wasn’t having issues with the other musicians but with the Pastor. We didn’t see eye to eye on playing Gods Music for THE people at locations outside the comfy confines of a church. Jesus said he traveled the back roads the off roads places where nicely dressed church people Don’t go. Out of respect for the Pastors title I left and another woman who had this incredible voice we teamed up as a duo and went all over the place played Gods Music!. Was so much closer to connecting with Jesus and his soon to be saved people!.

[@1960jack]

By the way I did a lot of praying and talking to other church musicians and people from different churches before i left. Was given a lot of wisdom by more smarter more veteran Christians

[@williamsoltes1658]

Thank you so much for this video!!! I recently learned my own hard lesson of this. I write original music for Churches and I had written a song that I was SO proud of. I spent months on the recording process of just this one song. Fine tuning the reverb, the equalization, the panning etc... I took the recording to work to play for a co-worker in order to get her opinion (and honestly, I think that I was seeking her praise.) When she heard the song she began balling. I mean waterfalls of tears. She explained to me she was having a hard times in life, and that she really needed to hear that song. I realized that day that all my practice with piano, time spent engineering and recording, meant literally nothing to her. It turns out it was actually God using me as his tool to deliver a message to her that she needed at that exact time. It humbled me deeply, and today I am grateful that I was able to play my "SMALL" part in God's greater plan.

[@joshuatajoo2467]

I've been a guitarist since 9 yrs old in Church. Was saved at a tender age but fell away from God for a short t8me. Returned to Him because the world has nothing to offer, especially it's music. I've always played volontarily at church and always experience the presence and glory of the Lord. Never seen myself above anyone else, humility as a church musician is a must, for the hand of God to move in your ministry, it is Christlikeness. I'm 42 now and still play, but always do it as I'm glorifying the Lord. Musicians were placed at the front of the battle at Jericho, as a musician you are at the tip of the battle, live Holy lives pleasing unto God, and everything else will follow...

[@AaronDahl]

Well said! Great reminder! Appreciate your insight and wisdom!

[@JODYCARROLL]

Great message to ALL musicians! Thanks

[@markjohnson9485]

Good word brother, thank you for sharing. You are right. I live by this creedo. Keep humility in Your Heart play your best in all situations. Learn to be of service to others.

[@paulmuah3675]

Truer words have never been spoken. May God continue to pour His anointing on your ministry.

[@heartstringssound-Doug]

Excellent words! Thanks. It's not just musicians but also worship directors and their department. I went to audition to be a Bassist and the directors assistant talked with a cold shoulder to me. First he was like how come you use a pick? I told him I prefer it but can do with or without and he was like, well I just don't think there's a place for you here. I had told the worship leader that the Holy Spirit told me to let him know that I was there to serve and to help him. Then I auditioned playing acoustic guitar for rhythm and while I played with the band the other members were digging my playing smiling and all, and this same director started asking me can't you do this or that and I said sure. I was playing proper for the style of the song and along with the team. He just told me, I just don't believe we can use you. As I walked out, the other guitar player encouraged me by saying, hey I don't know what that guy's problem is, but you're playing was great. Don't get discouraged. Well I was and it totally turned me off of that leader and group director because they worked together and this was unacceptable behavior for leaders to treat someone attempting to do their part in service with their gifting. Their egos were absolutely hurting them and it's interesting that neither of those guys are there any more.

[@nadineerickson-lo3gx]

Absolutely beautiful. Im so glad that she shared her her soul with you. Im so glad your music and performance enlighten her.

[@steveleisner6029]

Thank you for sharing this and please keep up the good work. This scenario happened to me twice. Me and a couple of my friends used to do prison ministry and did it for years. I would be out and about somewhere and I would notice a guy looking at me. And he would look at me again. And again. And then he would approach me and I am wondering what is going on when he would ask me: "you play music, right?" And I said "yes, I do." Then he would say: "I remember you, you played for me when I was in prison." I have to admit that I did'nt say much, because I was at a loss for words.

