Question:
This concerns that fine line of being a musician, and being a Christian. Apparantly, there's one there.
I've been a musician for over 20 years. Played in countless bands, did tours, did CD's, did studio work, so yes....I love music, and I have a strong work ethic when I pick up my instrument, or when I'm putting together song arrangements and practicing for a worship service.
I've been a Christian for about 4 years. I gave up the "music business" and dedicated my gift of music to God and the church. Anytime I pick up my guitar, it's for worship. Music ministry is a powerful tool, and I approach it with complete dedication.
A new worship leader has taken over the team, a pastor at that, and because of my focus on the band playing the right chords, and vocals singing correct harmonies, I have been accused of being a "performer" and not having a heart of worship. This is devastating to me, and is now casting doubt in all that I've been doing.
Now I know you don't know me from Adam, and I'm not asking for you to take sides, but maybe you guys can help clarify this for me.
What is this line between being a musician and being a Christian ? Why should this "line" even exist ? Why can't you be both, and not one be a threat to the other ? It just doesn't make sense to me, and any input you guys can toss me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks all,
DD
Answer:
I think if you asked Matt Redman, the writer of the heart of worship, if he thought that playing the right chords and singing the right melodies was important, I think he WOULD AGREE with you.
If we're coming before God with something less than our best, is it really worth bringing to him?
This is something I struggled with too, because I used to be much like your worship pastor. I would not like spending the time on the musicianship because I felt it was just a big performance. However, when I discussed with a fellow worship leader about it, he pointed out that God is glorified not just through the words, or through the songs, but by our attitude. He wants us to bring our best, our excellence. Isn't He worthy of that?
I hope that helps. talk to you soon
patrick.
Answer:
A perspective on this issue that has helped me a lot can be found in Rory Noland's book The Heart of the Artist in the "Excellence versus Perfectionism" chapter.
He talks about Biblical examples of giving God our best, citing passages such as:
2 Samuel 24: David refuses to build the the altar with donated materials because those would be "gifts that cost me nothing." David didn't want to give God something that he didn't put any effort into.
Malachi 1: God rebukes Israel for bringing offerings that are not their best.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
With those things in mind, I would be careful about how you go about the business of training your musicians/vocalists. I have had experience with leaders who were abrasive and carried a certain "attitude" about them when giving direction. There are leaders who are too "soft" to stop a song in the middle of rehearsal and take the time to find the trouble-causing part and work on it in earnest. Working on a piece of music is sometimes a personally trying time - especially if it's only one musician or vocalist who's "messing up" the part. They feel like they're on the spot.
I guess I'd recommend talking to this new guy a bit about specific dynamics/issues that take place during practices or services and offer the "excellence" point of view, tempered by compassion for the human spirit. See what the response is...
Nate
Answer:
Oddly enough, in Scripture, the "best" a person had to give was rarely all that valuable... I think of the widow and the two mites, for example, among others. What's important is that it's the best a person has to give, and not necessarily that it's spot on musically.
That said, I do believe we have a responsibility (as Psalms 33 says) to "play skillfully," and that anyone involved in music ministry in any way should strive to continually become a better musician. However, even the best musicians make tons of mistakes, so be forgiving.
Answer:
I recently had this discussion with a friend, about some of his friends who are the band Nickel Creek. Sara, Chris and Sean are all outstanding musicians who have been playing with each other for close to 15 years or so (give or take a couple of years), and all christians. Our debate was born out of the question, can a christian be cool? We took coolness as a concept defined by the worlds eyes, therefore we can't be truly cool, as there is a line whereby christians should feel compelled not to follow, whether it be not to go out to a particular place, drink/smoke/inject this, wear that, etc.
The discussion turned to musical excellence, modelled by Chris Thile, and we agreed that as a Christian, a certain level of musical excellence could be detrimental to a spiritual walk, since in the case of Chris, he wakes up and picks up his mandolin and begins to play, the first thing he does. Therefore, his service of God is comprimised because he *probably* doesn't think of God first thing. Some of the other guys from NC have talked a lot about the immense challenge to their faith their musicianship has been. Its a case of two masters, at least in theirs anyway.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't as musicians be excellent in our service of God in the leadership of worship, but there is a line where the worship is transfered from God to the playing of our instrument. I guess I always thing about like this. If God asked me to give up guitar playing to do something else, how gutted would I be. If i'm really gutted, I'm holding my guitar playing in too high esteem, whereas I feel that really God has called me to go and do something else which I should be thrilled at.
