Music ministers move around. Very few stay in the same church for their entire career, and many move multiple times in their lives. When a music or worship minister is called to a new church, the old church has to find a new one. And that’s when the waiting begins.
Every church is unique and has their own style of worship. And every church has multiple members with multiple ideas for what kind of music is best. And then there’s God’s idea for what kind of music and worship ministry that church should have. All these ideas don’t always (or should I say ‘ever’) agree. So it takes a while to find a new music minister. Sometimes a church will be impatient and hire someone who is not a good fit, and is not God’s choice. That doesn’t usually work out too well. I couldn’t resist including this verse, seeing as it is addressed to the head musician:
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 40:1
The Israelites had this problem with kings. They picked Saul first, and he didn’t turn out the best. Then the prophet Samuel was sent to a certain family to annoint the next king. But this family had many sons. Samuel had to go through meeting all the older brothers, none of whom God had chosen, and then he had to wait while the youngest son was called in from the fields. Finally, he met the future king of Israel – young David.
So don’t give up just to save yourself time, whether searching for a music minister, or searching for the right spouse, or the right job, or the right school. Be patient, and wait for God to reveal the right choice.
Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
1 Samuel 16:10-12