[@8T8Keez]

Brother - thank you so much! I needed to hear this!

[@Lemonstreetsmusic]

Well said - very well said. I've been playing and singing in UK churches for over 50 years and have seen the power that music - rhythm - meaningful lyrics can have on people at a deep level. It's humbling and rewarding and gratifying and reminds you that our job is to serve the congregation - ie the people - on their journey through life

[@ManuelDRodriguez]

Praise the Lord! Thank You for sharing God is faithful! ⚔️🎹⚔️🎺

[@mr.lamont1420]

I've always said this. Thank you so much for this.

[@msorymusicalsounds]

As much as I understand one supposed to have the spirit of excellence, you are right that music is service. It's important for us as musicians who are filled with the Holy Ghost, anointed and continuously honing the gift that God has given us, not allow pride to set into our hearts. If David operated with a spirit of pride like Saul did, he wouldn't have able to play out that evil spirit out of Saul. I believe in practice, practice, practice on your instrument; but I also believe in musicians spend time with God in praying, fasting, giving, ministering and reading the word of God. It is through these disciplines are we able to deny our flesh. The problem is most of us are not living for God; but only living for the check. Testimonies about that lady you shared tells us that the sounds that's coming out of our instrument must be pure and not tainted. This is a lesson for me as well. Let's be a minstrel and not a hireling and do it professionally by having values, class, integrity, honor, respect and love for another.

[@doubletakewithwindy9012]

The singers,directors,Ministers of Music who DON'T play need to hear it too...SERVICE!!!!!

[@dagrev6645]

Thanks for the good word about ego, etc. Fortunately I have not run into this as a bass player for many years. What is important at our church is character and servanthood being as important as musical skill. Everyone on the platform (not stage) is a servant in other areas first because we see all of them as worship leaders and to do that you need more than just great chops.

[@Lumios_UA]

Amen, brother! Thank you for sharing this!

[@lost6872]

I loved hearing this bro. I always try to remind myself to stay humble and to remember that I am using a gift that God gave me to bring His Spirit into the Church. It's not in the service of me, but in the service of Him. I appreciate having another person reminding me to stay humble and remember that what I do up there matters.

[@marcopaolovaleriovezzoli5776]

This is so eyes opening. Thanks so much for this message.

[@jmachatch6696]

Wonderful message about our purpose!!! 100% agree on how we should play and behave. Where I don’t agree is, I can be that in the pocket guy. People like playing with me, but those calls don’t come. I still believe, though I try to do those things you mentioned as a player, and be there to worship, the others are flashy and looking only for other flashy people.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Great video. So glad I’ve found an egoless church. I know exactly what you’re talking about because I’ve been in those situations. It took years for me to find the right church with the right group of musicians who are playing for the right reason, worshiping the Lord.

[@PoghosTK]

So good! Thank you for sharing this, it is inspiring. Indeed, music IS service!

[@Bassic778]

You are so on point!!!! Music is service!!! Having an ego is also a vision problem. You can't see beyond yourself.

[@luisgpr1]

Oh, man. I couldn't agree more with you. That experience must have been something else. Being catholic, in Mexico, Sunday church gigs are basically never paid, and it's something one usually gifts to the community. As a part of a group, alone or with my wife I've been at it for 25 years. When I was way younger, some 30 years ago, I sang with the classical choir in my college graduation mass, and my grandma, who lived in another city, heard me sing for the first time that day. She had a hard life, became a young widow with six kids, and had been very bitter for decades about everything. Since it was my graduation, I was very emotional and the Panis Angelicus I sang that day came out beautifully After hearing that, my grandma was reduced to tears, and it's like all her life memories came back to her and began to feel thankful for life. She really changed her ways that day. It is clear to me that music can be a very powerful spiritual and emotional catalyst, and one as a performer needs to understand that the music we are interpreting is the gift itself, it's not for us to show off or brag about, it's the returning of a gift that was given to us as capable musicians, that we are then able to channel this to other people for their own benefit. I do wish musicians were treated a bit better in our country, as I don't see music as an extra but as an integral part of religious ceremony, yet one that is too often treated as an afterthought.

