Question:
Hey all,
I'm really seeking the Lord in the matter of my drummer. Any advise would be appreciated in helping me make a descision.
For our church we have a drummer who has been really hurt, I recognized that years ago and I offered him counsell and eventually a place on the worship team. The worship team gave him an outlet to be part of a group and feel some accomplishment. What I see now is that he's extremely commited to the band but I think it's just because he so desires to be part of a group. He hasn't improved musically or spiritually for as long as I've known him. He does smile a lot more though. So I've made someone happy but really I want much more than that for people who serve with me. Am I asking too much?
It weighs heavilly on the other band members because they think he's holding us back. I don't want to hurt him and neither does the team but my inaction to truely resolve this issue is hurting the rest of the team. I know it's not about me but I feel like I've failed either way, If I let him go I've failed him, if I keep him I failed the team.
Answer:
what exactly does the team feel he's holding you back from?
Answer:
Most programs I've seen are either really into developing people (as musicians and spiritually) or they're not. You may want to decide which type your program is or is going to be. I think the ideal is to develop people, but it also takes so much more work and energy that I think some programs are still "ok" to pretty much leave that issue alone and do what works. Right now I'm leading a still-rather-new ministry and we're working toward a more focused way of developing people, but it's tough going.
In your current situation, (depending on the drummer's personality) you may want to think of ways to develop your drummer's skills and spiritual life. Or, you may want to go "halfsies" and start platooning the drumming duties (provided you know of someone else who can play part-time). Or you may want to go the confrontational route, which might result in losing your drummer permanently but has some chance of spurring the change that everyone would like to see happen.
Not knowing any more about the situation, I'd recommend at least having the drummer out to lunch and tell him straight-up what you're thinking on a real respectful, keep-it-real level if you can manage that. How the drummer responds may help you draw the map from there.
nate
Answer:
Only you can hold yourself back. Don't blame it on someone else.

Talk to the guy... I can't stand it when there is a problem with me and and I have to find out through the grapevine that there's a problem.
Answer:
Originally Posted by nix Only you can hold yourself back. Don't blame it on someone else.

Talk to the guy... I can't stand it when there is a problem with me and and I have to find out through the grapevine that there's a problem.
Agreed, though only with the second half. I'm not experienced with this type of thing, so forgive me if I make a fool of myself; I have a lot to learn. The worship team is a team. If one member is not advancing, and the others are, it slows things down, from what I can tell. Teams have to go together. It can't just be a few getting better with some not moving. Teams move and work together, and you can only move as fast as the slowest person on the team. I guess it'd all depend on what they're being held back from.
Answer:
i have a similar situation in our little worship team (2 guitar players including me and couple of singers).
i've been trying to "teach" the other guitar player some tricks, new chords, asked if we could modulate from one key to another key in the midst of the song, and so on...
most of the time i get the answer: "that's too much for me. i can't accomplish this 'on the fly'". he's also not a good team player - he just forgets everything around him and he plays really loud without paying attention to dynamics, tempo etc.
although we are a small team right now, this really keeps us from sounding better as a team.
the last couple of services i didn't really like to play because i just can't enjoy it anymore, knowing that we could sound so much better and therefore creating a nicer setting for the people to enter in gods presence.
Answer:
all members should be striving to do their best. I can tolerate someone that is practicing and trying hard. In fact mentoring musicians is one of the things I like about being a leader.
However if there is no individual practice taking place then its time to confront straight up. One warning and then no more.
Be prepared to offer the place to look for help. Suggest a teacher, video or something.
I've been there and feel your pain.
Answer:
There's got to first be a differentiation between someone who is on the team because they're serving the Lord and serving their team...someone who is "called" to that ministry...and someone who is filling a seat or position becasue that position needs to be filled.
The former person will be equipped to serve at least in the basics of what's required of them and will continue to grow, both spiritually and practically, over time. They'll also gladly take direction when given with encouragement and guidance.
The latter will more than likely just do what they do, either not grow or possibly become lackadaisical, and may get offended at the smallest suggestion to grow or improve no matter how encouraging the suggestion is given.
Be careful as this person may also put up a front; an eager attitude that's merely a facade to cover their true self.
It may be time to have a heart to heart with the drummer to find out where he's at. Be honest with him while using tact, wisdom, and love but be do be honest.
It also may be time to have a pep talk with the team. Plan and set a goal of a song or two that is outside of your comfort zone of what y'all normally play.
Give everyone the tools they need to learn the songs and give ample time to have them learn them.
Then practice them over a few weeks, recording them to check the progression.
Make adjustments/suggestions as needed. Talk to the drummer if he's lagging behind or not doing his portion. See if he needs anything that will help him along.
And more than anything: be sure to address the heart of worship and educate on it if needed.
There are resources gallore on the 'net about worship and how to grow in it away from the music. Print up a couple to hand out and even discuss over the weeks, taking time to pray about what God is speaking to everyone.
Dive head first into worship away from the platform and the instruments and Sunday morning.
And pray, pray, pray for your team and especially for your drummer.
Answer:
GtrDave - always a pleasure hearing your advise, it stirs me. There is so much more we can do as leaders for the people who serve with us.
Nix - I heard the same word pop in my brain this morning.
Nate - I'm going to open up more opprotunities for a couple people in the congregation to play. But as you said I need to have a program in place that is built on encouraging others.
Last night I hired a drum coach for him. Because I'm not gifted on drums myself, I feel the help I can provide is limited to mainly spiritual guidance. That or beat boxing out a drum riff(lol). Thankfully the drum coach I hired is spirit filled, extremely talented and is offering to life coach my drummer as well. I talked it over with the drummer before hand and he agreed to take lessons from the person of my chosing.
I'm investing a lot of resources with my drummer and I don't wan to see it go to waste but I've just got to try,
Answer:
Since you're investing resources into team -- a drum coach is an outstanding idea -- you might also want to look into Paul Baloche's worship band DVDs. The "Worship Band Workshop" DVD is excellent for all members of the group as it provides instruction on attitude and technique. There are also two DVDs on drumming that may help.
http://shop3.gospelcom.net/epages/ba...3/Catalog/1006