I am the project: Summer of music missions

For this past month I have been what is starting to be coined as a "musicianary" or a music missionary. I tend to get turned off when people feel the need to name a new movement or fad. Labels and terms will always be created for "new" things or "movements". It's our nature to put a name on it, package it, and present it in the most palitable way possible. And when it comes to the American Church, this is definitely the best term to be used. Part of me has no problem with our human need to name this "movement" of musicians-who-are-missionaries. People need to be led, we need something to follow, something to hold onto as we navigate the journey of life. But on the other hand, it completely drives me crazy! I see over and over again history repeating itself in that we create a fad of following Christ instead of just following Christ. It leads us to believe that a big tent revival, a sunday morning service, a church concert, a missions trip, are the things that really serve Christ - that truly matter. So where does this leave the millions of others that live normal everyday lives? People who work in an office, work in the factory, have an acting career, a music career, are housewives, Lawyers, Doctors, Dentists. Does this leave them exempt from living a life that glorifies God because they are not an official "ministry"?

I wrestled with these questions for months before I left, as the american church deemed me a "missionary"(which i do realize i actually am this summer). I had issues with not wanting to be viewed as a missionary because I have felt that my music is becoming my career.  I felt awkward and looked down on because of this pursuit. As a follower of Christ and a musician I feel that I'm expected to fall into one of these categories: A) Sing worship songs and hopefully have a heart to lead the local church in worship or B) sing "christian music" and entertain christians in the local church. I Have no issue with either of these things. In fact I have done both. The issue is that  my heart isnt in those things. It's not where my passion is and most of all is not where God has me.  I didnt want to tell the church I needed support as a missionary when I am pursuing a music career. I felt like telling the church I was a missionary would be lying to them and I'm not ok with that. My whole philosophy for some time now has been living a life that glorifies Christ without having to have a "ministry". Why do I have to be a pastor, or a worship leader, or a missionary for me to serve God?  If I had become a plumber, or a dentist would I be expected to live less like a follower of Christ? Would I be held to a lesser standard? Would I be expected to call myself a "dental missionary" so that everyone could know what I stood for? It just seems silly doesnt it? He's a dentist. We need dentists. Whether he is a follower of Christ or not I'm still going to go see him when my teeth hurt.  As a matter of fact isnt it in the daily ins and out of life that really make the difference in people lives? The way people see us at our jobs? While we drive?  How we treat our family? How we treat our waitress? If im obedient. If I truly follow Christ. This is where it will show. This is where others will see it - in the real, dirty, messy parts of life.