[@chefbanjo8139]

Good word, brother. Really gives something tangible to some fairly esoteric ideas we’ve all heard before.

[@christianloveyt]

Beautiful video, very well spoken. Thank you.

[@RobertCulpeper]

Excellent message and powerful testimony. Thank you, brother, you've gained a new subscriber.

[@simontawall1857]

Awesome Video. Thank you so much for sharing. It moved something in me. God bless you brother 🙏

[@simoneade1973]

Good message brother. I’m a Christian and previously been playing in a church music team for about 25 years. I agree that we don’t play for self honor, but to give in service to God. I’ve learnt much over the years - it’s all about our hearts at the end of the day, why are we doing it, simple - to give in service to God. If we’re doing it to promote ourselves we shouldn’t be on the stage. It’s a ministry that everyone sees, and I’ve learnt also in how we play can affect the Holy Spirit moving in a service, so if we’re sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the musicians around us, we’re going to compliment everything around us. If what we do means one person gives their lives to Christ, then praise God, we’re part of that too.

[@davidotts7217]

Amen, brother. Music is a ministry when we, musicians and singers, perform for Hime rather than us. Thank you for this video and the Music is Service message ; I really needed this. Bless you and play on.

[@colorfulfamily]

You said it! You said it all.

[@raymondcollins4665]

This so cool and so TRUE! I’ve been playing in church for almost 40 years. I never look as it like a job, but my praise and thanks to God for the blessings and talents he gave me. It’s all for him anyway. Love the post my brother and God bless you 👊🏾

[@stoogie37]

Oh wow! I just had this conversation with my nephew today. This is ministry, not perfection: God gives you perfection. So move yourself out the way.

[@divinelytaylored]

Oh my! Thanks for sharing. Her testimony goes to show the difference between a minstrel and a musician. By this story, you're definitely a minstrel, and we need more minstrels.

[@davidsuniverse108]

Wow. Beautiful and powerful story..as a musician myself I have always tried to remain humble. It just is a reminder for us to remember that our actions have consequences. Some we can see but others we never see. Great story and good reminder for us just be good human beings.

[@hazelwoodgarage]

The thing I learned about playing in church is, you learn a lot more with your mouth closed and have less problems with your mouth closed, (except for singing )

[@tommylopez4704]

Amen, I so agree. I also agree with Gentlerailings, that would be my preference, quiet worship music, not loud ego-centric "me centered" music.

[@annmcnitt8749]

I appreciate your wise words here. For several years, I served occasionally as a substitute singer on our church's worship team, and many people encouraged me to be on the team weekly. Sadly, a person who was the chosen to do administration for the team took a fervent dislike to me. (Long silly story.)After one service when I had been asked to substitute for an absent friend, the administrator came up to me and sharply and angrily demanded, "Why are you singing today?!" I explained that I had been asked to do so. She responded, "We don't have substitutes!" I just stood there in shock. We tried to work it out in a meeting with the pastor, and she admitted that she hadn't been truthful, but wasn't apologetic and kept her position. Of course we have substitutes, but she had her vendetta against me. I never went back to sub again. God isn't served by egos, and as Christians, we need to do better. People are watching to see how we are doing at loving each other.

[@bonzeroo]

Amen! Thanks ever so much for your valuable insights! ❤

[@mikejames-drummerreginacan1386]

This story was uplifting.....Thanks Terence

[@danielatherton4969]

Music is our ministry as musicians... EGO destroys ALOT!!!! Great word of encouragement brother!!!

[@blainekelley816]

Amen. Pride is opposed to God's heart ... and a fall is going to result. Thanks for sharing this powerful testimony and reminder of why we serve on the worship team and walk in all life situations.