A Holy Calling

I found this post from a Worship Leader and loved it.....thought I would share....its from one of my favorite books 'The Heart of an Artist" by Rory Noland...gw

A Holy Calling

by Jeffrey Ream

Can you imagine the difference it would make on your band or worship team if they felt the passion, the privilege, and responsibility of a Holy Calling rather than the duties of a volunteer.

In his book entitled "Heart of the Artist" Rory Noland poses that your ministry teams must not be merely Volunteers but must have a "Holy Calling" on their lives for that specific ministry.

Below is his list of differences between "Volunteers" and people with a "Holy Calling".

1. Volunteers see their involvement at church as community service, but people called of God see it as ministry.

2. Volunteers whine about what it's going to cost to serve, but people called are committed to serving.

3. Volunteers shrink back from resolving relational conflict, but people called of God seek to resolve relational conflict for the sake of unity in the church.

4. Volunteers look upon rehearsal as another commitment they're obligated to fulfill, but people called of God look forward to rehearsal as another opportunity to be used by God.

5. Volunteers do no outside practicing or preparation, but people who are called of God come to rehearsals and a performance as prepared as possible.

6. Volunteers are not open to constructive criticism; they get defensive about it. But people of God are grateful for feedback because they want to be the best they can be.

7. Volunteers feel threatened by the talent of others, but people called of God Praise Him for distributing gifts and talents as He chooses.

8. Volunteers want to quit at the first sign of adversity or discouragement, but people called of God dig in and persevere.

9. Volunteers find their main source of fulfillment in their talents and abilities, but people called of God know that being used of God is the most fulfilling thing you can do with your life.

10. Volunteers can't handle begin put in situations in which they're going to be stretched, but people called of God respond to God's call with humble dependence on Him.

How much more would your team members be motivated, if they were fueled by a Holy Calling rather than by simple duty? Let me encourage you as leaders who are fulfilling your own calling. We must be intentional in the ways which we lead our teams. Remind them of their calling. And if necessary remove them if they are more like volunteers than people with a "Holy Calling".