As for the heart of worship part, I feel that it is unfair to challenge your heart for loving God and expressing that through music just because you're very talented in your instrument. I mean, its not like someone would get criticised for being a very good accountant and doing the accounts and business of the church. As long as the heart for God is prevalant over all the work you do, and the discernment of the spirit is there, then the business practice will be fine.
Answer:
I have had these thoughts too, although not a leader in the sunday worship, I do lead the youth and I have somewhat-OCD so I like everything to be perfect, but thats not a reality.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Nate Oddly enough, in Scripture, the "best" a person had to give was rarely all that valuable... I think of the widow and the two mites, for example, among others. What's important is that it's the best a person has to give, and not necessarily that it's spot on musically.
I think I basically typed my post assuming that this was what "Giving God our best" meant - did I miscommunicate?
If you're not spending some time in practice/rehearsal trying to make things more "spot on" musically (all the while keeping compassion in mind), what would you do in rehearsal? Giving our best (for musicians) is generally going to look like continual improvement in musical skill and the execution of those skills. Now, if you're making your vocalists cry at night because they're having nightmares about your tirades in practice, then maybe its time to think of what giving ones best as a leader means...
Nate
Answer:
Originally Posted by nate95366 I think I basically typed my post assuming that this was what "Giving God our best" meant - did I miscommunicate?
No, I think I did. I wasn't really replying to your post at all, but using something you said to make a further point along the lines of the overall topic of the thread.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Nate Oddly enough, in Scripture, the "best" a person had to give was rarely all that valuable... I think of the widow and the two mites, for example, among others. What's important is that it's the best a person has to give, and not necessarily that it's spot on musically.
That said, I do believe we have a responsibility (as Psalms 33 says) to "play skillfully," and that anyone involved in music ministry in any way should strive to continually become a better musician. However, even the best musicians make tons of mistakes, so be forgiving.
Amen. And if I could add to the thought...the "best" that one has to give, while maybe not being all that valuable in a grand scheme of comparitive things, was probably VERY valuable (or costly) to the one who has given it.
Answer:
I understand This argument all too well. It takes place within me alot! I find myself often wondering if what I am doing, is for me or for God and at those time I am forced to check myself to make certain. I know it is not about me. It is about Him. When it comes to people making vain assumptions I had a doozy. I had a youth pastor tell me people were leaving the church because of my playing and that I needed guitar lessons. Needless to say I was a little more than upset by this. In fact I ended up leaving that church for about 3 months. Now why am I saying all of this? So I can level with ya. I understand your want to give the best and I admire it! Only you can know if what you do is for God or to perform. That is between you and God. One person can not make that sort of assumption on another unless they are Hearing from God. But when presented with that the first thing is to check yourself. Even though you dont wanna believe it. I have no doubt you have probably been doing this since everything happened. The second thing is dont be discouraged. To Quote Tom Hanks in 'A league of their own', "(Baseball)If it were easy everyone would do it!" Not everyone can be a worship musician it aint easy we know that. If it were easy everyone and thier sister would have instruments at the church. You have a gift! You have chosen to Use it for the King of Glory. Is there about that that is discouraging! The true audience is not the congregation. It is the Audience of One and to not give Him the best would be wrong. I mean when you toured and all, did you go and do a concert half way. Of course not you went in prepared. How much more should we prepare for God.
Answer:
I've experienced a similar sitution these past 12 months. My armchair quarterback analysis offers the following:
1) Schedule some time with the worship pastor. Tell him your thoughts on worship and musicianship. He needs to hear that your goal in rehearsal is to offer your best in worship by sweating the musical details like you do.
2) The worship pastor is probably trying to establish relationships with the team, and is using rehearsal time to do it (which isn't my recommendation, by the way, but he's in charge). You might need to lay low during rehearsal as he makes these relational connections. That may mean that some of the music mechanics are overlooked for a while, which will drive you nuts, but he may return to them in the future.
3) Another possibility is that he's intimidated by your musicianship. And since he's the paid guy, he may be uncomfortable when you notice the team's (or his) musical flaws. Make the effort to affirm him as a musician as well as a leader. Once he knows that you aren't challenging him musically, and some trust between you is established, he may even welcome your input.
4) Smile a lot. Be as warm as you can. Both you and he need to find your comfort zone.
