Pianist. Not enough pianists is horrible. Calling all pianists! Big and small pianist! Oh dear… I am beginning to sound like my father. That was one of his jokes.

Very true about avoiding it. Its an act I’ve avoided too. But be happy you are able to use this amazing gift. I know many people over the years who have been singers/musicians and when they came out their lives changed so much they lost the gift. I suppose they ignored it because it reminded them of church too much.

That is forcing people to worship. But leading people into worship is another thing altogether. Encouraging people to sing or to do what they are comfortable in is true leading. We had a church where most people would sit and not sing, never did we make them get up and sing. And in the end they are the people who would come to you and say God moved when we sang or I felt we missed what God was saying. In some churches people would ignore those types of people but we are all different and all worship in different ways. The best part about worshiping with others is we all are different and to come together for one cause to worship the almighty is amazing.

I have a different story to tell.

Since I came out to my church. God has used me in the role of taking worship

Ihave been asked many times by the eldership to lead worship.

It is only of God that I am where I am now. He has freed me from my fears.

It is only through unconditional love that I am where I am now

I know that feeling- it’s a difficult one. I’ve played Piano, organ, been part of worship bands, and occasionally led worship for all but about 3 of the past 35 years. It’s an awesome (in the old fashioned sense of the word!) responsibility.

My former wife was attracted to me by the sensitivity of my playing.

Where there is a need I think we who have the skills have some responsibility to help to lead God’s people in worship. I’m doing that now in a church that I am not particularly committed to.

I believe that there are many many people in our churches who have a sensitivity to spiritual things and worship……..and have creative gifts…….and are gay. It would be interesting to actually do a study of that. I know of so many who were involved in music/creative/worship ministries but had to leave churches as they couldn’t be themselves or had the belief that they had to choose honesty about their sexual orientation or using their gifts in the church.

lets hope and pray that this year we see a breakthrough in this area……with gay and lesbian people living openly serving God and the church with their gifts.