QUESTION FOR THE LGM P&W LEADERS

[MUNCHY]

Okay... just this Sunday, I was the fill-in P&W leader at a predominantly white church.  I will be honest with you, the music was certainly not to my satisfaction in sound and cleanness but the congregation loved it.  Of course, I gave them some urban flavor but most of the jams we sang were by white artists such as Michael W. Smith and Chris Tomlin.  Here is the situation.  I am pretty sure that they are going to offer the position because the guy they have now is transitiioning out.  I think I might take the position.

I definitely not trying to go up there and go against what the man of God has set for worship services.  In fact, the jams we sang were very anointed... it's just that the band, for lack of better words... was really bad.  The singers were really not that good.  The drummer really could not keep time and the bass player was really kind of whacked.  They have potential though. 

My attitude when it comes to playing the piano is that I am always looking to improve my skills and sharpen what I have.  After much prayer and fasting    , what else can I do as P&W leader for that attitude to transfer to the rest of the team and still maintain the integrity and unity of the team. 

APPRECIATE Y'ALL HOOKIN' A BROTHER UP WITH SOME WISDOM.

[sjonathan02]

My advice would be to seek God so that he can put the right words into your mouth. Share with the group what your standards are as it pertains to giving God the best that we can give Him, remind them about playing skillfully and with a desire to please God and bing His people into His presence.

I pray this has been helpful.

[jlewis]

You should also consider "why" they are so bad.


It could be a situation that these are the loyal  few who have stepped up  to the task of presenting a musical program to the church. They may not have had the time to "gel" as a band.  They may be new musicians  and therefore  the complexity or difficulty of the music may be an issue.  It could be scheduling (the previous leader didn't schedule band rehearsals or didn't give sufficient notification on what the musical selections for the sunday, the month, the quarter, or whatever the period  that the music department picks music).

So until you get some specifics, I personally wouldn't comment on the talent ( or lack thereof) within the music department.

just my 2 cents


jlewis

[Holy Roller]

Brother,

i would cross one Bridge at a time. IF they ask you, I would find out what the Pastor's vision for the worship and the church is FIRST and see if this is where you want to go long term. It is really hard on a church to have a musician come and build up the worship and music and then BAMM! he's outta there. sort of another topic, but I think it is vital to put down some stakes and flkow with a man of God and stay there until God is through and when he is, I believe there is someone there that you have perhaps trained to take up the task so the church is not left hanging. someone that shares the heart beat of the church .

when you talk to him, let him know about the condtion of the band and like the other brother said, talk to them and befriedn them first. win them over first. then share your vision of excellence. boil them slow like a frog. lol either they get use to the heat or the die off and you can train or bring in someone to your standard.

It may be that they really have the desire but just did not ever have anyone who cared enough to take the time with them. another thing, IMO, i would rather have level B musicians that really repesct you and have a heart for God then the cocky level A musician who would leave you in heartbeat for more $$.(not saying all are like that).

hope that offers some help ! let us know what becomes of it

[Jackflash]

Well from my experience, and this has been with many predominantly caucasian churches.
They like the style of our music, however they become intimidated because they cannot play our style of music. Many do not want to put the practice time in to better thereselves.  Your work is cut out for you, but if God called you to it, it shall be done.
There's nothing more frustrating to a worship leader/musician than having to limit your ability because the ability of those around you is lower.  I would pray and seek God, talk to the pastor, meet with the band and let them know your expectations prior to making the committment.  The other thing is you have to teach them that the music is a ministry, and they're not just there to play an instrument, they are there to minister to God's people. If you play guitar, minister to people on that guitar, if you play drums, minister to people while playing the drums. The whole purpose of the worship band and singers is to prepare the people for God's word, laying a foundation, purging the atmosphere through worship so that God's word can go forth with authority.  Every musician and singer has that responsibility.  Next everyone must be on one accord no division.  Make it plain your expectations of the band and singers, even the style of music/worship that you are trying to achieve for the church (after speaking with the pastor).
after you have laid this foundation you will find that some people will be for you and others may not be in agreement with the vision that you have laid out for the worship team.  some may stay some may sit down, but this is all cool, because it creates a unity and those that cannot submit to the authority given to you probably should sit down. 

