The Music Department of St. Paul hosted its "Fourth Annual Workshop." The workshop was a two-day intense music and spiritual fellowship.

The very gifted and talented workshop leaders were the Reverend Noland Williams of Metropolitan Baptist Church located in Washington,  D.C., and Stephen Key of Asbury United Methodist Church also located in Washington, D.C.

The clinicians challenged each participant to be a minister of music and worship. They stressed: (1) vocal techniques (breath control and tone quality), (2) music for praise and worship, (3) proper attitude for ministering to the congregation through song.

Stephen Key presented the participants with the idea "Is It a Job or Is It a Ministry"? He said churches are filled with people doing jobs, but great and growing churches are filled with people involved in ministry.

Sharing some excerpts on "Is It a Job or Is It a Ministry," by Pecolla A. H.. Scott.

Is it a job or is it a ministry? Some people have a job in the church. Others involve themselves in a ministry. What's the difference? If you doing it just because no one else will...It's a job. If you doing it to serve the Lord. It's a ministry. If you quit because someone criticized you...It's a job. What is the difference?…

If your reward is from people...It's a job. If your reward is in heaven...It's a ministry. If you quit because no one thanked you or praised you...It was a job. If you stayed with it when nobody recognized your efforts...It was a ministry. What is the difference?…

If you're a servant, it's a ministry. If your concern is success -- JOB. If your concern is faithfulness -- MINISTRY. If someone had to convince you --JOB.  If you have a job, give it up and find a ministry. If God has called you --MINISTRY … so don't treat it like a job! The Lord wants you to be excited while you are faithful to Him in ministry. What's the difference...?

This year's workshop did not include a "concert," however, the music learned will be presented on Friday, October 12, 2001, at 7:30 p.m., in a grand and glorious concert which will be part of St. Paul's 210th Anniversary celebration.

Please plan to attend. You're in for a treat.