Getting Past Sunday and Wednesday

By Mark Burnett, Associate Pastor/Director of Music and Worship Ministries
First Baptist Church, Lawrenceville

If you’re like me, you only work two days a week: Sunday and Wednesday. Yeah right! But there are plenty of people who think that’s exactly what we do. And, let’s face it, our work days are usually spent in preparation for Sunday and Wednesday.

Looking Toward Wednesday Rehearsal 

Here is what happens to me sometimes: I’ve just finished a wonderful day of worship and ministry on Sunday, and now it’s Monday. Eyes on the prize. Wednesday rehearsal is coming. Have to print new orchestra parts because we want to use a different key than last time. Whoops, time for pastors meeting. Need to write that new choral ending. Oh wait, I actually have to plan the whole service, not just what the choir is doing! AH, the calendar planning meeting is today!

Now on to Sunday

Alright, made it through Wednesday (what a long day!) and now it’s on to Sunday! Need to review what I’m going to say, how I’m going to say it. Maybe I can actually get ahead now and start on next week’s service. Nope, my guitarist needs some help with capos and transpositions. Oh, now he wants me to change what key I’m playing in at the piano, but only for these 34 measures. Back to Finale so I don’t make a fool of myself trying to transpose on the spot. Time to meet with my sound guy to talk about upgrades …

STOP!

Is this all there is? I’m worn out just reading through my own week! No wonder we get burned out! If we’re not careful, we can busy ourselves so much with preparations for Sunday and Wednesday that we miss the point of it all. Don’t misunderstand, Sunday worship should be the pinnacle of our ministry each week! But are we actually ministering all week?

Ministering during the Week

Recently, I’ve begun (again) praying through Scripture, and inevitably someone comes to mind as I pray, and I send them a quick text message with the scripture, encouraging them by God’s word and in prayer. It shouldn’t surprise us that, more often than not, the person replies in thankfulness at the timely word of encouragement in their life.

This simple act of reaching out, which takes almost no time at all, changes my daily outlook in ministry. No longer am I just “doing my job” to get the music ready. I’m ministering to people, connecting with their daily lives. Then when they see me on Sunday and Wednesday, they know there’s more to the music minister than just two days.

Take the time to get past Sunday and Wednesday and do the hard work of ministry to people. Our ministry to God will be all the better for it! And that makes all the “work” totally worth it.