Excellence in Worship: Should Church Musicians Be Paid?

By Darrelle R. Alexander

Church musicians' compensation obfuscates many religious people. One commentator of a nationally syndicated religious radio program stated that from all the religious questions, none is as controversial as Should church musicians should be paid? Darrell Alexander resolves the answer through fundamental Bible texts.

If you are a church musician, minister of music, soloist, instrumentalist, choir member, church member, trustee, finance committee member, music workshop organizer, teacher, music workshop presenter, praise team member, interested in becoming a church musician, choir president, organist, pianist, choir director, chorister, church board member, deaconess, pastor, asst. pastor, deacon, professors, a bishop, a priest, a member of the leadership system for your congregation, denomination, and/or any religious organization, students of Theology, Music, Worship and Praise, Sacred Music, or just have a curiosity about whether church musicians should be compensated, then this book is a MUST READ for you!

Darrell Alexander, the author, discusses the foundations of the creation of the world, Lucifer and the war in Heaven, the Levites, tithes and offerings, and ways to bridge the gap between ministers, musicians, choir members, administrations, and leadership systems of churches, and religious denominations. How do we differentiate between who is compensated in the church or not compensated? The author prays that Excellence in Worship: Should Church Musicians Be Paid?, helps to transform any assumptions of ideations, paradigms, and traditions, within churches and denominations and their leaders and members concerning the subject, so that we all may continue to strive for excellence in worship to God. Every church and its members and officials should have a copy in their library Excellence in Worship: Should Church Musicians Be Paid? is "straight talk" concerning, music, excellence in worship, tithes, offerings, and the church.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jul 27, 2006
• ISBN: 9781412236836

Darrelle R. Alexander

Darrell Alexander is an accomplished pianist, organist and minister of music, endowed by God with unique Spirit-filled, versatile, multi-genre's, natural and skillful musical talents. Mr. Alexander has worked with such great talents as: Richard Penninman (Little Richard), and Clifton Davis. Darrell has held position as organist and pianist for "The Nashville Gospel Show" and musician for "The Bobby Jones Gospel Hour", Darrell has worked with additional Christian artists as: Shirley Caesar, Bebe & Cece Winans, The Clark Sisters, Bobby Jones, Vickie Winans, Billy & Sarah Gaines, and hosts of others Christian artists. His extensive CV in working with churches across the south and northeastern parts of the country includes, but not limited to : Berean S.D.A. and Ebenezer Baptist both of Atlanta, GA. Oakwood College S.D.A. of Huntsville, AL., Pleasant Green Baptist, Christ Church, Hillcrest S.D.A., Riverside S.D.A., Cleveland Street Baptist, Foster Chapel M.B. all located in Nashville, TN., Miller Memorial Baptist, True Gospel Tabernacle, North Philadelphia S.D.A., Enon Tabernacle Baptist, Germantown S.D.A., and Ebenezer S.D.A., all located in Philadelphia, PA., Salem Baptist-Jenkintown, PA., and The Abyssinian Baptist Church of New York City, Dr. Rev. Calvin O. Butts, III, pastor, and Antioch Baptist Church of Brooklyn, NY., pastor, Rev. D. Darrell Griffin. Darrell worked as either musician, minister of music, director of music, organist, and pianist at the previous churches. In 2002, Dr. Charles F. Reese, Academic Dean of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, founded by the renown, Rev. Dr. James Cleveland, invited Darrell to teach the class, "Recommended Salary for Church Musicians". It was from this class, and the help of the students, and Darrell's present and past experiences as a church musician practitioner on how this book originated. Although "mega churches" are on the rise, many churches are dying because of "traditional" paradigm's concerning church music and structure of worship. Darrell affirms, "Satan is very angry about this book, but God is in control". It has been confirmed throughout my life since taking on this assignment by God. When I finished the book, one Friday evening, I took extremely ill with chills, and shaking uncontrollably. The next day, I called my doctor and was diagnosed with cellulitus in my left leg. Nevertheless, I was commissioned by God to complete my assignment and with His help it is completed. "Thank you Jesus~!" Darrell encourages everyone with an assignment given to them by God to complete it! God rewards obedience. The workbook and audio-book for Excellence in Worship: Should Church Musicians Be Paid? will be available at: werocm.com

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© Copyright 2005 Darrell R. Alexander.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Note for Librarians: A cataloguing record for this book is available from Library and Archives Canada at www.collectionscanada.ca/amicus/index-e.html

ISBN 1-4120-6061-3

ISBN 978-1-4122-3683-6 (ebook)

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EXCELLENCE IN WORSHIP: SHOULD CHURCH MUSICIANS BE PAID? Copyright © 2005 by Darrell R. Alexander. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author. Contact the author at [e-mail].

