New Time

A new time has been entered into. For the first time, I’m involved in a form of paid ministry. Now the transition shouldn’t mean too much – my attitude towards ministering in the church shouldn’t shift from ‘ho-hum’ to ‘fully-committed’. Hopefully that commitment and devotion is true for every Christian as a co-worker in the gospel (Phil 1:5). But the blessing of being provided for a little means that it frees me up to invest more hours and energy into the role.

So what is it I’m doing?

The elders of my church in Napier asked me to do a 10-hour internship in music ministry this year at the church (10 hours paid, but a lot more than that in reality!) I’m now a month in and it’s been hard grind getting all the administration organised and systems set up to allow the practical aspects of the music on Sundays to run smoothly. I’ve got an office at church which I head out to every Friday to do the admin things. Basically my job description is to enhance the music ministry at the church – and myself and another guy who has a lot more years of ministry and life experience are co-leading the music side of things. 

I’m also in a new flat in Hastings town, with a Kenyan guy also studying at Bible College. And yes, I’m still studying at college – right now doing Level 6 and focussing on Missions and Biblical Counselling. 

 

But this practical experience in church ministry, being discipled under some godly and wise men of God, and learning how to love and care for God’s people and put this theology I’m learning into practice – is an even more amazing blessing from God I’m privileged to have! 

Beyond this year – who knows? The Lord will make the paths clear (Prov 3:5-6).

This year. It’s music, and the blessing of learning to minister in a local church – God’s great instrument for changing hearts and lives in the sinful, broken world. And specifically, to lead God’s people at Onekawa in sung worship of such a great and glorious God! What a joy!

I also have a blog I’m writing more focussed on the worship through music & song-writing side of things which you can visit, and even subscribe to and follow (http://benjimusic.co.nz/blog)

Time for some Impact!

Well life has been busy. Studies have kept me fully occupied the last several weeks. What we're learning has been really fascinating though. From Greek voice (not the most simple concepts), to learning about interpreting the Bible, and delving into the gospels or Luke and John to understand why they were written and the riches they contain.

Additionally, I've started my internship (practical form of ministry into the church where the college is based -Riverbend). This year the focus is on songwriting and using the gift God's given me to serve the body of Christ. My first task will be this upcoming weekend at the Impact Bible Conference which is hosted by the church (600 people from all over NZ) where I have to perform as an item one of my songs. So getting prepared for that, and admittedly slightly nervous because of the sheer numbers of people there (though in a way its better very few know me!). Hopefully they're encouraged by the song. And over the last week, Tony Nunez and I (my Greek lecturer) have composed a theme song for the conference which we just finished after church today.. and look forward to performing it during the conference. That's been quite exciting. I really didn't think we'd be able to write a complete song... in just a week or so. If we manage to make a recording of it, I'll post it on this blog for your enjoyment also.

So a busy time looming! The next few days I'll be helping to set up the show for this conference (which will be awesome by the way.... three and half full days of really top speakers sharing from Scripture on our eternal hope which is this years theme). After the conference, I'm taking off for a few days to Taupo.