Answer:
I was checking out your myspace and saw I had a very similar rig as you LOL. Ibanez rg, ovation accoustic, crate half stack, Boss Gt 3(not 6) and I have a roland U-20 (not d-20).
I also run into the same thing as you, because I fine tune my music and record things and go over them like a football player watches football film . I get blammed for being unspiritual.
The people who have accused me leave me with the impression that they themselves don't have the heart of worship and they are projecting that on me.
Ex. of projection is when someone asks you are you O.K. meanwhile it's them that's hurting. That's why I tend to question someone when they question my attitude. Your worship pastor could possibly be feeling like he's missed the heart of worship and doesn't know how to get it back so starts blamming things and people around him. It's an all too common problem.
The Heart of worship as described by Matt Redman is one that responds to the greatness of God in an extravagant love offering.
Peace Bro,
Man I wish I was in Hawaii
Answer:
i believe it is very vital to be doing the correct things. if it doesn't go your way, don't become angry or upset, just go with it. but you should strive to get it right in practice.
if it goes wrong in the service, people's minds and attentions are going to be drawn away from worship, and to "hey, that didn't sound good. Why is he up there? He looks a little young...." and so on, totally off giving glory to our God and Father. i think for that reason alone, it should be made very important.
Answer:
Howzit, my Hawaiian brother,
Sorry to hear that you’ve been having some tough goings at your place of worship, especially with the new worship leader. Das why hard, yeah?
You ask about the line between being a musician and being a Christian. There shouldn’t be any line. Being a Christian musician is a wonderful calling. However, there are some inherent differences between being a professional musician and a church musician.
A professional musician gets paid while a church musician volunteers (at least at the little churches I know). Church musicians do it for reasons other than money – sense of duty, love of music, desire to serve God, passion, fulfillment, or all of the above. But it also means church musicians are more likely to bail out, meaning that we always need to be gentle when dealing with others.
A professional musician needs a certain amount of technical proficiency in order to be viable, while churches will generally take anyone with a bit of skill. Meaning that folks on the praise band may lack certain musical skills or training. You can’t assume they know how to read music or have training in music principles. Yet, we don't want to turn anyone away.
A professional musician answers to his own artistic conscience, while a church musician answers to the worship leader or pastor. Sometimes it turns out that the musician knows more about music than the worship leader or pastor, yet the musician needs to submit to the other’s authority.
A professional musician’s bottom line is musical excellence. A church musician’s bottom line is worship. This can be a fine line, as one can argue that poor musicianship can detract from worship, but the point is that the goals are loftier and more inter-twined for church musicians.
A professional musician is dedicated to his art, while a church musician may have competing priorities such as family, school, work, or other ministries in the church. Musical excellence comes at a price, meaning you have to put in lots of practice time. Not all church musicians can manage that – and pastors know it – so sometimes we have to settle for musicianship that’s “good enough” and depend on the Spirit for the rest.
Anyway, reading over your post, I can’t imagine anyone being upset about playing the right chords or singing proper harmonies. I’m sure there’s more to your situation than what your brief post describes. It might help if you can tell us more about what the problems are.
Answer:
DD808, I used to be one local too, until I wen leave to live on da Mainland. I miss da kaukau fo' sure.
One of the best pieces of advice I heard came from Michael Gungor. As well as being a recording and performing artist with a music degree and background in jazz and an awesome guitarist, he is also the worship leader at his church. He said he had to remind himself that the members of his worship team were serving because that was the desire of their hearts. He had to separate his professionalism and skill so that it was not a measure for the rest of the group to meet. His role became more of a leader, one who was to direct, encourage and inspire the group to be able to be a conduit to lead the church into worship. At that point, he became less of a musician and more of a servant. He learned that as a leader, he was more effective in getting the group to accomplish the goal of leading the church into worship than he was trying to get their music skills to improve to his level (or somewhat near it).
I believe that as an encourager (rather than a gifted musician), he realized the value of his people and that the wrong chord or note was less important than the one playing it. In fact, he learned the value of his people by asking himself how much would he have to pay them if this was their job and he was paying them for their time. He then realized how much they were worth. Even if you are not the leader, but a gifted musician, the role of being an encourager for the others in the group should be the same. In general, growth would likely be made as a result of the person desiring to better themselves rather than being told they needed to. Sometimes, the only difference is in the way we say it. Make sense?