Design and layout: Regina R. Hayden, Regina Reaves Creative Services

Cover photos: Sheet of Music © 2004 Brand X Pictures/Getty Images; Crowd Image © 2004 LTV Productions, LLC. Photograph of Mr. Alexander taken by Cedric Baugh © 2002 Darrell Alexander.

Additional copies of this book are available by visiting the Web site of the Worldwide Registry of Church Musicians, LLC, at http://www.werocm.com.

Scripture references:

All scripture quoted in this book are taken from the King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Scripture references marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Bible texts credited to RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission.

ISBN 1-4120-6061-3

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 05-0962

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$hould Church Musicians Be Paid?

Straight Talk on Music, Worship, Tithes, and the Church

DARRELL R. ALEXANDER

Foreword by Dr. George E. Thornton, Sr.

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Trafford Publishing

Victoria, BC, Canada

www.trafford.com

Contents

DEDICATION & MEMORIES

FOREWORD

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

one      WHERE WERE YOU?

two      THE ONGOING CONTROVERSY

three      WORSHIP

four      THE LEVITES: WHO ARE THEY?

five      MUSIC, WORSHIP, AND DANCE

six      THE PR-I-DE PROBLEM

seven      WHY IS THE HOUSE OF GOD FORSAKEN?

eight      INVEST IN WORSHIP

nine      NET VS. GROSS: ON WHICH SHOULD I TITHE?

ten      SEVEN SUGGESTED PRINCIPLES WHEN HIRING A CHURCH MUSICIAN

eleven      SALARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHURCH MUSICIANS

twelve      THE FINAL CHALLENGE!

ILLUSTRATIONS

DEDICATION & MEMORIES

All honor and glory to God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon me, and for the opportunity to share with you what He has shown me in His Word. This book is first dedicated, without question or hesitation, to the memory of my loving and devoted mother, Mrs. Leila Thomas Alexander (deceased, April 11, 2001). Momma was deemed one of the greatest, most talented and skillful musicians on this earth. Next, it is dedicated in memory of my younger brother, Ronald Todd Alexander, who died tragically in an accident on September 13, 2002. Todd was a gifted drummer, bass guitarist, and vocalist. It is dedicated also to Dr. R. M. Simmons (deceased), former dean of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), for his work, research, and foresight in initiating pay scale objectives for church musicians in his book, Paying the Church Musician.

May God abundantly bless this project and everyone involved in its success as we expand the outreach of music ministry. We invoke His blessings as we increase our territories, thereby enabling others to learn about the uncovered truths concerning this topic.

I would also like to dedicate this book to five special people in my life: my father, Henry Alexander, who taught me my first piano lesson; my daughter, Darbi Dorleia, who, by God’s grace, has excelled in her freshman year at the University of Tennessee with a 4.0 grade average, and has received the Freshman of the Year Award; and my niece, Felisha Marie, who proudly delivered a baby boy (Trent Todd) and maintained her college education with great stride. Ms. Pearl Alexander (Felisha’s mother), I appreciate your strength, your words of encouragement, and your constant support, as well as your candidness. To my great aunt, Mrs. Coreania Hayman Carter of New York City, who is a retired lyric soprano known for her Broadway roles in Carmen Jones and Porgy & Bess. As founders of Carter A.M.E. Church in Queens, New York, Aunt Coreania and her husband, the late Reverend Julius Carter, gave 25 years of service to their church.

Finally, to my extended family of aunts and uncles, and to all of my cousins—I love you all!

FOREWORD

In the book of Revelation, chapter five, our attention is drawn to a book (scroll) that God literally holds in His hand. The book is sealed with seven seals. The number seven is a symbol of perfection. The question is then raised, Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof? Well, I’ll let the theologians, teachers, and preachers grapple with that question. However, when it comes to the issue of music in worship, and whether or not musicians should be compensated for what they do, the question arises again: Who is worthy? Excellence in Worship: Should Church Musicians Be Paid? seeks to address, and attempts to offer, keen insights and perspectives relative to this important question of music, the musician, and the leadership system of governance with respect to worship.

