I Can Do Everything Through Christ

For those in ministry, the changing weather is the least of our concerns—unless you’re lost in a blinding blizzard on the way to the Michigan District Assemblies of God Conference on the Ministry. Readiness for changing weather within our ministries… now that’s something different. I like what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13 NLT; “…for I have learned to be content in whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” All of us can look back at various challenges and recall how God provided strength and a sense of direction. Many different factors may seem to slow our progress but God gives strength for that. Results may not and generally are not immediate but eventual. Through it all I’m reminded of what God has already done, even through the ordinary. I hesitate to consider the number of worship songs we re-learned in rehearsal as new or budding musicians came on the scene. Or how many technical assistants we trained over the past five year time span. Over the past decade our music department memorized and performed twenty new musicals with an ebb and flow of choir attendance. Most importantly we remain focused on what God is doing. His blessing has inspired a course correction for people and families. Kids are growing up with a balanced understanding of Godly principles. Moms and dads feel better equipped to lead their families. Changes within ministry personnel are an ongoing challenge in all areas, but effective ministry still happens, praise God! Stepping into the uncertainty of year 2010 I remind myself of God’s goodness and faithfulness. I know music ministry efforts will be a valuable piece of the overall ministry puzzle.

God is good,

Tim Covert

Sound Tech Seminar

I recently co-hosted a Michigan District Sound Seminar with a friend of mine who is a well respected sound reinforcement expert. This seminar was offered to sound techs working with worship leaders from around our great state. During our five hours together we discussed speakers, speaker placement, sound wave cancellation, sound boards, microphones, how the science of audio has advanced in the past few years and philosophies of ministry. We laughed and moaned regarding the difficulty of running live sound in the local church. You would be happy to know the brother/sisterhood of sound techs was very concerned and sympathetic regarding common problems. This also made them very attentive to questions and answers. They were serious about providing solutions for their individual situations and facilitating the vision of the local church. These volunteers were like gold. The sessions were left with plenty of room for dialogue regarding specific concerns. This was not a sales seminar. The time went by all too fast and I’m sure there will be more questions in the future. My goal is to host this seminar once a year in the fall if there is demand. This year’s participants are making plans for next years sessions when we will expand the scope venturing into more advanced topics. I plan on having a live worship band available so principles of mixing live sound can be discussed and practiced. If you missed it this year, plan on it for next. In the mean time, I am always available to discuss this topic with your team.

God is good,

Tim Covert

Good Form

They say good form comes with practice. Certainly, good musical form is a must for any worship band. And one important contributor is the ability for musicians to communicate with each other. Let’s face it, a concert band, orchestra or choir wouldn’t function very well if their members couldn’t see the conductor. Today, most worship leaders do not direct the worship band in the traditional sense.  But just like the traditional sense in an orchestra, eye contact is required.  Perhaps one of the most important dynamics worship leaders have influence over (affecting eye contact) is the physical placement of instruments. Can the musicians see the worship leader’s face and the other musicians as well? Now, if the drum cage is buried in some far off corner of the platform I’m not suggesting a renovation of the sanctuary. But if his / her view is blocked by a bunch of trees trying to hide the drum cage, this may create a musical communication problem. Do your best with what you have. Arrange the band so everyone can clearly see the worship leader and each other as much as possible. Case in point. Our platform (having a seating capacity of around 300) has been through several transformations over the past twenty years. At first the piano and organ were together off the platform. This was the era when worship leaders directed everyone with their hands. Worship was lead from the platform pulpit and the organ and piano were the only accompanists. As the team grew over time all other instruments surrounded them. Eventually, the platform was extended and musicians were placed up on it. However, to make the platform look symmetrical the team was split in two. This was the era when each musician had their own floor monitor... as every sound man shudders. Platform real estate can be very valuable and acoustic drums can take up a big chunk of it. So initially, acoustic drums were off the platform on the floor— closest to the congregation! It wasn’t long and it was decided the drummer needed to play with feathers or we needed electronic drums. The latter was chosen. Good call. Eventually a portion of the floor level was raised (to the side of the platform), giving the guitars much better eye contact with the worship leader. Over time it became very apparent everyone needed to see. Ah, you live and learn. Oh yes, I understand the dynamics of moving platform instruments around. Our church was started in 1927... enough said. Today, as the leader, I know I need to see those assisting me as much as they need to see me. There’s nothing like a team communicating well. That’s one less thing in the equation to go wrong.

God is good,

Tim Covert

Crossing the Line

I have opportunity to publically pray over certain things in our services… often. I was on vacation and our Senior Pastor invited a regularly attending young person to greet first time visitors and pray for the morning offering in my absence. Without missing a beat the teenager recited my Sunday morning greeting with detailed instruction (including hand gestures) then prayed over the offering. The congregation just howled. Our worship team can quote another prayer of mine. Before we step on the platform I pray something like… “Lord help everything to work (I like the simplicity of that). Help us get out of the way. Come with purpose in this atmosphere of worship You are about to help us create. Do what You want to do in this service.” Paul Baloche echoes this desire in a quote found in Sweetwater’s “Worship Sound” magazine. He writes, “All technology needs to serve the goal of helping to create an environment that makes it easier for people to connect with God. Technology, when done well, can really enhance the experience. It’s almost the same thing as songwriting; it’s a fine line where, when you’re writing a worship song, you want the congregation singing the song to feel like it’s a natural, organic prayer that they’re singing to God. But if you cross the line where the song is just drawing all the attention to itself, then it’s not necessarily accomplishing the goal of helping people draw near to God.” The question is, where is the line? Plenty of salesmen would love to sell your church new stage lighting and a haze machine. There are many well meaning voices claiming to know what worship songs you should sing during corporate worship.  Ultimately, what is used to assist needs to be tooled out by local church leadership. Each congregation is different. One thing remains constant regarding corporate worship. Whatever is done “needs to serve the goal of helping to create an environment that makes it easier for people to connect with God.” Baloche gives sound advice regarding moving forward. He comments, “… go slow. Don’t feel like you have to go out and buy all this stuff overnight. Add things incrementally. As you add, you need to learn how to use it. Find somebody who’s a step ahead of you and just humble yourself and ask if you can glean from them.” There are questions I occasionally make myself re-examine regarding how we facilitate our corporate worship vision. Why are we doing what we’re doing (with respect to any given area)? Does it (whatever I’m examining) help or hinder that vision? Does it need to change?

God is good,

Tim Covert