Trailblazers

‘Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’ --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many churches look toward other church models.  The grass often seems greener on the other side.

Worship styles come and go.  During the 1970’s and 80’s we saw a move toward simpler song texts.  At the beginning of a new century we see a renewed move toward text from ancient hymns.  A church in the middle of Nashville will probably look nothing like a church in the middle of Los Angeles – God’s truth remains the same, but worship style varies greatly from place to place.

God says in the scripture, over and over again, that He makes things new.  At one point in time, it was part of God’s plan for Israel to live in Egypt.  He was preparing them as a people for a much greater plan. Interestingly, when things got tough for them in the land of Canaan, they gravitated back toward Egypt and the idols of the past.

We need to be trailblazers, not only as musicians and songwriters - but also as followers of Christ.  Life in Christ is all about new.  He doesn’t allow us, or our churches, to remain the same.  He also doesn’t ask us to be something we’re not.  God is constantly transforming His Church so that we can do the specific work we are called to do.

A Drop in the Bucket

Have you ever visited New York City?  My husband and I visited some family in Midtown who have a rooftop garden.  One morning, we climbed to the rooftop and made a game of throwing snowballs off the roof.  When we walked downstairs, we looked around to see evidence of the snowballs.

Interesting thing about snowflakes – according to the Weather Channel, it can take up to an hour for a snowflake to fall from a cloud to the surface of the earth.  It didn’t take that long for our snowballs to reach the ground, but a snowball from the roof and a snowflake from a cloud meet a similar fate – they crash and melt!

You might be wondering what in the world does this have to do with worship leading.  Have you ever felt like a ‘drop in the bucket?’  Have you ever felt what you do doesn’t seem to matter?   Do you feel like your songs just crash and melt?

The ‘evidence’ of what we do each and every Sunday morning isn’t found mounted on a wall, or, in most cases, broadcast over the airwaves.  When we do well, our song remains in others’ hearts, and in our hearts, long after the music stops.  What can we experience that can be more lasting than to come into the presence of God, and to allow Him complete freedom to change us?  Although our lives are like grass which will fade, or snow which will melt, the Word of God expressed through us and others will change the world and will continue forever.           

The Unsung Hero

I’ve found over the years there’s an indispensable member of any worship team – the sound guy.  Maybe I should say ‘sound person’ – it’s always been a guy in my churches, but it’s probably a gal somewhere out there.  In one of my previous blogs I suggested you remember to pray often for every member of your team.  Don’t neglect the sound person in this.

Volumes could be written by our sound people on the challenges involved in running sound. All of us need to appreciate the skill set involved in this ministry.  Seek out professional training for your team in regard to sound.   Professional sound techs and sound workshops are available to train those who run the sound, as well as the vocalists and instrumentalists on the proper use of the equipment.

Professionals who train the team will most likely take a look at your equipment and assess what needs to be repaired and replaced.   When replacing something, keep in mind one church’s ‘trash’ can be another church’s ‘treasure.’  Churches south of the equator can make use of older wireless equipment which are no longer allowed here in the States, due to the new federal sound frequency regulations.

We as a team also need to learn to effectively communicate with the sound person during rehearsal, and even occasionally during the worship service.  At rehearsal I normally ask my sound person to use a mic as he leads us through individual monitor checks, followed by an overall sound check during our first song.   The sound person needs to remain attentive at the board throughout rehearsal and throughout the worship service. 

Remember – when something odd happens during the service, it’s often not the sound person’s fault.  It’s more likely an equipment malfunction, a battery needing to be replaced, or something we ourselves are doing.  These situations are usually difficult to re-create afterwards, so as you try to assess the situation, include your sound person in the discussion.

The sound guy is the ‘unsung’ hero because he is the unseen member of all worship teams.  Instead of ignoring him until something goes wrong, lets pray for and support this important ministry.

2 Timothy 2:15

 Some of us who have studied music know that there are hours and hours of time and determination involved in learning our instrument.  The study of music theory also enables us to grasp the form of a worship song at a glance so we can then bring our own style and ideas into it. 

There are also many people on worship teams who love to sing and play without having had prior musical study, and we as leaders are called to encourage all who participate on the team to offer their very best during the worship service.  Being part of a team offers us fresh musical perspectives.  It can be exciting to see a spark of confidence in that new singer, or hear the new high school drummer try a new drum fill. 

The great thing about music is that we never stop learning and growing, as long as we continue to hone our craft.  We have the opportunity every week to learn new songs and to learn to sing or play with more skill and with more passion.  The opportunity is there – for everyone on the team.  Not just the trained people – not just those who’ve majored in music.

Developing a musical skill is something you can do at any point of your life.  If you are serving on a team, that hopefully means you have a desire to grow as a follower of God and as a musician – it doesn’t mean you have arrived.  None of us ever arrive at being all God wants us to be – if that were possible we’d be bored.

I want to encourage you this year to have the confidence to seek out feedback from your team leader, or from another trusted musician friend.  Ask others if they can understand the words you sing, if you look engaged, or if anything you do in worship leading has room for improvement.  Ask God if there’s something you might do this year to better equip yourself as a church musician.   Keep asking God, and others, as you grow in giving your musical best.