What’s your job description?

As worship leaders, I like to think of yours and my role as primarily prophetic, not aesthetic.  If corporate worship can be viewed as entering the temple of God, the place of His dwelling, then our role is more akin to the pillars or columns supporting the structure, not the artifacts which merely provide artistic beauty.  Personally, I’d rather be a support beam than a statue or a stained glass window any day. 

And as support beams, what is it, exactly, that we are to hold up?  Three things come quickly to mind: the name of Jesus (Philippians 2:10, 11), the truth of His word (2 Timothy 2:15), the prophet’s arms (Exodus 17:10-13).  In these specific ways, we lead others into the praise of Jesus, the proclamation of His word through song, and receiving the seed sown by our preaching pastors. The writer to the Hebrews gives instruction to public gatherings with these words from chapter 10: 

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

This Sunday’s anthem speaks to one of the foundational roles this ministry can have in our corporate worship life—declaring truth, and more specifically—illustrating God. Who is it that we worship? What’s He like?  Is He worth worshiping?  Beginning with the first verse, we assert that He is unlike any other god. He has no equal; He has no rival. Our God is three in One—a community, whose very being calls us into shared lives entwined with specific function and distinct purposes. Before you declare these truths this week, be sure and live with the text yourself. Believe and receive the life contained in these verses.  For example, aren’t you glad that the One who is your judge is also your defender?  How amazing is that?!

Then come Sunday ready to sing the words of this anthem into the very souls of our people, proclaiming with conviction the truth of God’s word.  And all the while, remember you are pointing them to Jesus—that is the work of the Holy Spirit in you, friends.  That’s what He does. In John 15:26, Jesus says, "I will send you the Advocate--the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.” So preach it, choir!

Our Father everlasting, The all creating One—God Almighty

Through Your Holy Spirit conceiving Christ the Son--Jesus our Saviour.

I believe in God our Father, I believe in Christ the Son, I believe in the Holy Spirit—Our God is three in one.

I believe in the resurrection, that we will rise again, for I believe in the Name of Jesus.

Our Judge and our Defender, suffered and crucified—forgiveness is in You

Descended into darkness, You rose in glorious life; forever seated high!  I believe in God the Father…

I believe in You; I believe You rose again. I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord.  I believe in God the Father…

I believe in life eternal, I believe in the virgin birth,

I believe in the saints' communion, and in Your holy Church

I believe in the resurrection when Jesus comes again,

 for I believe in the Name of Jesus.

By doing our “job” well, we also help till the soil of the peoples’ hearts, helping to ready them, prepare them to receive the sown Word of our preaching pastors. In so doing, we are “lifting up the prophets’ arms” and aiding them in displaying the wonder and power of God.

Do you know your job description?  Do you comprehend the high calling to which you have been called?  I, for one, can’t wait to join you in fulfilling our role this weekend.

tad