God bless you all. I have something I would like to share that is a great cause for concern.
I am a minister of music, and I mean that in a very real way, not by church title but I am gifted of God to minister in music in His ability He has graced me with.
I have been for the last two years on assignment at a local body of believers, with the burden to administer the true worship which is "in spirit and in truth". We (they are two of us on this assignment)have constantly been in battle for this presidence to be set.
It has been tough when coming against so many different mindsets but we have seen God move in a mighty way.
The latest problem that has been posed though has caused me great concern. We have labored and toiled for a while, really understanding the need and laboring as such, in prayer, in worship, in spiritual warfare, but one of the pastors (there are two) decides that we must "move forward" in the area of music. Ok fine. He brings a new singer to sing with the praise team. He sings very well, but we immediately see he is operating out of a spirit of entertainment. As a musician and a seeker of truth, this is vexing, but the people love it. But those that are really in tune know that there is a problem, but...
He has an extensive conversation with the paster and now Mr Entertainment is over the whole music department. Just like that...He comes in first rehearsal, says a ten second prayer and now wants to institude professionalism and other stuff, but what makes a worship team is..err...worship, right? Reverance for God..haven't seen it yet. We voice our concerns to the pastor with truth, in love, with hard evidence, but to no avail...he's sticking to it. Next Sunday... the people love it, but we all know this is wrong. I know this is long but God bless if you choose to hear this to the end.
Now, here is the thing. As a minister of music (not be church title, but under God)I play the instrument (keyboard, piano) as unto the Lord. God manifests often. People have taken that and have sought to ride the anointing for their own purposes. I am not going to be a vehicle again to make another agenga other than God's shine. Do anybody feel me on this? A leader has sold out because of what he sees and the people, but now there is a compromise in what worship is, which is all I want to do. Is my playing now compromised if I follow this folly? Is it time to resign?
I must that it's not about who is in position, nor do I feel "shafted", but my zeal is for the house of God. and resigning, not as in from a paying position, I didn't accept a salary, so that there would be any chance of any "control" or "I pay you, so I should expect..." type of business. Anyway, any thoughts?

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Percell Kizer, Jr.

Hi brother, God bless you!
Here you can find some good thoughts about entertainmnent in the church from A.W.Tozer - [url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=2825&forum=23&55]A.W.Tozer on entertainment[/url]

Thank-you,
I hope it doesn't sound like I'm griping or complaining, but for some reason this thing is ever increasing, but I know there are those who still hunger for true worship, God bless.

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Percell Kizer, Jr.

well Tears_of_joy, I'm encouraged. Thanks for taking the time.

We have, however, been commisioned by God to move like the ark, and Friday we are hosting a praise and worship service. We will not be limited to time, and agendas, but are preparing our hearts, yielding ourselves to whatever God wants. This is our first in a couple of years, but there is a greater understanding of God's heart. We want the blinded eyes to be opened and the captives to be set free. THIS is what I live for, but as far as what is happening otherwise, I know God will make His will clear, whether I must shake the dust off, or fight a little longer...God is sovereign, and still in control.
God bless again and may he bless you and your ministry above and beyond your expectations, according to His divine power that is at work in you. ;-) amen.

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Percell Kizer, Jr.

Our conscience, where our convictions lie, is an extention of our spirit. Don't quench yours by going along to get along..



:-(rm

I would encourage you to press into Jesus in your prayer closet and wait until you get direction on what to do. He is faithful to provide an answer.

My wife is a very gifted musician and I understand the "entertainment" angle. It grieves the Spirit and makes the worship shallow.

I pray that your praise will be used by the Spirit to convict hearts and wake-up those who are sleeping and call the unsaved to the cross. Blessings to you.

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Ed Pugh

I admit at first I thought this post was...well, I just kind of didn't know what to expect, but I have been blessed by the posts, and am settling back into what I know works, and like you say, it is in the prayer closet. We all meet at "rehearsal" tonight, and I'm not sure what will take place, but I do know where I am called, and your prayer, that commission, is what I will hold unto.
God bless.

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Percell Kizer, Jr.

Hi NONE4ME,

There was an incident in the book of Acts were some of the brethren were ministering for the Lord and experienced some difficulty with the authorities and were arrested. Eventually they were released upon the wise words of one of the arresting officers. "If this is from God you will not be able to stop it" They were beaten and sent home, but after a little prayer they went back out and continue speaking boldly in the name of Jesus. (sorry, I did not have time to look it up in the Word, it is sleep time, but I wanted to share this with you.)

Do no be afraid, what can man do, if God is with you. Peace my friend, the advice to prayer and armour is good, I too have been in Christian ministry for some years and will remember you as God prompts me in prayer.

In the Lamb,
Aeryck

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Eric John Sawyer

Brohter, have you heard one of these messages:

[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=4224]The Power of Prayer (video)[/url] by Keith Daniel
[b]Description:[/b] This is a powerful video preached at brother Bill Gothard's church. This is part of Keith Daniel's 13th visit to America and he gives a solemn warning to the Church of Jesus Christ we must pray before its too late. There is a digression in the sermon on the topic of music but its application finds itself in that the church should not use wordly methods to win the world it will not work! The main thrust of the sermon is preached from ephesians 6 and the emphasis is that the church needs to get into warfare on their knees.

[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=1865]Finished with the World[/url] by Keith Daniel
[b]Description:[/b] There is something very potent and powerful about this message. Its one of Keith Daniels first visits to America and this message calls for a great consecration and call back to apostolic Chrisitanity in our daily practice. Are you finished with the world? Don't listen to this message unless you are willing to be impacted and changed in very powerul way.

I believe they will be great encouragement to you. In both of them brother Keith is mentioning about music and he gives good examples. Life changing sermons.

Kire