Most of us are familiar with the expression You’re preaching to the choir! In fact, the book does preach to the choir; also, it is about teaching the choir, the choir director, the musicians, and all others about the important role of those we position as guardians over the critical function of music, musical worship, and the ministry of music and arts in the church.

Is the role of music valued enough in worship? As we seek to offer God our best and ponder the question of whether or not the musician should be paid, let us also ponder whether or not he or she is skilled, anointed, qualified, educated, and experienced. Finally, should we just adopt a whatever posture when it comes to music and worship and simply just do what is comfortable for us?

These questions are so very pivotal today, since we live in an era in which bootlegging copies, burning CDs, and downloading music have become so very commonplace. Some may even quip, Just pop in a CD for the church, for the choir, and you’re good to go. In this hi-tech society where music is now being manufactured, produced, and created by computers and synthesizers rather than by choirs and congregations, is it really necessary to pay the church musician?

I firmly believe that true music grows out of struggle and out of victory. Music is the speech of the soul when language is too feeble to carry the weight of emotions. True music emerges from the victory that comes after the struggle. Perhaps the reigning heresy of our times is that we can know deliverance without contest, success without struggle, eminence without effort, and work without sweat. It pains me to think that many are selling out when it comes to music and worship rather than giving God their best.

That’s why I applaud Darrell’s book, because it catapults us to a higher standard of excellence in music and worship in giving God our best for His glory, even if it means hiring the best! Note that the very word hiring suggests one’s being compensated for what he or she does! And why shouldn’t the musician who is hired to provide a service in the area of music be paid from the storehouse of the tithes and offerings? Isn’t the preacher, who is also hired to provide a service, likewise paid from the tithes and offerings? Are not music and preaching both ministries?

It has long been said that music is the universal language of the soul However, music is not a university whereby everyone who, by virtue of simply having obtained a degree, automatically becomes qualified to speak on the subject—no more than being trained as an actor necessarily qualifies one to speak on behalf of the producer of a play. So, while music is the universal language of the soul because of its far reaching effects, it is not universal in the sense that just anyone can weigh in on the topic of paying the church musician. I submit to you that only those with a special dispensation can do so.

In the words of the Revelator, Who is worthy to open this book? And the answer comes: He who has a good musical ear. Darrell Alexander has such an ear. So, reader, go on and open the book, and may a sweet tune arise from your hearing and understanding. Imbibe this rare compilation of thoughts and feast on Darrell’s keen, crisp insight designed to move you on up a little higher toward a greater understanding of this issue of paying church musicians.

As you read this dynamic book, you will grow to understand why it is Alexander’s special anointing that uniquely equips him to be God’s mouthpiece for such a delicate issue.

By George, you’ve got it!

Dr. George E. Thornton, Sr.

CEO & Consultant

Educational Service Training (EST) Enterprise

and Professor, DeVry University

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I thank God for giving me the courage and the strength to complete this book. He knows the struggles and trials that Lucifer placed before me; however, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Phil. 4:13).

Music and worship have been discussed and written through ideations and cultures of many authors with varied beliefs. The authors I leaned on for knowledge were Barry Liesch, E. G. White, Curtis D. Hollembeak, Dr. R. M. Simmons, Grantley Morris, Rabbi Chaim Richman, Neville V. Stevens, Dr. James Abbington, Willyne Ann Taylor, Barry Griffing, Roland W. Perry, II, Tim Fisher, Jim Bakker, and Robert Johnson Smith, II—to name a few.

Other friends, family and loved ones gave their support, either through constructive criticisms or their frequent prayers—such as Carolyn T. Hinson; Kirk U. Thompson, Lolita and James White, Dr. Stan L. Mims, Crystal and Leon Thomas, and Charles P. Wright. These individuals also assisted in editorial presentation and content. In addition, I thank Mrs. Loyce Thompson and Mrs. Gazetta Roberts, both of Nashville, Tennessee, for their help in the initial phase of editing chapters one through six.

