ORIGIN OF TRAINED AND SKILLED

In 1 Chronicles 25 v. 7 we read that all of them (the singers and musicians in the house of the Lord) were trained and skilled. As we read on we see that there were young and old involved, as well as teachers and students.

Surely that leads to such a mixture of expertise? Well, if we understand that oversight was in place to ensure that everyone functioned in their right place. And it was all done to the Lord, we can see that the same can be true today. Young and old working alongside each other. Teacher as well as student involved. And no sense of "one - up -man ship".

Unity on the team is something to be reached for. It comes with a full understanding of the nature of a team and the realisation that the Holy Spirit has an important part to play. He is the Spirit of unity.

These two concepts, or practices, or positions are totally different. When a person in trained they have an understanding of how to play their instrument, or how to sing. They have undergone a course of training that has led them to the place where they can play, "at the drop of a hat"! Or at the signal from a worship leader. They understand key signatures and time signatures. They know how to read music and to play what is put in front of them. A tall order, I hear you say. Surely not. We need to strive towards a greater level of understanding of the music we play.

I know that you can play all the notes, and read all the notes; Play all the chords and all of them in three different positions.....but, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THEM? This is where the skill part comes in. It is having the ability to play and sing according to what God is doing at any certain time. Most of the songs we sing are heard on CD's. However, those songs can be sung in different keys and speeds. Sacrilege, no! Skillfulness! To be able to deliver the song in a way that enhances the praise and worship is the key. And it may not be in the key the song was written, or the way the song was first heard! We must learn to follow the promptings of the Spirit and stay flexible to what God wants.