Working With Worship Leaders
When working with Christians musicians in regards to a worship band, I find it to be very frustrating not so much with the musicians, because you can work with them on a individual basis, if they are teachable. But with individuals placed in the position as the worship leaders. Let me qualify this. There are individuals in the position of worship leader, who lack the musical training and skills. They lack the confidence in their abilities not only as a musician, but also as a leader and often become intimidated and threaten by other musicians who are strong, trained and confident. The only leg they can stand on is the fact they have been “appointed” or placed in the position by the Pastor. It’s only inevitable that the entire worship team will become as the leader. The chain is only as strong as the weakest link.
Many times there is often a disagreement between the worship leader and the senior pastor in terms of the music and the freedom of expression in praise and worship. If the worship leader resigns, the pastor will often fill the position by placing an individual from the local body who has the “heart” for worship or is available. After all, God is not concern with your ability as much as He is with your availability”. Usually these are people who have a little musical talent such as singing or playing a few chord progressions on the guitar or piano who are actually gifted in another areas, but they refused to walk or function in that area because they always wanted to play music.
They are easily “controlled” by the pastor and they feel a sense of important because they’re moving up in ranks “church leadership”. I gave a worship leader 18 praise and worship choruses I had written in lead sheet form and said feel free to use any of them. Three months past and none had been used. When I inquired to the worship leader why, his reply was, "they could not be use them at this time". No other explanation was given. As I inquired to the senior pastor, I discovered the person knew nothing about music and the pastor had place him in the position because he had a "heart" for worship. Think about it, if you needed to have an open heart surgery, would want a auto mechanic to perform the operation because he or she is available or because they have the “heart” to be a medical surgeon? Or would you want to have a trained and qualified physician.
In many churches today especially in the “contemporary worship” anyone can be a worship leader. If you can't “carry a tune in a bucket” or can play a few chords of a praise and worship chorus on piano or guitar, you can become the worship leader all you need is the "heart". The worship leader should have qualifications that hold the same importance as the qualifications for the senior pastor. To have a level of excellence in music in the church, the worship leader or music director should be musically trained, and teachable with the ability to challenge and motivate other musicians to become excellent musicians for God. They must have self-confidence not only as a musician but as the worship leader and as a spiritual leader. The individual should be mature and recognize in themselves as well as other their strengths and weaknesses thus being able to delegate responsibilities or allow others in the group who may be more knowledgeable in a particular area to flourish in their calling. The “called” worship leader must understand the Levitcal priesthood and the principle of worship and praise not only in the Old Testament church but in the New Testament church as it applies to us today. Many trained and skills musicians are frustrated with working with others musicians who do not hold to the same music ethics. And yet others will become complacent in their musicianship. But before we "professionals" become disillusion with the musicians, let's first look at the music leadership this may be the problem.
Copyright 2001 Ray L. Baker / Producer
When working with Christians musicians in regards to a worship band, I find it to be very frustrating not so much with the musicians, because you can work with them on a individual basis, if they are teachable. But with individuals placed in the position as the worship leaders. Let me qualify this. There are individuals in the position of worship leader, who lack the musical training and skills. They lack the confidence in their abilities not only as a musician, but also as a leader and often become intimidated and threaten by other musicians who are strong, trained and confident. The only leg they can stand on is the fact they have been “appointed” or placed in the position by the Pastor. It’s only inevitable that the entire worship team will become as the leader. The chain is only as strong as the weakest link.
Many times there is often a disagreement between the worship leader and the senior pastor in terms of the music and the freedom of expression in praise and worship. If the worship leader resigns, the pastor will often fill the position by placing an individual from the local body who has the “heart” for worship or is available. After all, God is not concern with your ability as much as He is with your availability”. Usually these are people who have a little musical talent such as singing or playing a few chord progressions on the guitar or piano who are actually gifted in another areas, but they refused to walk or function in that area because they always wanted to play music.
They are easily “controlled” by the pastor and they feel a sense of important because they’re moving up in ranks “church leadership”. I gave a worship leader 18 praise and worship choruses I had written in lead sheet form and said feel free to use any of them. Three months past and none had been used. When I inquired to the worship leader why, his reply was, "they could not be use them at this time". No other explanation was given. As I inquired to the senior pastor, I discovered the person knew nothing about music and the pastor had place him in the position because he had a "heart" for worship. Think about it, if you needed to have an open heart surgery, would want a auto mechanic to perform the operation because he or she is available or because they have the “heart” to be a medical surgeon? Or would you want to have a trained and qualified physician.
In many churches today especially in the “contemporary worship” anyone can be a worship leader. If you can't “carry a tune in a bucket” or can play a few chords of a praise and worship chorus on piano or guitar, you can become the worship leader all you need is the "heart". The worship leader should have qualifications that hold the same importance as the qualifications for the senior pastor. To have a level of excellence in music in the church, the worship leader or music director should be musically trained, and teachable with the ability to challenge and motivate other musicians to become excellent musicians for God. They must have self-confidence not only as a musician but as the worship leader and as a spiritual leader. The individual should be mature and recognize in themselves as well as other their strengths and weaknesses thus being able to delegate responsibilities or allow others in the group who may be more knowledgeable in a particular area to flourish in their calling. The “called” worship leader must understand the Levitcal priesthood and the principle of worship and praise not only in the Old Testament church but in the New Testament church as it applies to us today. Many trained and skills musicians are frustrated with working with others musicians who do not hold to the same music ethics. And yet others will become complacent in their musicianship. But before we "professionals" become disillusion with the musicians, let's first look at the music leadership this may be the problem.
Copyright 2001 Ray L. Baker / Producer