To name a few more: Darbi Dorleia Alexander, my daughter; Felisha Maria Alexander, my niece; Pearl Alexander, my neice’s mother; Henry Alexander, my father; my cousins, Joseph and Geraldine Williams; and Renea Alexander; Uncle Daniel Alexander; Minister Dondrea Ward; Aunt Coreania Carter; Kim Ortiz; Deacon Ezra Williams; Valerie and Raymond Baynard, aunt and uncle; Lorraine Ricks, aunt; Milton and Doralyn Thomas, uncle and aunt; Douglas L. Price; Nazarene Bell; Focus Browser; Elder Duane and Joy Thomas; Aunt Drease Thomas Green; Willie Vinson; Ronald Newsome; Lee Goodman, Esq.; Don D. Scott; Kael Taylor, and all of my cousins. I thank you all for your encouragement toward the completion of this book.

Special thanks to those of you who gave financially to help the cause of God move forward. Because of your generosity, people are now reading what God has bestowed upon my heart. You know who you are, and I will respect your wishes for confidentiality.

To the Philadelphia Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), our local chapter leaders Rev. Freeman Wilson and Rev. Robert Preston, thanks for allowing me to teach my music and participate with the chapter choir on several occasions. To James and Geraldine Ford, Mrs. Merdean Fielding-Gales, Rev. Melvin Wade, Ms. Helen Stephens—to all, thanks for your leadership. A very special thanks to Elder Eugene Bryant of Inglewood, California, who was instrumental in getting me involved and active in the GMWA, and is a dynamite man of God; Dr. Charles Reese, dean of the GMWA Academic Division; Rodena Preston-Williams, vice chair, Mass Choir of GMWA; Mrs. Lorene Simmons, widow of Dr. R. M. Simmons, thanks for your encouragement and emotional support for this project; Bishop Sam Williams, director of the National Gospel Announcers Guild (GAG); Dr. Al The Bishop Hobbs, executive vice chairman of GMWA; and to Rev. Dr. (Bishop) Albert L. Jamison, for your love of music and your leading role as chairman of the GMWA board of directors. Thank you all for believing in me, encouraging me, and sustaining me while I taught the class, Recommended Salaries for Church Musicians (2002). Thank you to those students who faithfully attended class each morning to listen, share, and learn. It was this class, along with a few other life experiences and lessons, that inspired me to write this book.

A special thanks to Dr. Simmons, former dean of the GMWA, for his dream and foresight found in his book on evaluating church musicians’ salaries, and for incorporating variables that will help distinguish and encourage musicians to study and learn music for the Lord. I thank God for the late Rev. James Cleveland, founder of GMWA, and his dream of placing the many genre’s of gospel music at the forefront of churches across America and throughout the world.

To all of the churches, organizations, ministers, and gospel music artists I have played for in the past, thanks for your trust in my musical abilities. I especially thank Rev. D. Darrell Griffin; Overseer Ernest McNear; Elder Charles D. Brooks;

Rev. Wilkins O. Jones (deceased); Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III; Elder George Russell Seay; Elder Joseph Hinson (deceased); Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller; Rev. James Alexander; Elder F. W. Parker; Elder H. L. Cleveland; Elder Kirk U. Thompson; Pastor Walter L. Pearson, Jr.; Elder Joseph McCoy; Bishop Michael Lee Graves; Rev. Dr. Robert Johnson Smith, II (deceased); Elder Alvin Kibble; Dr. E. E. Cleveland; Dr. Bobby Jones, host of The Bobby Jones Gospel Hour; The Nashville Gospel Show, hosted by Tommy Lewis and Theresa Hannah; Barbara McNear; Dr. Jewel Thompson; and many more.

God has a way of bringing special people into your life, and you never know what role they will play in your life as time goes by. For me, such persons are Dr. Evelyn Castro, Dean of Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York; Dr. Brenda M. Greene, Director of the Center for Black Literature and Professor of English at Medgar Evers College; and Dr. Stan L. Mims, CEO of District 189 of East St. Louis, Illinois. Thank you for your encouragement during this project.

Another one of those special blessings God presented to me came in the person of Ms. Regina Reaves Hayden of Regina Reaves Creative Services. I experienced some circumstances early in this project I prayed earnestly for a copy editor and a graphic designer. God answered my prayers by sending me an individual gifted in both areas. Gina, God has blessed you with unique talents and your dedicated services and continual aspiration for excellence has placed this book on a different level. You are indeed special and may God continue to bless you. A special thanks, also, to Mrs. Patricia Humphrey, Linda Lawrence Bullock, and Linda McLaughlin for your help during the latter stages of this project. Lastly, I thank Arlita Williams for recommending Regina to me. I sincerely appreciate all you have contributed to this project and for your words of encouragement and empowerment. You are definitely God-sent and full of Jesus.

