1Chronicles 25:1  Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

1Chronicles 25:2  Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.
 
    When King David established the temple worship in Second Chronicles 25, there is an oft overlooked principle.  They prophesied under the order of the King.  In the context of the modern local church this is the senior pastor.  It is simple and safe to make this assertion that the five fold ministry,(Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists, and Teachers) are placed in leadership for a reason. That reason is safety and order.

    Prophesy is a powerful tool that should be defined, understood, and utilized in the church.  Due to fear and or a lack of knowledge, prophesy has been removed from most worship services.  Many pray for restoration of Davidic worship but outside of the structure that scripture defines.  I am convinced the two are inseparable.  If we want the manifestation recorded in 2 Chronicles 5:12-14, we must follow the biblical template.

    Pastors: I strongly encourage you to be very cautious in selecting your worship staff.  A pretty voice, charisma, and cool arrangements are not the central elements of worship.  High notes impress people, but not God.  God is moved by faith.  Faith is demonstrated in obedience.  Therefore, Sensitivity and obedience to the leading of the Holy Ghost will be far more advantageous than a cool hair and trendy clothes.  If you cannot trust your worship leader to carry your heart and vision, replace them immediately.  Worship is too important to the ministry that God will hold you accountable for to entrust to individuals you cannot trust to follow your lead.

    Worshippers:    It is not restricting to serve under the vision of your local church.  Refuse to allow pride to pull you out of your destiny.  There are individuals called to be the next superstar, but God get little to no glory from that.  Force yourself to pursue God and His heart and neglect selfish ambition.  After all, ministry is serving.  You are needed not to make pretty sounds.  Never see yourself as the warm up act for ministry.  Worship is ministry.  Prophesy.

    Note that I didnt specify singers.  Custodians, ushers, sound people, and nursery workers play a huge part in the worship experience.  I am sure your pastor, as mine does often. recognizes and appreciates your sacrifice and significance.  Whether prophesying through a new song or speaking words of life over a new born, you are propelling the kingdom of God forward.  I thank you.

    In conclusion, support your pastor and the vision of your local church.  Open your gift and ministry up to the powerful leading of the Holy Ghost.  See powerful manifestations of God.  God gave us a blueprint, let's follow it.

    For years, I've been told what can and cannot happen in church music.  Not by my Pastor, Walter Hallam, but by those refusing to embrace the "now" move of God. My whole life I've been troubled to hear how this ethereal menace called The World was stealing the church's best and brightest.  This is untrue.  God has given us a generation full of holy, talented, integrous,gifted, and anointed young people.  Will we make excuses or help them hone their crafts?  I believe we are called, destined, and compelled to teach, train, encourage, mentor, discipline, and love a generation in an unending renaissance of the arts in the Kingdom of God.
    I recently released my first solo CD I'll Serve You.  Though I am very pleased with how it turned out musically, my greater joy is unrelated to units sold.  Several young people's eyes were opened to the deception of a musical generation gap.  It is not, nor has it ever been, our music verses there music.  There is just music.
    Young rappers and worship leaders seeking a higher level of musical understanding.  Singers crying out to learn to breathe properly.  Budding producers demanding historical context to the great albums of generations past.  I feel like Simeon after spending time when these amazingly zealous musicians.  They carry Jesus.
    I've seen the move of God in their eyes and they see it in mine.  Hymns to Hip-Hip.  Rock to R&B.  Classical to Controlled Chaos.  God is bringing all His children into the camp.  We must receive our diverse brothers and sisters with open arms.  Chances are their expression is key to us having a fuller understanding of what God is seeking from our worship.
    With the guidance of my Pastor, and the assistance of our incredible team, we will play our part in equipping and empowering a generation to touch God through the arts.  To have this spread I need friends, allies, and partners to explore the topic of arts in the church.  For example, does it bother anyone else that the blues section on iTunes is integrated but Christian music is still segregated?
    The master's degree program in music at Eastern Washington University forced me to examine the ins and outs of music theory, history, performance and cultural impact.  Let's remove the blinders of complacency and pursue excellence in arts.  This will require honest, but respectful discourse concerning how we minister as dancers, painters, writers, sculptors, singers, instrumentalists, sound personnel, lighting designers, graphic artist and makers of peanut brittle and popcorn balls.
    Theory and practical application of our crafts is a need I hear from Christian artist from coast to coast and churches of 15 people to 30,000.  We can sharpen each other and develop a community of diverse artist with a single goal.  Exalting our Savior with excellence.
    If this is a worthy venture, leave comments, sign for the RSS feed and pursue this journey with me.