A. DEFINITION

PRAISE - an expression of heartfelt gratitude and thanksgiving to God for all that He has done for us. It is a physical and vocal expression of our sincere appreciation to God for all the wonderful blessings He has provided.

WORSHIP – is the highest form of praise. Going beyond the thoughts of all of His wonderful blessings to us, we are expressing our admiration and commending God Himself for His person, character, attributes and perfection.

B. GOALS

1. To minister to the Lord 2. To minister to the Pastor 3. To minister to the body/church

C. FUNCTION OF THE MINISTRY OF PRAISE & WORSHIP

1. PROPHET Often those whom God has chosen as the worship leaders will have the ministry “gifting”

of a prophet. Music is often used to release the spirit of prophecy into action.

I Chronicles 25: 1a “Moreover David and the captains of

the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments and cymbals.

I Chronicles 25:3 “Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun:

Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise the Lord.

2. MINISTER In the dictionary, minister means a

clergyman serving a church; a pastor;

Praise & Worship ministry should be under the Pastoral ministry since it has a “ministering” function.

I Chronicles 16: 4 “ and he appointed some of the

Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel.”

In the Old testament, singers and musicians had an important function in the temple.

2 Chronicles 5: 11-14 2 Chronicles 7:6THEREFORE, as praise & worship leaders,

you are creating an atmosphere for the presence of God.