by Michelle Tuesday

Created on: February 10, 2009   Last Updated: May 12, 2010

In Matthew 4:19, Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." As Christians, our mission is simple: spread the Word and win souls for Christ. A Christian music ministry is music performance which serves as an instrument in that mission. Your music ministry could range from a solo street performance in which you sing of Christ's love for the public to establishment of a musical mega-church that brings in worshipers from hundreds of miles around, or anything in between. More than likely, you are considering something a bit more middle-of-the-road, but regardless of the scope of your aspirations, three fundamental requirements remain the same: a heart for Christ, knowledge of the Word, and a working knowledge of music performance.

Let us assume you are looking at launching a choir, a band, or new music-centric worship such as a contemporary, jazz, or rock service. What do you need to consider before you begin?

(1) Identify your goals.
Like any venture that requires an investment of time and/or money, you should clearly spell out your goals before you begin. Identify why you want to launch this ministry. Do you love music and feel this is your calling in serving God? Does someone else, a worship leader or church council, perhaps, expect it of you? Are you looking for a way to revitalize growth in a stagnant congregation? Make sure your reasons for the ministry are the right, Christ-centered reasons.

(2) Identify your audience.
With whom are you sharing God's love in this ministry? Are you ministering to teens? Families? The elderly? The homeless? Bikers at the local pub on Friday nights? Know your audience and their musical preferences. Published Christian music covers about every musical genre in existence. If you want the Word to be heard, you need to start with music that the audience is interested in hearing.

(3) Identify your ensemble.
If your ministry is a solo act, this part is easy. However, if you plan to start a multi-musician choir or band, you need leadership skills. Reliable volunteers can be hard to come by. For the same reason, you'll need flexibility, and music theory skills are a plus. If you struggle to get men in your choir, be willing to perform two-part or three-part choral pieces. If your horn quartet turns out to include three trumpets and a french horn, then some skill in musical arrangement can come in handy. If you can't find a bass player for your praise band, let the piano player crank out the bass line. Be flexible and

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