Finally give them the tools that they need to accomplish this transition.  Get them CD's of the music that you would like to teach, give them ample time to digest the music.  If they need sheet music get it for them.  then come together and go over the songs until they are satisfactory and then introduce the music on sundays.  I hope i was helpful.  feel free to email me i've been in that postition many times

[MUNCHY]

 

Much appreciated about the comments... if I could give you all of you some more insight...

To jlewis:  You have a good point... they have had several different musicians over the past 2-4 years soi the "gelling" is probably a big issue.

To HolyRoller:  I guess for lack of better words, I was really trying to be nice.  What if you have class "c" musicians.  I guess your point still stands because there is a good number of ate-up musicians I would much rather roll with than the high siddity ones (Did I speall that right)   

To JackFlash:  I appreciate what you said because I was thinking along the same lines...  I was gonna get all of them the CD from GospelKeyboard.com just to give them a different aspect of music.  I will probably take you up on that offer to holla at you if or when I take the position. 

MUCH APPRECIATED AGAIN LGM PEOPLES   

[Holy Roller]

jackFlash,

one reason they cannot play our music is because it is more than just taught, it's like catching a flu virus, it's caught.

some white people have been shown the technique but they can't get the true spirit of it and part of that is they have not been exposed. They need time for it to grow on them.

I say expose them to greatness and inspire them. bring in some clinitians to re-inforce what you are trying to convey.

[Jackflash]

If you want something bad enough you develop relationships with those of like mind.
one thing is many caucasian musicians/worship leaders do not have "Relationships" w/ african american musicians/worship leaders.
they may watch them on tv, or visit a black church, or buy the sheet music, but thy do not have relationships with them where there can be an impartation.  Maybe that is where the Spirit of God is moving at this time.  Connecting multicultural relationships, not just segregated churches, but relationships where you can fellowship outside of church, pray for and with, invite over to dinner, and family gatherings.  That is where you'll learn about the culture of african americans, and that is how you will develop a better understanding of why, and how we worship the way that we do.  Our worship is more than just a song, it's a lifestyle. (hmm that sounds like a sermon, or a book)
Be blessed.

[mteekemp]

I have been waiting for this one and here is the Mtee Kemp solution to your problem...
1) pray for direction
2) if offered the position, allow your gift to make room for you, and then allow your gift to elevate the gift of others who are not where you are.
3) be patient- don't rush what God is trying to do, allow Him to do it...He is more than capable of it...
4) always allow the Spirit of God to be in control- I am very cautious of following the status quo for musical reasons...what I mean is this, some of the simplest chords and melodies have made for great getting to the presence(feet) of God music. When you have musicians that aren't as skillful, you must give them time to develop but also keep them encouraged to follow the flow of God. In your rehearsals take time to flow in the gift...allow them to follow you as you go to that place in God that you are trying to get them to go to. If they see you get there, they will want to go...and that works even with the skill level that they play on...I have always wanted to emulate skillful musicians, but i really wanted to emulate anointed ones...
on the band tip...take time and develop a system that works for yo and teach them based on that system. (I personally use the number system and it works) When it comes down to it, good musicians are just like great ball players...they make the team better...

                                                       mad love until we meet again...mtee

[mteekemp]

OH YEAH...for the brother who spoke about white folks and black worship...once we come to a full understanding that God wants true worship, we will be better for it. Yes our cultures are different but our worship should be the same...The book idea is a wonderful one...can i have it?
What is color to God...what is denomination to God...what is status to God...none of these things matter to Him...we were created to worship Him and the only two things that mattered to Him when it came to worship was SPIRIT AND TRUTH...we must do it in Spirit and truth...He didn't say be black, be white, be hispanic, He said be worshippers...our greatest struggles have always been based on race and status and when we reach that understanding that all God wants you to be is broken before Him...then we can worship so, that the glory of the Lord would fill the room and the priest won't even be able to stand and minister because of the GLORY...now lift those hands and say Lord let your glory fill this place...Mtee