Question:
This is a complex story that I would rather make short. I've been working at my church for the past couple years, leading sr. high, and now solely jr. high youth group. I lead worship there. I play many Sundays for church, if not lead. The jr. high position pays very little, and I am otherwise job-less. Thus, I have been seeking out employment in addition to my job at church. My search has been seemingly useless. Beyond that, every single job I can think of applying to seems so unrewarding, fruitless, uninteresting, etc etc. I feel like I would accomplish nothing doing the jobs I have been applying to. And I am not getting hired.

Over the past couple months, the youth pastor Eric (whom I work with) has been nagging on me, telling me (half-jokingly) that I must at once enter the work force as a worship leader (worship pastor, whatever). I guess there is some sort of database in the BGC for churches looking for worship leaders (with paying positions). He wants me to do that, specifically find a church that is willing to work with a young adult (I'm 20) while he attends seminary (or whatever classes they would require), and lead worship at that church. (That was difficult to word, sorry if it didn't make sense.

My passion has always been for music. I love leading God's children into an intimate time with Him, I love seeing His people giving Him praise. I'm blessed and humbled to be a part of that.

But for so long my dreams have been to be in a band. As in, a touring band, playing in venues, etc. I have just finally gotten a solid 3 piece (possibly 4) together and we have been doing shows. My first (quality) demo cd is being duplicated, and coming back to me in about a week. It feels like maybe those dreams are beginning to come true.

But have I been mis-interepreting God and His calling? Sometimes I feel so distraught over music as a career, because it moves so slowly. Is He possibly calling me to something different, like a position as a worship leader? I know you guys don't have any solid answer to these questions, I am just emptying my head.

I desire so much for my dreams to come true. I just wonder if maybe I've got the wrong idea. I want to be in line with God's will. But so often it's so hard to tell. I don't ever hear an audible voice (most people don't). I know God speaks through people, and I wonder if this may be one of those instances. I don't claim to be able to understand God, but I would like to understand what He wants of me right now.

Maybe all I am looking for is prayer, and possibly some wise words. I'm only 20. Can I make a living off of leading God's people in worship? I don't feel worthy to be up in front anyway, much less to make a living off of it. But my bank account is lowering ever so slowly, and I wonder what change He has in store. I am so unsure sometimes. It scares me that my greatest dreams might not be fulfilled, because He might have other plans. Does this jive with you guys? I'm still not sure what I'm looking for... I know God is the only one who has the answer. Maybe I am just emptying my head. That wasn't short at all.

Josh.
Answer:
I think one of the biggest misconceptions we can make is to assume that something might not be, or probably isn't from God simply because it would be enjoyable/fun/pleasing/fulfilling to do. Perhaps God is simply trying to build patience in you? It sounds like your heart is in the right place, but of course I don't know you and am only gathering that from what I'm reading in this solitary post. Regardless, it sounds like you're seeking to be led by God and to be used by him. It also sounds like the pieces are beginning to fit together for you - piece by piece - albeit, slower than you'd prefer.
I'm much like you in the sense that I absolutely love being a part of a worship team, whether that means actually leading the worship, or simply supporting it on a guitar. I also have had a very strong desire to be a member of a band - one that tours around and ministers to people (both saved and unsaved). Whether that dream of mine will ever become a reality, I have no clue. Currently I'm leading worship for our college group, but that's seeming more and more fruitless due to both the lack of rock-solid leadership on the part of my pastor, and to the almost complete lack of musicians who have any real degree of skill or proficiency on their instruments. Regardless, I'm holding on to that desire (that I am believing was given to me by God), seeking to better myself more and more on the guitar and piano in preparation for those times, and learning to be patient.
What my vision of what the fulfillment of this "calling" looks like could vary pretty drastically from what GOD'S vision of the fulfillment of this "calling" looks like as well.
I'd say, don't be afraid to take steps to put some bucks back into your bank account through another job, but continually be sensitive to not locking yourself into something that will prevent you from pulling up your tent-stakes quickly in order to follow God's leading, at the "drop of a hat", so to speak.
Just my $.02.
Answer:
As far as the balance between church worship leader/touring band, the David Crowder Band tours a ton and still leads worship at their home church something like 35 weeks a year.
Many churches have worship leaders who do extensive touring/recording.
Point being, you can get a solid job working for a church and still pursue those other dreams as well.
Answer:
Here is a great thread we had a few months ago on the subject of call. The circumstances may be different, but the truths apply, I think.