For T: Soli Deo Gloria

What an absolutely wonderful weekend this is turning out to be -- wonderful and heartwrenching.  This weekend, in my church family, is all about T.  


This weekend we celebrate Thomas Coker's 25 years in ministry at South Main Baptist Church and 50 years in ministry.  That is the wonderfulness of it all.  Then he retires.  That is the heartwrenching part.  


The celebration has been true to South Main's longstanding tradition of doing things well, in excellence, decently  and in order.  Earlier this afternoon we had a concert featuring just about all of our music ministry, and including participation by returning "alumni."  What a joyous time we had.  The music in all respects was top notch, from our kindergarten group to, well, our more seasoned members.  


Let's digress for a moment, for just a little "TC" background:  Thomas has pursued an excellence in music at South Main Baptist that sets our music ministry apart from what people normally expect of a church choir.  We have done (and done well) sacred works like King David, Elijah, Messiah, Requiem (Brahms & Rutter), Mass in G (V. Williams) and more; and we have done (and, again, done well) Broadway shows, including Hello Dolly, The Wizard of Oz, Man of LaMancha, Into the Woods, and even more.  It is difficult for someone who thinks she has a decently-rounded background to be hit in the face with "stuff I've never even thought about doing."  He has had to drag this writer out of her box, sometimes kicking and screaming.  Often inwardly questioning his song selection, she was reminded of telling the choirs she directed, It's not about what you want or even like, it's about helping worshipers make a connection to God, reinforcing the theme of worship through music.  Being whipped by the sermon she had so often preached to others, she had to swallow hard, dig in, and yield to T's directions.  In learning that song, whichever one, she learned to love what she had previously professed to loathe.


Near the end of the concert, Pastor Steve Wells asked us to show our appreciation for Thomas, and there erupted a standing ovation like none I had ever witnessed!  Thomas, in the style of a true minister, would not, could not take a bow.  Obviously moved by this outpouring of  love and appreciation, he stood with right hand over heart.  It seemed that he may have even been a bit uncomfortable by the demonstration.  At one point he raised his hands, both index fingers pointing upward.  Had we been at a baseball, football or basketball game, the raised fingers would most likely be followed by a chant:  WE'RE NUMBER ONE!  WE'RE NUMBER ONE!  


Not so in the instant case.  When I saw the ascending fingers, I knew instantaneously Thomas was thinking soli deo gloria -- to God alone be the glory.   Soli deo gloria has been T's tagline since before I knew him.  And from my observations, it is the way he has lived his life of ministry.  Time and again, whether Bach to Broadway or King David or Elijah or My Eternal King -- going over and over . . .  and over and over . . . and over . . . whatever section of music, pesky phrase, or that single vowel that is just not right . . . over and over . . . it was not about getting it just right to justify it being dubbed excellent, but getting in just right to give glory and honor to God by giving Him our very best.  


T's got things in proper perspective:  God gave us His very best, and we should give Him no less.


Thank you, Thomas, for knowing, and showing the real importance of music ministry done well.


Soli deo gloria. 
To God -- and God alone -- be the glory.