Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary
Subject: MM 351 Introduction to Church Music
Professors: Jimmy M. Laquian
Student: Sein Thein
Assignments: Interview to Church minister or Music minister
Date: July 13rd, 2007
Sein Thein: What is your Church involvement?
Moses Lalrohlua Sailo: I have been directing five choirs so far as we moved to different places and attended different churches. In the last Church that I attended, I was a musician as well as choir director and song leader in our Church. I was also one of the appointed Church deacons. Besides involving in the music ministry, I also preached sermons from time to time and on Sundays I taught in one of the Sunday school classes. I was also the President of the Youth Fellowship for 2 years. At present, I am acting as a music director in a Church here in
Sein Thein: What are your visions as music minister?
Moses Lalrohlua Sailo: I have three visions as music minister. Firstly, I always wanted to have a lively and wonderful time of worship through singing during the worship service and I am trying my best to improve the quality of singing musically as well as spiritually. Secondly, I also dreamt of having a good choir that will bless the Church and its congregation with songs that are sung with enthusiasm and spiritual motives. Thirdly, I want to give my best effort to help young people who are involved in music ministries so that they will be equipped and trained spiritually and musically in rendering their service for Christ and the Church and further, for the work of evangelism. The Church is also planning to establish a school of music where I am assigned to work there.
Sein Thein: What are your commitments towards your vision for the church?
Moses Lalrohlua Sailo: I have been thinking that at the moment the best thing for me is to equip myself better musically and spiritually in order to fulfill my visions for the Church. That is why I come here to learn and experience more about music ministries in spite of all the difficulties.
Sein thein: What is worship according to you?
Moses Lalrohlua Sailo: The term ‘Worship’ can mean a lot of things. In a broad way, worship involves everything that we do to please God. Every activity of our life can be ‘worship’ if we do it for the glory of God. It is not just about praising God through songs. We must praise and worship him with our lives, and not just with our mouth. That may involve obedience, holiness, faithfulness, trustworthiness, honesty, perseverance, etc.
Sein Thein: What is the importance of worship in your life?
Moses Lalrohlua Sailo: Worship is really important for me because it is about bringing pleasure to God. If I live a righteous life by obeying and live according to God’s will in order to please Him, it would mean ‘life’ and true happiness to me. But on the other hand, if I live against his will, that would mean ‘death’ to me. Therefore, my motive always has to be to please God.
Sein Thein: What do you think about how we should worship?
Moses Lalrohlua Sailo: The Bible says in John 4:23 that God is spirit and his worshippers must worship him in truth and spirit and that God is looking for true worshippers. Therefore, any act of worship must be done in truth and in spirit. It must be for the purpose of God’s glory and to bring pleasure to him. If we worship just for our pleasure, God will not accept our worship at all. We must give him all our heart as we worship him.
Sein Thein: How is your relationship with other staffs?
Moses Lalrohlua Sailo: So far so good. By the grace of God, I have been able to overcome the little indifference that we have so far without much trouble.
Sein Thein: How do you encourage and inspire the congregation and colleagues to worship and minister?
Moses Lalrohlua Sailo: This may be a long step and a little complicated. The first thing is to pray for them privately and individually. I also let them know the importance and effectiveness of prayer in every field of ministries. The next step that I take is to express words of encouragement and inspiration as often as I can. I know that it is my responsibility to remind them of the importance of worship as a Christian. Thirdly, I am trying my best to set an example for the congregation and my colleagues in living a life of Christian faith. Lastly, I taught them music as much as I can and give them training on various music ministries.
Sein Thein: Thank you for your co-operations.
Moses Lalrohlua Sailo: You are welcome!
Sein Thein: God bess you!!!
