Give to everyone what you owe them . . . if honor, then honor.

Romans 13:7

  God is honored in an atmosphere of honor. Here are five values that honor God in the music ministry by honoring certain people who’ve exemplified these values in their lives. Mentoring Humility honors God. It is important to be open to the correction and encouragement of a mature Christian in your ministry. Get mentored and also be a mentor. If you find it hard to be a mentor, I encourage you to ask God to give you a vision for the people in your team. When He does, mentoring will come naturally. Leadership honors God, too. It takes a good leader to see the potential and gifts of others. Rejoice in the strength of the people you’re mentoring, and help launch them to their calling and destiny. God is honored when you share all you’ve learned, while believing that He wants to move in and through others as well. Unity Unity honors God. I realize that I’m a part of something much bigger and I have to be mindful and responsible to do my part. One of my favorite things about unity is getting to see God’s grace abound as people in the ministry learn to overlook offenses or consider others better than themselves. Unity is a beautiful thing because you see everybody letting go of their selfish ambition and really submit to God’s will and what’s best for His Kingdom. God wants His ministry united in direction and in devotion. Stewardship If you are a singer, a musician, or a writer, you are accountable for the things God has given you to steward. Invest in getting better at your craft. Practice! Get lessons! Be a good steward, for this honors God. Integrity This, I learned the most from my kuya Koji. He was the same person on-stage, off-stage, and at home. Integrity means living a whole life. We should not live a double life. Integrity follows the mindset that wherever you are, you are in God’s presence—so live as one who is in His presence. When you invite people to worship with you on stage that should automatically mean that that’s what you do when you’re off stage and at home. Compassion God is honored not only when we seek His heart, but as we reflect His heart while we do ministry. We don’t have to leave our respective volunteer ministries to make disciples. On a personal note, my ministry in discipleship will always come before my ministry in music. Singing with them from the stage is wonderful but there is nothing like seeing God’s grace and transformation in these people’s lives close up. Don’t forget that music is a ministry for this purpose! Every time someone gets saved, the knowledge that heaven is rejoicing with me adds fuel to my passion to serve in the music ministry.   Singer/songwriter Sarah Bulahan leads a Victory group and serves in the music ministry of Victory Quezon City.