RKS Upclose

[Felicity]

There are devils everywhere. Behind pulpits. In the prayer rooms. Leading worship. Chairing boards and committees. Teaching SS.

*sigh*

[rkentsmith]

Originally Posted by NW Pastor

I have seen spoiled and moody children who throw tantrums and fits whenever it pleases them. They are an embarrassment to all who know them and bring reproach to an otherwise stellar family name. Who is at fault?

Why, its the parents, of course. The allow the behaviour. They don't have what it takes to discipline their little darling with the proper proportion of firmness and love.

Music Devils, when they exist, are nurtured in an environment of permissiveness by spiritual leadership. The fact is, preachers have become dependent upon talented musicians to do the "heavy lifting" for them during services. The music devils usually reside in churches that promote first and disciple later.

Maybe we should not exalt those not spiritually ready to handle the pressure cooker life of a "local celebrity"? We would not do that for preachers.

The sooner pastors promote committed christians who are gifted to positions of ministry instead of promoting the gifted who profess christianity, the quicker the music devils will be cast out of the church.

The buck stops with the pastor.

Bingo my brother....

Weak pastors have fostered and enabled the behavior....

There are way too many weak preachers out there.......

[TRFrance]

Originally Posted by NW Pastor

That was not my take. We see many of these things in "the ministry" also and even worse, but we don't see too many articles on "Preacher Devils".

Regardless... the article was not about musicians in general, but a certain kind of musician (one who is unsubmitted and unconsecrated) that we all know exists in most of our churches.

Yes, one could also come up with a similar article on that "certain kind" of evangelist, Sunday School teacher, etc. but that was not what this article was about. This particular article dealt with that phenomenon among musicians. Plain and simple. (So is the writer now obligated to write similar articles on preacher devils, youth department devils, Sunday School devils, etc, just to "even things out" so no one is offended? Of course not.)

Its interesting to me that some of the same folks who, too often, don't show that much delicacy when it comes to trampling on other people's sensibilities on this forum, are now up-in-arms and highly offended about a simple article which was not bashing church musicians as a whole.

Selective indignation is what I'd call that.

[NW Pastor]

Originally Posted by rkentsmith

Bingo my brother....

Weak pastors have fostered and enabled the behavior....

There are way too many weak preachers out there.......

In my experience, this is not a "liberal" or "conservative" issue. Many very conservative churches have a very high level of tolerance for abberant behavior from front line musicians and singers, while many moderate or liberal churches demand a much more uniform level of conformity with the congregation. And vice-versa.

It is indeed a pastoral issue.

I would like to add, however, that among us labor men and women of excellent spirit who minister to us with music each week. I was mentored by one such, and will forever by grateful to him for his godly example of daily sacrifice and devotion to both his God and his music ministry.

There remains greatness among us. We should celebrate it!

[rkentsmith]

Good and faithful are to be applauded....

Bad behaviour should never be rewarded....

Blessings

[TRFrance]

Originally Posted by Kutless

I guess you would have reacted similarly to an thread concerning the ministry devil? Just asking.

In a nutshell , yes I would.

If the article was referring to all ministers, I would take an issue with it, but if it dealt with behavior among certain ministers, I would not have an issue with it.

... just the same way I don't have an issue with this article, since it was not dealing with all musicians, but with real issues concerning "certain kinds" of musicians.

As someone who has spent several years involved in praise/music ministry, I find there is a core of truth in what the article says, and thus I am not offended by it. Neither would I have an issue with a similar article concerning preaching ministry, Sunday School ministry, youth ministry, with which I have also been involved, as long as the article dealt with "real" issues, and was limited in scope and not painting all involved in such ministries with a broad brush.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by NW Pastor

In my experience, this is not a "liberal" or "conservative" issue. Many very conservative churches have a very high level of tolerance for abberant behavior from front line musicians and singers, while many moderate or liberal churches demand a much more uniform level of conformity with the congregation. And vice-versa.

It is indeed a pastoral issue.

I would like to add, however, that among us labor men and women of excellent spirit who minister to us with music each week. I was mentored by one such, and will forever by grateful to him for his godly example of daily sacrifice and devotion to both his God and his music ministry.

There remains greatness among us. We should celebrate it!

Great post!

[BrotherEastman]

After reading the blog, I can see why the writer submitted this. I have seen and even been guilty of this behavior. I have also seen some very close loved ones who have had the "proverbial" music devil. I can see why some folks have taken this personally, but I have noticed this behavior from me. (yeah, brother eastman hasn't been perfect, so shoot me) This thread brought back memories of how I used to be, so I understand those of you who are sensative about it as well. I personally have found alot of truth to the blog.

[rkentsmith]

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

After reading the blog, I can see why the writer submitted this. I have seen and even been guilty of this behavior. I have also seen some very close loved ones who have had the "proverbial" music devil. I can see why some folks have taken this personally, but I have noticed this behavior from me. (yeah, brother eastman hasn't been perfect, so shoot me) This thread brought back memories of how I used to be, so I understand those of you who are sensative about it as well. I personally have found alot of truth to the blog.

Thank God For The Blood

Page 369!!!

[MissBrattified]

*sigh* Maybe I'm just tired of musicians being picked on in this area. Of course there are carnal people who are in leadership, ministerial or music, either one.