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June 2002 Table of Contents
Production Results
"Finding Those Hidden Jewels"
By Keith McClung
Minister of Music & Fine Arts
19th St. Church of God, Parkersburg, WV
With the Holiday Season on our heels and plans for Christmas being unveiled to our choirs and orchestras, we can't help but feel some of the stress setting in. My prayer is that this article will help you discover that you can't do your job alone and best of all...God doesn't expect you to carry the load by yourself!
This past February I attended a Music Conference in Cleveland, TN and while walking through the halls I recognized a familiar face. It was there, that I stood for awhile, and told this gentleman how much his sister meant to me as a Shepherd in Music Ministry. As a college student, I interned at Central Church of God in Charlotte, North Carolina. This mega church opened my eyes as to what
could, and can be done, with music and drama. My mentor, Terry Ogle, showed me what it meant to be a Music Pastor and a Visionary.
To this day I send Terry updates on the ministry that I currently oversee. Why do I say all of this? The church held an attendance of over 3,000 people. One Sunday I read of where they needed some help in presenting their annual Easter Drama. The
Blue Pew Response Card called my name and I signed up for whatever I could do. The following day I received a telephone call, to meet with Terry, and that's where my creativity began to blossom. Terry took the time to meet with a 19 year old college student and she plugged me in to ministry. She took a chance on my talents.
There are times that we, as Ministers of Music, overlook the hidden jewels that sit in our congregation. This past Easter season reminded me that the small girls who used to be on stage as children running to greet Jesus, (just a few years ago) were now
Seniors in High School on their Varsity Cheerleading Teams. After "taking a chance" and passing their names onto our choreographer....What wonderful dancers they became this past Easter during our Marketplace scenes.
Sometimes we just need to open the box to see what's inside a person's hidden talents. We often limit our ministry to what WE envision to happen. We become used to using the same talented people year after year. Why? Because we can count on them and we know they will carry out the vision to our expectations. I have learned over the years to develop musical drama tailored around the talents of those who I work with, but more importantly, the message of Jesus Christ in every effort. This past Easter, especially,
I learned that I have depended on the same people so much that they were becoming burnt out, while at the same time I found myself alienating people who had a desire to become "leaders" in ministry.
Just today I cleaned off my desk and found the "Church Music USA" conference brochure from J&J and it inspired me to invite some of my production team to attend the conference in Gatlinburg. Are these people super-talented? No. Are they all immediate visionaries? No. Then again, nor was I in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1990. Someone saw a twinkle in my hidden talents and they provided me with the avenue to expand my horizons.
As you plan for the upcoming Christmas Season think outside your box. Look at the teenager who has a talent for art and use that young mind. Look at that Senior Citizen who once had a gift of sewing costumes. Invite her back, into the fold, to sew even one costume.
Just a few weeks ago I ventured into my grandmother's attic. The walls and shelves are littered with remnants from the past. I coughed at the rising dust and squinted to even see what was hidden among the treasures. A book caught my eye and I dusted the
cover as I sat on the antique bed belonging to my great grandmother. I opened the book, and to my surprise, a white napkin fell out. It happened to be a napkin from my parent's wedding 38 years ago; pristine and perfect with their names and wedding date stamped in silver; it was a treasure to me. I had to take the time to go to the attic and I had to take the risk of getting dirty to find the hidden treasure, but the reward was great.
It's worth OUR time to get tired and dusty to find the hidden jewels in our congregations. There will be times that we feel like we are starting from scratch in discipling new leaders...but that's what we are called to do! Times will arise when we feel like we are talking to a brick wall when faced with a 16 year old teenager and how we want that special prop painted. We
may constantly be reminded of what the church "used to do" when we ask a Senior to help sew that extra costume. It's all worth it.
Part of our responsibility, as Ministers of Music, is to develop the flock that will move our church forward.
So, this Sunday, scan over the congregation and hallways and look for that sparkle or twinkle in someone's eye....it may be your next hidden treasure. Dust 'em off, Shine 'em up and put their talents on display for the Glory of God. (P.S. Thanks Terry Ogle for giving a college kid a chance!)
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