Paul wrote on his blog about being expendible as a worship leader. It got me thinking about my goals as a “Director of Worship”, versus the reality that I am currently experiencing.
Ideally, my goal in being a director of worship is to become expendible. A big part of me doesn’t really care about being “the guy” up in front every Sunday. Yes, I enjoy it. Like any musician, I enjoy performing (more on that later). But I’d much rather facilitate the gifts of others in the congregation. I’d like to use my training and abilities in a pastoral fashion to help members of the church bless their fellow congregants with their gifts. If that means that I end up not playing and singing on a regular basis, so much the better!
So, that’s my goal. But that’s not my reality at the church I’m at. Where I am, I’m struggling to have a backing piano player (a necessity for a church that LOVES traditional hymns out of good ol’ Trinity), much less have a larger team of musicians and up-and-coming leaders. It’s actually quite frustrating, as it’s hard to believe that there are really that few people with gifts in the church. I’ve even recieved multiple comments from people in the congregation wanting to know why there aren’t more people playing with me. As very few people have come forward to let me know of their interest, I’m being forced into the awkward place of holding open auditions. Auditions – especially in a church context – is one of those things that sounds like a great idea to anyone who’s never done it. In reality, they normally turn into 4 or 5 people of moderate to poor talent coming forward. This places the auditioner in the awkward place of having to tell the person that their talents are not at a place to be readily used. But that’s not the most awkward part. After you announce auditions, people expect to see a change. People expect to see others assisting with worship, and when they aren’t there, more questions come up of people wanting to know “why?”.
Really, I’d love to be expendible as a worship leader. Unfortunately, that’s not my current station.
Ever wonder if the church’s expectations of its music quality are a little too high? I’m thinking of the American Church in general. It seems to me there might be a slight expectation of our ability to entertain as well as lead in worship.
Hey there. I used to play up front and sing for PRPCA. We’ve met–once, I think. I was saved at that church when I was 16… and I’d been going there since I was 15. I’m 23 now. The music has ALWAYS been how-you-say “not so hot.” However, I do believe that the members of the congregation enjoy music and would like to sing and hear bongos and bass guitar and all of that. Because they have heard all of those things. One time, during our Christmas Dinner, I played the trumpet (poorly) along with one of the young homeschoolers and a middle-aged flute player. There is a little bit of talent and a whole lot of good intentions at that church.
I love those people so much. I love that church so much. And I went to the music magnet high school and majored in music for a little while in college… and I just had to deal with the fact that the church I loved so much lacked in the musical area. But they’re really trying. They see the need for improvement, which is why they hired you, I would imagine. There are some gifted musicians at PRPCA. They’ve played for the youth group through my high school and college years. Dave didn’t know how to play… so the youth and college students had to do it.
I think you should look in the youth group for musicians. And if you’re willing, I would certainly come sing up front whenever I’m in town, to help out. Even if that sounds kinda strange, or arrogant, that’s not how I mean it.
I am seriously considering moving back to Orlando in January. If so, I’d come to PRPCA again and I’d fill whatever spot you’d let me fill, in the music ministry.