When things seem humanly impossible, God makes all things possible. God, I thank you for blessing us in this project.

A special thank you to Dr. George E. Thornton, Sr., I appreciate your willingness to accept the challenge of writing the Foreword. Love to your wife, Carolyn, and the children. Thanks for your support and your vision for worship, dance, and song. Never stop dreaming! Through it all we have learned to trust in Jesus. God will continue to bless you and your family as you persevere and minister to the world.

INTRODUCTION

One day I overheard my mother telling my father that the pastor had failed to honor his promise and did not pay her for playing the piano for a revival. I remember wondering, How can the pastor break his promise? Repeated occurrences of non-payment for services have played over and over in my mind down through the years. Even as a child, I thought that was dishonest, and consider it more so now, as an adult. I cannot imagine how anyone can promise to remunerate a musician for his or her services and not follow through. However, ministers will sometimes justify that action by saying, The Lord will provide. God does provide, but He also wants us to be honorable.

My mother was from the old school, and she trusted ministerial leaders explicitly. Her untiring dedication, conviction and attitude about playing the piano and organ for churches inspired my quest to learn what standards the Bible offered on the subject of paying musicians. Should church musicians be paid? Momma’s skillful talents, in my opinion, were used, abused, mistreated, unappreciated, and pimped by many spiritual leaders who claimed to know Christ. I refer to it as pimped because although compensation was promised, the intent was to not always keep that commitment.

I remember specifically making the promise to myself early in life, I am not going to put up with their lying, conniving, attitudes when I grow up and start playing for the church. Momma gave tirelessly to the church, until she was physically unable to give more. Nevertheless, God turned her situation around every time, regardless of how badly church folks treated her. Ever cognizant of God’s faithful provisions, she knew her reward was not here on earth. Even while dying, Momma did not suffer. I believe God permitted that because of her perpetual willingness to serve Him.

As a child, I never understood how or why Momma worked as hard as she did with the young people of the church, when all too frequently, some of the parents failed to provide support for Momma or their children. Many Friday nights after rehearsal Momma would load young choir members into her car and take them home while their parents were already reposed or asleep. Although she worked extremely hard for 40-50 hours each week as a school teacher, she was always available to direct the youth choir. She continued to persevere at the height of exhaustion, because not only was she dedicated to the youth, but to God.

I remember when the church board (a group of people voted by church members to make decisions concerning, but not limited to, the local funds of the church) refused to pay Momma and other musicians the promised salary or honorarium. She was—to put it mildly—quite astonished, knowing that at another church where she played, the musicians were paid handsomely.

Many myths about musicians circulate throughout all denominations and churches. Some Christians, and non-Christians, believe with all of their hearts that musicians should donate their talents and time to the church. They feel that the church should be able to freely enjoy the talents God has given us. I remember talking with a young man in Chicago, Illinois, who believed strongly in this theory. I asked him the nature of his occupation, and he responded, I am a mechanical engineer.

I then asked, How many churches have you built for your religious organization for free?

He grinned and said, Not a one.

I asked him Why not? God has given you the talent of creating architecture, with which you could build a monument of churches to His glory throughout the world. Yet you tell me that I need to play without pay for the church, and all the while you refuse to build churches without pay because, as you say, it is your occupation. Well, music is my occupation

He grinned again and replied, I understand where you are coming from now

This tradition, and non-biblical belief, has invaded most churches and denominations of ALL faiths, to the point where now musicians themselves are confused over the issue.

Isn’t it interesting that church members in other occupations are compensated by the church for their time, talents, and expertise, but musicians are expected to volunteer their services? For example, if there is an extensive plumbing problem, the church might be more inclined to pay a plumber who is also a member of that church than to ask that plumber to donate his or her time. They would be anxious to get a problem like that fixed no matter what the cost, don’t you think? Most churches employ administrative assistants. Why aren’t these individuals asked to donate service for their work, as expected of musicians? Let’s take it further. Do preachers, who represent God, donate their time? Most likely not. They may donate hours of overtime, but the other benefits they receive are more than just a pat on the back. Ironically, some of these same ministers will argue that musicians should not be paid.

