Part of every VIP Tour is a daily devotional (AKA: "dee-vo"), led by Juniors/Seniors. It's a special time on Tour, and one of the elements that matter most to the VIPs.
Senior Elizabeth Bennett (a 7-year member of VIP) is leading one of the devotionals. She emailed me the following passage that I wanted to share with you. I was proud to read her work, honored to call her a VIP, and amazed at who this young woman has become. Thank you, Elizabeth, for letting me share this with others!
1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
This is my seventh year in VIP and my fourth choir tour. I’ve lasted through the tears, sweat, and pain of being a VIP and the pure joy and happiness it brings. I’ve been to every possible venue setting and have seen it all: the glares, the smiles, the dancing, the cat calls. You name a reaction an audience member could give a church choir and I’ve experienced it. Sometimes it’s not always easy to sing on the streets and get confounded looks or sing in a prison and receive glares from the inmates. It’s difficult to keep that smiling face when you know the people you’re singing to don’t want to be there and don’t want to listen to what you have to say.
But this is why we’re Voices In Praise. There’s a reason why this choir has built up such a great ministry and there’s a reason why we sing in these places. God has a plan for us that we have to carry out. We are the shepherds that guide the flock. God wants us to serve him and pass his word unto others, and to do so, we must be eager to serve. So, when you sing to an audience, put on a smile and let His light shine through you. We may not always get the reaction we expect, but with a little faith, we just might be the example that flock needs.
Questions for VIP discussion:
1.) As a VIP, what do you think it means to be a shepherd of God’s flock?
2.) What can you do to be the example the flock needs?
3.) We all have reasons why we’re in this choir: the forceful parent, the love of singing, or even because of a friend. There’s a reason why we’ve all met and sing together to shine the light of God. Why do you minister with VIP?
Senior Elizabeth Bennett (a 7-year member of VIP) is leading one of the devotionals. She emailed me the following passage that I wanted to share with you. I was proud to read her work, honored to call her a VIP, and amazed at who this young woman has become. Thank you, Elizabeth, for letting me share this with others!
1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
This is my seventh year in VIP and my fourth choir tour. I’ve lasted through the tears, sweat, and pain of being a VIP and the pure joy and happiness it brings. I’ve been to every possible venue setting and have seen it all: the glares, the smiles, the dancing, the cat calls. You name a reaction an audience member could give a church choir and I’ve experienced it. Sometimes it’s not always easy to sing on the streets and get confounded looks or sing in a prison and receive glares from the inmates. It’s difficult to keep that smiling face when you know the people you’re singing to don’t want to be there and don’t want to listen to what you have to say.
But this is why we’re Voices In Praise. There’s a reason why this choir has built up such a great ministry and there’s a reason why we sing in these places. God has a plan for us that we have to carry out. We are the shepherds that guide the flock. God wants us to serve him and pass his word unto others, and to do so, we must be eager to serve. So, when you sing to an audience, put on a smile and let His light shine through you. We may not always get the reaction we expect, but with a little faith, we just might be the example that flock needs.
Questions for VIP discussion:
1.) As a VIP, what do you think it means to be a shepherd of God’s flock?
2.) What can you do to be the example the flock needs?
3.) We all have reasons why we’re in this choir: the forceful parent, the love of singing, or even because of a friend. There’s a reason why we’ve all met and sing together to shine the light of God. Why do you minister with VIP?