Ministry - The etymology (the study of the origins of words or parts of words and how they have arrived at their current form and meaning) of the English word “ministry” derives from the 14th century via Old French, which was conceived from Latin ministerial = minister or "servant."
How is music considered a ministry?
Since being a servant, comes from something or one who serves, then by definition the music “serves” a purpose.
According to Encarta Dictionary, music can “serve” more than one purpose and fits several definitions of the word “serve.”
1. The music and lyrics can “be used for something: to be useful for a particular purpose.”
* A box with a piece of wood on top served as a table.
* It serves no purpose at all.
2. The music and lyrics can “have a particular effect: to have a particular effect or result.”
* This letter will serve to remind you of our appointment.
3. The music and lyrics can “assist somebody in particular way: to assist or help somebody in a particular way, either well or badly.”
* His previous experience served him well.
4. The music and lyrics can “provide customers with goods: to attend to customers, especially in a store, and provide them with goods, supplies, or services.”
* Are you being served, madam?
5. The music and lyrics can “worship somebody or something: to admire or follow somebody or something worshipfully (formal).”
* They serve only the Son of God.
Synonyms of the word “ministry” - function, work, operate, act, perform, behave
supply, dish up, serve up, hand out, hand round, give out, dole out (informal), provide, distribute.
Does the style of music matter? Does the genre of the music matter?
No, the style or genre of the music is totally irrelevant. It’s the message of the lyrics that are most important and the kind of people who are behind the music. Do the musicians who create the music lead honorable and respectable lives? Do they honor God with their music, lyrics and lives?
If the message is directed towards positive things that are “true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable” and “about things that are excellent and worthy of praise,” then any music can be used for ministry, regardless of the style or genre (Philippians 4:8).
Therefore, just because the music is considered screamo, metalcore, heavy metal, country, folk, gospel, soul or punk, doesn’t mean that the lyrics cannot be directed towards serving others, in grief or in happiness. Just because the musicians wear studded belts, boots, leather, ripped jeans and have long hair doesn’t mean that they cannot lead godly and honorable lives. Just because the venues that the bands play are dirty, run down, secular and includes a mosh pit doesn’t mean that the musicians cannot pray for the audience before they go on stage, speak good things to the concert goers, tell others in personal conversation about the gospel after the show or be a witness for Christ to those fans who want to know why the band is not like the other bands.
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings (NIV).”
John 7:24 - “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
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