5th Sunday after Pentecost: Becoming Poor

I am so blessed by the giving attitudes of those involved in the worship ministry at MCF.  Unlike many other church worship ministries, we seem to have relatively little divisive conflict.  Divisiveness on a worship team is always related to an unwillingness to become poor.  Divisive conflict comes from attitudes of entitlement.  Entitlement is a product of "wealth."  By wealth, I am not necessarily talking about money.  There is wealth of talent, wealth of skill, and wealth of knowledge, etc.  Entitlement is an attitude that crops up when we feel that our wealth of whatever entitles us to certain privileges.  Entitlement almost always plays out in pushiness or manipulation.  This of course always creates division.

In 2 Corinthians 8:9-11, Paul reminds us of the example of our Lord.

For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.  And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something--now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means.  2 Corinthians 8:9-11 (NRSV)

This passage shows us the key to staying power in ministry.  Staying power comes from giving up entitlement and, in a sense, becoming poor.  If we give of our time, talents, skills, or knowledge and then feel we are owed something in return, we will often get discouraged and give up.  Worship leading is about giving and not receiving honor.  It is first and foremost about giving honor to God.  That always comes in the form of honoring one another.  In the video link below, I think Kim Walker does a good job talking about becoming poor and staying poor as a worship leader.  In the last couple of years, she has become well known.  In this culture, well known worship leaders are prized.  They can almost make a career of speaking at worship conferences and leading in large venues.  It is easy for them to become entitled by their superstar status and lose sight that it is about serving and honoring.  Take a look at what she has to say.  Although she does not use the word "poor," in what ways is she encouraging worship leaders to become "poor" and to stay that way?

Kim Walker About Worship Leading