Quality

In the past month or so the Music & Arts department has been talking about the issue of quality.  And by quality, we were talking about it  with respect to attaining a certain degree of  high standards; an approaching of excellence in our trade as musicians.   It all started at a Music & Arts Committee Meeting where we had a chance to reflect a little on how valuable we perceived quality to be.  In that discussion we found that as Arts leadership in Cornerstone, we feel very strongly that quality is important.  We talked about how it demonstrates our investment and commitment to what we do.  It shows that we have a certain healthy amount of satisfaction in what we’re doing.  Often as musicians if we don’t do our best we’re faced with a certain amount of anxiety.  We don’t feel right about giving a substandard effort.  Being fully prepared is a freeing thing.  Our quality standards also reflect on our motivation on service: If God is who we are serving, and God is Holy and magnificent, we should bring to him our very best.

As I though about this more I was reading in Leviticus at the time, and Chapter 22.17-31 gives the Lord’s instructions as to what kind of offerings the Lord finds acceptable.  It lists the kinds of animals and all the possible imperfections that cannot and should not be brought before the Lord.  In verse 31 the importance of quality it is linked to the Holiness of God, and we are to be faithful in bringing our best sacrifices to him.  In verse 32 it says, “Do not treat my holy name as common and ordinary.  I must be treated as holy by the people of Israel.  It is I, the Lord, who makes you holy.”  And so we bring the best to our Lord.

There is an amazing miracle in this.  We cannot attain perfection, and perfectionism can be a trap for artists.  It is up to God to accomplish the work of cleansing us, to make us a suitable offering.  He makes us Holy.  The work of Christ makes us holy,  makes our offerings pleasing to God.  So if we start with a heart offered to Jesus, motivated to serve him, then God will find pleasure in our service of Him and His kingdom.

Its been great to see the worship teams embrace this as we’ve been talking about it.  One of the questions that came out of the discussions was why are we talking about this now?  Is there a problem of quality?  I’m happy to say no, not at all.  I think our musicians are really good, and we’re blessed with a lot of talented people.  But that doesn’t mean we stop pursuing, or stop  challenging ourselves in our pursuit of following God where he calls us.

Lorn
Associate Pastor of Music & Arts