20 Feb 2025, 12:12Adina Lupu / SM CommunicationsGlasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland, United Kingdom
West Scotland Churches Gather for Music Ministry Training
This article covers a recent music ministry training workshop led by student missionary Allan Zukowski in Glasgow, bringing together musicians, singers, and worship leaders from across the west of Scotland.
With a passion for music and a commitment to sharing its power, student missionary Allan Zukowski led a music workshop on Sunday, February 9th, in Glasgow. Open to musicians, singers, and worship leaders from various churches across Scotland, the "Harmony in Worship" seminar aimed to deepen participants' understanding of worship, enhance their musical skills, and foster community among attendees.
Rooted in Psalm 98:1 — “Sing a new song to the Lord, for He has done wonderful deeds” — the training emphasised the importance of aligning music ministry with biblical principles, evangelism, and technical proficiency. Through theoretical discussions and practical sessions, Pr Zukowski highlighted that worship through music should transcend personal preference and consider the broader cultural and spiritual context.
Exploring the Role of Music in Worship
Pr Zukowski introduced various definitions of music, referencing the Oxford English Dictionary’s description of it as "the art or science of arranging sounds in time to produce a composition having unity and continuity, typically pleasing and expressive through melody, harmony, and rhythm." Musicologist Daniel Levitin was also cited, noting that music possesses an “innate ability to express emotions, even across different cultures.” Pr Zukowski himself described music as a unique form of communication that combines elements of sound and silence expressively.
Participants explored biblical examples of music’s role in worship, such as the Israelites’ song of deliverance in Exodus 15:1-21, Hannah’s prayer of praise in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, and the victory song in Judges 5:1-31. These passages served as foundations for discussing how music can be a powerful tool for spiritual expression and testimony.
Engaging Discussions and Practical Applications
One of the key discussions during the seminar focused on the use of music in worship services, especially in the presence of visitors unfamiliar with Christian traditions. Attendees were challenged to consider how music can be inclusive, ensuring it communicates a clear and uplifting message while respecting cultural diversity.
The hands-on session covered the essentials of leading worship in congregational settings. Practical topics included prayer, vocal and instrumental warm-ups, and tuning. Participants also received guidance on leading worship teams, coordinating with instrumentalists, and handling unexpected situations to maintain a seamless worship experience.
Feedback and Future Prospects
The workshop received highly positive feedback from attendees. Semone, a dedicated member of the Glasgow Praise Team and the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir, praised its clarity, historical and biblical insights, and exploration of culture in music, reaffirming her commitment to music ministry.
Similarly, Quinton, a youth leader from Paisley, highlighted its interactive and accessible approach, commending the passionate leadership and strong participant engagement. Both expressed confidence that future sessions would benefit even more musicians.
A Collaborative Effort
The event was supported by fellow student missionary Samuel Matheus, who focuses on social media development within the Scottish Mission. Alongside a member of the Glasgow Communication Team, he ensured the technical aspects ran smoothly. This collaboration highlighted the value of teamwork in church ministry, providing young people with opportunities to develop their skills and leadership potential.
Reflecting on the success of the seminar, Pr Zukowski remarked, “The positive feedback highlighted a strong interest in further training. While key topics were covered, many attendees expressed a desire to explore both theoretical and practical aspects in greater depth. Future sessions will build on this enthusiasm by offering more focused discussions and hands-on training to help worship teams grow and serve more effectively. The Music Ministry Training was more than just a learning experience – it was a powerful reminder of how music can unite, inspire, and bring people closer to God. As we look ahead to future opportunities, we are excited to continue this journey of growth, fellowship, and excellence in worship.”
As interest in music ministry training grows, churches across Scotland can anticipate more opportunities to refine their worship practices, strengthen their congregations, and sing new songs to the Lord in spirit and truth.
This article covers a recent music ministry training workshop led by student missionary Allan Zukowski in Glasgow, bringing together musicians, singers, and worship leaders from across the west of Scotland.
With a passion for music and a commitment to sharing its power, student missionary Allan Zukowski led a music workshop on Sunday, February 9th, in Glasgow. Open to musicians, singers, and worship leaders from various churches across Scotland, the "Harmony in Worship" seminar aimed to deepen participants' understanding of worship, enhance their musical skills, and foster community among attendees.
Rooted in Psalm 98:1 — “Sing a new song to the Lord, for He has done wonderful deeds” — the training emphasised the importance of aligning music ministry with biblical principles, evangelism, and technical proficiency. Through theoretical discussions and practical sessions, Pr Zukowski highlighted that worship through music should transcend personal preference and consider the broader cultural and spiritual context.
Exploring the Role of Music in Worship
Pr Zukowski introduced various definitions of music, referencing the Oxford English Dictionary’s description of it as "the art or science of arranging sounds in time to produce a composition having unity and continuity, typically pleasing and expressive through melody, harmony, and rhythm." Musicologist Daniel Levitin was also cited, noting that music possesses an “innate ability to express emotions, even across different cultures.” Pr Zukowski himself described music as a unique form of communication that combines elements of sound and silence expressively.
Participants explored biblical examples of music’s role in worship, such as the Israelites’ song of deliverance in Exodus 15:1-21, Hannah’s prayer of praise in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, and the victory song in Judges 5:1-31. These passages served as foundations for discussing how music can be a powerful tool for spiritual expression and testimony.
Engaging Discussions and Practical Applications
One of the key discussions during the seminar focused on the use of music in worship services, especially in the presence of visitors unfamiliar with Christian traditions. Attendees were challenged to consider how music can be inclusive, ensuring it communicates a clear and uplifting message while respecting cultural diversity.
The hands-on session covered the essentials of leading worship in congregational settings. Practical topics included prayer, vocal and instrumental warm-ups, and tuning. Participants also received guidance on leading worship teams, coordinating with instrumentalists, and handling unexpected situations to maintain a seamless worship experience.
Feedback and Future Prospects
The workshop received highly positive feedback from attendees. Semone, a dedicated member of the Glasgow Praise Team and the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir, praised its clarity, historical and biblical insights, and exploration of culture in music, reaffirming her commitment to music ministry.
Similarly, Quinton, a youth leader from Paisley, highlighted its interactive and accessible approach, commending the passionate leadership and strong participant engagement. Both expressed confidence that future sessions would benefit even more musicians.
A Collaborative Effort
The event was supported by fellow student missionary Samuel Matheus, who focuses on social media development within the Scottish Mission. Alongside a member of the Glasgow Communication Team, he ensured the technical aspects ran smoothly. This collaboration highlighted the value of teamwork in church ministry, providing young people with opportunities to develop their skills and leadership potential.
Reflecting on the success of the seminar, Pr Zukowski remarked, “The positive feedback highlighted a strong interest in further training. While key topics were covered, many attendees expressed a desire to explore both theoretical and practical aspects in greater depth. Future sessions will build on this enthusiasm by offering more focused discussions and hands-on training to help worship teams grow and serve more effectively. The Music Ministry Training was more than just a learning experience – it was a powerful reminder of how music can unite, inspire, and bring people closer to God. As we look ahead to future opportunities, we are excited to continue this journey of growth, fellowship, and excellence in worship.”
As interest in music ministry training grows, churches across Scotland can anticipate more opportunities to refine their worship practices, strengthen their congregations, and sing new songs to the Lord in spirit and truth.
