How do we, as church worship leaders and pastors, truly cultivate excellence within our music teams? It’s a question many of us regularly ask ourselves. Beyond polished performances, what does genuine excellence look like when applied to our Sunday services? It's not just about hitting the right notes; it’s about the heart behind the music. 

What Defines Excellence in Church Music Ministry?

Building a culture of excellence within your worship team takes time and intentionality. The first crucial question is: What does success truly mean for your music team? Every church has unique goals and dynamics. While outward excellence may vary, inward excellence—driven by the best quality motive—remains universal.

The Poor Widow's Example: Inward Excellence Matters Most

Recall the story of the poor widow in the Bible. She gave two small copper coins while the rich gave large sums. Yet, Jesus praised her, saying she gave more because she offered all she had out of her poverty. This powerful example illustrates that outward offering is a reflection of the inward heart. True excellence begins within, with the motive behind our service.

Success in ministry isn't the endorsement of your character. It's the revelation of God's glory.
—Paul David Tripp

Developing Best Quality Motive: Aligning with Jesus

How do we cultivate this “best quality motive”? It's a work of the Spirit. Our motives need to align with Jesus' motive. To achieve this, we must spend time with Him. Just as we learn the heart of a close friend by spending time with them, we learn God's heart by spending time with Him. This means listening to His voice through the Bible and in prayer. Recognizing that our work is spiritual and dependent on prayer is paramount.

Ephesians: Purpose for His Glory

One key passage for understanding God's purpose is found in Ephesians 1.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
—Ephesians 1:11-12

Throughout this chapter, Paul emphasizes repeatedly that our purpose is "for the praise of His glory," not our own. If we focus solely on outward excellence without cultivating inward excellence, our efforts become about personal glory rather than God's glory. This misalignment is where excellence in the church can go astray. It’s not even about external validation or recognition for doing things "right."

Humility and God's Glory

As Paul David Tripp states, "Success in ministry isn't the endorsement of your character. It's the revelation of God's glory." This statement underscores the importance of humility in our pursuit of excellence. Humility, a work of the Spirit, reminds us that it's always about Jesus. When our hearts are right, desiring God’s glory, then we can focus on the outer aspects of excellence, doing the best with what God has given us—true “faithful excellence.”

Conclusion

Ultimately, when our hearts desire God’s glory, we can focus on the outer excellence. True excellence is using what God has given us to the best of our ability—"faithful excellence." As worship leaders and pastors, let’s prioritize cultivating a culture where inward motive and outward expression align to bring glory to God.

—Scott Lavender
CityAlight Songwriter & St Paul's Church Music Director