SPEAR2Lead 2020 Summer Summer Series Passions & Purpose : Music and Ministry Saturday Spotlight

The fourth week of the SPEAR2Lead 2020 Summer Summer Series Passions & Purpose is a spotlight on Music and Ministry. SPEAR2Lead is joined by Saturday Spotlight Speakers and Blog Contributors Ashley Heard and Ocie S Banks.

Ashley Heard is a Choral/General Music Educator and is Ocie S. Banks is CEO/Vocal Coach. Their biographies will be shared along with their views and experiences of working in the Music and Ministry industry. There will also be an exploration of their thoughts as it relates to passions, purpose, and professionalism. Lastly, we will get a glimpse into their perspectives when it comes to success and a focus on key concepts and terms that are important in their line of work.  

Meet Ashley Heard 

Meet Ocie S. Banks

 Music is universal, it connects communities, cultures, and countries by creating common ground for expression, creativity, and shared experience. Music is defined as ” vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion. ” Ministry is the ” activity and responsibility of the local church in the fulfillment of its biblically defined mandate in the world. ” Music and ministry together allow people to be empowered, remain hopeful, stay uplifted, and get through difficult circumstances. SPEAR2Lead wanted to share the story and journey of two remarkable and inspiring professionals in the public and ministry service industry.  The work that they do serve so many and does not go unnoticed. Together, we will learn more about their passions, personal purpose, the work that they do, and how they are changing the world in their own rights. We hope you are excited to learn more about these wonderful educators, through exploring starting with passions, then purposes to professionalism and success.

Passions

Passions are what fuel a person; they help each of us to strive, they are the soft skills that make each person unique.  Passions are important and they help inform the decisions that people make. Ms. Heard and Mr.Banks parallel their personal positions and professional passions.

Ms. Heard notes ” In my teaching profession, I am passionate about helping my students, whether that is bringing joy to their day or helping them achieve a huge or seemingly impossible task in their education. My hope is that when they see themselves accomplish huge or seemingly impossible tasks in school (whether that is preparing for a musical or grasping a difficult music concept) they can have confidence in facing and overcoming future huge and seemingly impossible circumstances in their lives. In ministry, my goal is to always point people to Jesus in how I serve and love others.” 

Mr. Banks indicates ” I am passionate about the voice and vocal health. I believe that the voice is a gift from God; therefore, we have a responsibility to steward well over it.”

Purpose 

A person’s purpose is personal, it is your why, your reason, and what helps guide the path each person takes. Ms. Heard shares “I would define purpose as what you are created to do on this earth. We all have God-given gifts and talents to share and responsibilities entrusted to our care. Often times, we search for the over-arching big “P” purpose of our lives but fail to recognize and appreciate the times in life where we have seasonal purposes or day-to-day purposes. All are important.”

Mr. Banks speaks to the topic of purpose in saying ” Purpose is what you were born to do. It is the thing that you are called to. As Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson, III says, “Great men and women are born for the time that they are needed the most.” We all have purpose and were born to change the world during a specific time and space in history. As my pastor Apostle Yolanda Stith says, “Whatever makes you weep is what you are called to.” That is your purpose. The word has many problems, but you were born to be solution.”

Professional & Professionalism 

What it means to be a professional and to demonstrate professionalism looks different to everyone .

Ms. Heard provides her perspective on the subject of professionalism saying “To me, being professional means that I am carrying myself in a respectful and courteous manner in the workplace or marketplace. This also means that I am communicating well in my area of expertise. I am knowledgeable about my field and craft.

Mr.Banks chimes in on the subject of professionalism with “ Being a professional, is doing your job with excellence, whether that is in ministry or in the classroom. Professionalism looks like giving your best effort in all that you do, from how you interact with others to the quality of your work.

Success

Success is not a one-size-fits-all commodity. Each person has their individual goals, visions, dreams, hopes, ambitions, and aspirations. SPEAR2Lead understands the value of personal and professional success and wants to change the connotation of success.

Ms. Heard describes and defines success as ” I would define success as doing the best you can with whatever assignment you have been given.”

Mr. Banks states ” Success is accomplishing goals and completing tasks. If you are making progress, you are achieving success.”

Words to anyone interested in the Music & Ministry Industry 

When passions are combined with purpose and practiced in the profession it is the perfect combination. Willingness, Humility, Training, and Commitment are key attributes to keep in mind when pursuing a Music and Ministry related profession or career. 

The video to watch the SPEAR2Lead 2020 Summer Stories Series: Music & Ministry Saturday Spotlight with Ashley Heard and Ocie S Banks moderated by Ms. ODA is forthcoming, stay tuned!