What about, trained, skilled, educated, and anointed musicians who make a difference in worship services? Should they donate their time? To be honest, when one looks at the sanctuary and how it was set up, even in this instance, God did not expect uncompensated work from the workers (Levites), nor did He give instructions for them to give of their time, talents, and expertise without pay. All of the Levites, including the musicians, were paid from God’s inheritance. From the doorkeepers to the cooks, musicians, choir members, soloists, and priests—all sanctuary workers—were paid in full wages from the tithes and offerings of the church. This was their full-time job, their obligation, and their duty—a custom from their family’s lineage. God set it up that way for a reason. We will discuss this in upcoming chapters.

Should church musicians be paid a set salary from the tithes and offerings, or should they just accept whatever remuneration the church offers? Should they donate their time and talents to the church? Is this biblical? Was it in God’s original plan for musicians, ministers, or any full-time workers to donate their time to His church?

With more than thirty-five years experience as a church music clinician, I have come to realize that in order to give excellence in musical offerings, musicians must be anointed, prepared, talented, dedicated, and of full-time status. As a jealous God, our Father demands the very best in everything we do for Him, including the return of our tithes and offerings in worship.

Whatever you do for the church is between you and Christ. This book is designed to educate those who handle the business of the church that it is not biblical to expect musicians to play for free. Nor is it biblical for these decision-makers to place other business over worship needs. Hence, when we invest properly in our worship services, all other concerns—administrative, maintenance, financial, and other issues—are no longer struggles. If we follow God’s plan, all of these things will be added unto us.

Striving for Excellence

Before we delve too deeply into the discussion about payment for and donations of our musical gifts and other gifts of ministry, we must first look at our presentations of these gifts. The main purpose for writing this book is to encourage prayer and further research and investigation relative to excellence in worship. To faithfully provide excellence in our musical presentations each week, while giving God glory through honor, praise, and worship is essential. God is laudable and worthy; He deserves the best of our prayers, sermons, music, dances, and praises!

Pastors, deacons, trustees, board members, and church members all comprise leadership systems in churches throughout the world. Hence, we should believe, know, and show that nothing is too costly for Christ in obtaining excellence in our worship to Him. He requires us to give Him excellence in worship, which also includes our tithes and offerings.

Another goal of this book is to sanction research comparing full-time ministers of music to part-time ministers of music and their roles in regards to music excellence, music programs, and the development of musicians within the church. Also, to make known a thus saith the Lord. Everyone has opinions, but what does the Bible say about compensating musicians? So, while reading this book, it is strongly recommended that you have your Bible nearby for reference.

One other goal is to bridge the gap between churches, denominations, and congregations related to compensating anointed, talented, and gifted musicians for music worship leadership and the glorification of God in His splendor.

Thus my intentions are to unlock minds, empower procedures of change, and revolutionize leadership systems now in place within churches, congregations, and

denominations. When it’s all said and done, God will receive His glory through our praises and worship of excellence.

A belief system must be in place in order to really grasp what the Bible says. This belief theory is found in 2 Timothy 3:16, 17:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

If you do not believe that God is the author of the Bible—Old and New Testaments—or you feel that the Bible needs more explanation other than what it expounds, then you should stop reading this book. What lies beyond these pages may cause your eyes to widen, your minds to wonder, and there may even be gnashing of the teeth. Men may even find themselves loosening their ties and women letting down their hair. The Word of God is TRUTH, and the TRUTH will set you FREE!

one

WHERE WERE YOU?

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep; And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light:’ and there was light."-Gen. 1:1, 2

"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding."-Job 38:4

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made."-John 1:1-3

These Bible verses acknowledge God as the Creator and Maker of all things here on earth and in heaven. God was God before He created Earth. God has always been and always shall be. Why then, do creatures try to tell their Creator what to do? This is like a child telling his or her parent what to do. Parents have always lived before their children. However, Christ was the exception, having lived before His parents, Mary and Joseph, were born. This is why God is God. He is not restrained by earthly laws, time, or nature. God, the Son of man, lived before He was born.

I remember occasionally telling my daughter, Darbi, and my niece, Felisha, stories about my youth—what I did as a child or as a young adult. I would end the