We had a good chapel service today. The guest speaker gave a creative, solid message on “being different” like John the Baptist. But what really made my heart glad was the worship team.
A couple of months ago one of our students (the one leading worship today) came and asked if he could lead worship in chapel this semester. I keep a pretty tight reign on who is allowed to lead worship; the worship leader must have a proven track record of following through on commitments and be able to lead in that role. I was a little hesitant at first because he had never led chapel worship, but after talking with him and hearing him sing and play guitar I decided to give him a shot and pair him with another more experienced worship leader.
Today, the worship songs were well-chosen, the attitudes and atmosphere were worshipful, and the musicians were well-rehearsed. There were a couple of minor mistakes here and there, but for a student’s first time leading worship in front of his peers and professors, it was a job very well done. (As a matter of fact, I can think of a couple of mistakes I made leading chapel worship just a couple of weeks ago…) The point is not perfection, it’s development and learning. And what we’re all about as a school is helping students find, use and hone their gifts for ministry.
On top of that, I was really proud of our tech team today. I love going back to the tech area and seeing that I’m not really needed because they have the media, sound, lights and recording under control.
It just made my day to see students using and developing their gifts for leadership and ministry. It reminds me of why I do this in the first place…
Last night before I left I stopped into the learning center and found one of the seniors working with one of the freshmen, and I was reminded of how the senior was when he first started, and how very much he has matured. I left, rejoicing, knowing the young one was in very good hands. Once in a while something happens to make all the effort worthwhile.
Yes, it’s funny how one or two things like that can keep you going for quite a while.