Several months ago, a close friend in music ministry told me of an unusual concern he had been carrying about his church and its staff. He became quite emotional as he shared that their staff meetings contained a “token prayer” at the beginning of each meeting — a prayer he said was quite routine and lasted less than a minute.

I wasn’t necessarily shocked until he reported that that was the only prayer during staff meetings. That one token prayer. In disbelief, or in hopes I had misunderstood him, I asked, “well, you mean until the time in the meeting where you stop to pray for the church, the staff, upcoming events, and that sort of thing.”

He assured me that this simple opening prayer was the meeting’s only prayer.

Isn’t it fascinating how the forest can indeed become hidden by the trees? Here we are, often working our ministerial selves to the bones in an attempt to build churches that change people’s lives. It’s ironic. God’s existence is why we have jobs and ministries and churchly duties. Yet with all the power He’s given us to complete our tasks, it’s surprising that there would even be one church that doesn’t tap His Almighty help.

May each of us realize the strength and energy that can come from a church staff that truly invokes the presence of God into their own day-to-day activities. And may we as ministry leaders rise up to ask His presence into our rehearsals, our worship services, and our performances, knowing that with Him, He can be even more effectively served.

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