As the snow disappears and spring begins to sneak up on the northern United States, it's amazing how quickly this transition takes place. October and April are very transitional months in Michigan. It's possible to experience snow in April and jump from a boat into 72 degree water on a Michigan inland lake the next month! I did that last year. Transition happens faster than we care to admit, particularly with respect to music personnel. One year two qualified bass guitarists rotate on the worship team, the next, no one is available to play. Fill in the variation of transitional blanks for your church. Worship leaders scratch their heads and wonder, what happened? How can "this" or "that" be played without a bass? I can't say my overall ministry focus has changed dramatically over the course of the last 9 years I've been a music minister, but I can say my understanding of how to accomplish goals and approach frustrating circumstances has been enlightened over that period of time. Whether going from feast to famine, or the other way around, seemingly overnight, certain constants become wonderful friends. For those of you who feel like you've been in a famine camping on Mount Everest for the last few years, it's time to get a new perspective! First of all, every church goes through cycles - people move, things change, transition happens. You're not alone. Work through, and continue to work through, and continue to work through your transition with this thought. Psalm 22:3; "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." (NLT) One thing is constant in all of this - the biblical mandate to worship and the corresponding promise that God inhabits the praise of His people. That's an open ended promise. We worship, God says He'll show up to do what He wants to do, with or without a bass. Praise God! I read recently in Tom Kraeuter's book "The Worship Leader's Handbook" (published 1997 by Emerald Books) of a worship leader who was concerned about the fullness of sound his/her worship band was able to develop. More information is available than ever before, enabling us to experience through CD and DVD what others are doing in the area of worship. Naturally, what sounds good is something others desire to pursue, like this concerned worship leader. Music ministers make what seem to be legitimate comparisons on a never ending struggle to develop "the full sound". You're not alone in that pursuit. The obvious concern is that no matter what a church sounds like musically, it's hard (on a very modest budget) for any church to develop "the full sound" of very experienced worship musicians ministering through a multi-million dollar sound system. And this can be discouraging. I by no means roll over and stop trying to improve! Don't misunderstand what's being said. However, Music Ministers must be careful they don't let themselves become discouraged or allow their focus to stray from the mandate that comes from scripture - to facilitate worship first and foremost. Then, it's possible to develop people and improve sound as time goes on. The good news is, that's possible. Make sure worship is happening first, then figure out the most effect use of funds (if available) and use them to make the best noticeable improvements possible. Next, who can improve on dedicated unified musicians providing the best they can offer to God in their local church? Unselfish, motivated, unified worship team players are able to accomplish much with little. These are attributes that should describe every worship team. The question is not, who is better (comparing worship bands or programs), but, are we facilitating worship? What do you think?
Tim Covert
Tags: Christian Music, Devotional, Worship
