This is an exciting week for me as I begin my new position as Director of Worship and Arts at Truro Anglican Church in Fairfax, Virginia. This past Sunday I had the opportunity to sit in all of the services and attend with my family, before coming into the office yesterday. I have a great sense of excitement about what God is going to do, and I’m thrilled to be called here to be a part of it.
I told a friend that my plan is to “hit the ground jogging” as much as I can for a while. I don’t have a huge agenda that I’m enacting from day one. I don’t have a long list of changes I’m going to pursue right away. I’m very much coming in and seeking to keep things as smooth as possible, while asking a lot of questions, listening to a lot of different voices, and asking God to begin to give me a vision of how I can be most effective here.
Those of us in ministry, whether it’s full-time, part-time, flex-time, or volunteer, are just stewards of God’s ministry. He uses us for a time, and then he moves us on and uses someone else. We don’t build dynasties – God builds His Church. And whether we’re beginning again in a new church, or looking ahead to yet another program year in the same church with the same people and the same challenges, God is always up to something. He is always working in ways we can’t see. He will share His agenda with you if you listen long enough.
I’d appreciate your prayers as I discern God’s agenda for me and the worship ministry at Truro. And if there’s anything I can do to help/support you in your own setting, please always feel free to get in touch with me.
Here’s what I wrote to my new congregation last Sunday.
Over the last several years, as Catherine and I were sensing that God was preparing us for a new call, we have been open for whatever he would call us to, wherever it would be. We’re delighted that God has called us to Truro, thrilled to be a part of this community, and thankful for your warm welcome.
When I dream of what the years ahead might hold at Truro as I step into the role of Director of Worship and Arts, several things come to mind:
Musical vibrancy. God deserves it all, so let’s keep offering it all as well as we can.
Christ-centeredness. Jesus is the Cornerstone of the Church, so let’s make sure he remains the Cornerstone of our songs.
Congregational engagement. “Let us exalt His name together!” (Psalm 34:3)
Artistic expression. May the artists and the arts at Truro continue to be released and embraced to the glory of God.
Training and releasing. In our children’s and youth ensembles, and in our raising up of new worship leaders, may Truro be deploying skilled musicians in our congregation and beyond.
My job is to be like a tour guide at the Grand Canyon, simply saying “Behold!”, and then stepping out of the way. It will be a privilege to join you again in beholding the greatness of God in Christ, in the power of the Spirit, every Sunday.
Worthily Magnify 
Loved your comparison of worship leaders to grand canyon tour guides. So true! I’ve been in my “new” position for 10 months. Sounds like you’re already planning to implement the best advice I was given before starting… “Listen. Love. Then Lead. Throughout all of these…Pray.” Do that and all will go well.
May God continue to bless you as you continue to bless your congregation and all of us who follow you each week!
Congrats on the new adventure. Sounds like you’ve got Godly wisdom in coming into a new church in that you are not trying to change the church with an overbearing agenda. God bless you as you serve there!
“And whether we’re beginning again in a new church, or looking ahead to yet another program year in the same church with the same people and the same challenges, God is always up to something. He is always working in ways we can’t see. ”
You don’t know how much I needed to hear this. For me it’s another year in the same church with the same people and challenges. Perfectly timed words of encouragement for me to not lose heart….God IS up to something, and He IS working. Thank you!
Jamie, I couldn’t agree with you more on the salient points you highlighted as necessary to conduct true worship. if all the performance is removed, someone remarked to me, all the attendees will disappear. So they must have come for the performance and not the Lord!