Disorganized for Jesus....Where Do I Begin?

[HolyOne27]

Need a little help from those who have worked extensively with choirs and Praise & Worship.  I play for a very small church of 60-70 members.  They are very traditional in worship, and the church attendance has really dropped a lot over the years.  The church is becoming very young...and I am trying to create some excitement, along with usher in praise and worship.

Here's the deal.  The Pastor is top on the list of issues.  I sat down with him and asked if I had autonomy to do as God directs for the music ministry, to which he said yes.  I then explained my vision, to create a mass choir, revive the youth choir, and create a men's chorus.  We would be starting a new praise team to help organize the praise and worship that is starting to occur naturally each sunday.  Told him when pieces would be completed.  Have been working with the praise team on new songs, and he starts busting out with the songs last sunday.  The Praise Team hasn't even started yet, and, to make matters worse, he destroyed the song.  He loves to sing, wants to sing, but doesn't do well with remembering words, etc.  I am trying to bring people together in an organized fashion (with words printed, or displayed, etc....having everyone learn songs first...)but it is going to be a long road if the Pastor keeps interrupting.  Any suggestions??
Next comes the choir director....Well....she wants to direct....but her attitude is very defensive and somethings very confrontational.  Members seem to respond better to me when I direct...but when she directs...no one pays attention.  I have yet to sit down with her one on one as I'm not real sure how to approach her...but she can't continue in this manner or she will never gain the respect of the choir.
Finally, choir members.  The praise and worship is new to them....but many of them seem reluctant to lift hands, particpate openly in worship.  What are the best ways to encourage this?  I have mentioned that to really get those in the pews moving, choir and praise team must be on the same page..setting the atmosphere together.  Not sure they are getting what I'm saying.  HELP!

[betnich]

      I can feel for you....as the keyboard player in a mainline church am in a similar position. Last Sunday our Choir sat stone-still in their risers as the Praise group sang; tried to get them to join in on the chorus but to no avail. We're not that much younger then them, either (mainly Boomers, some who also sing in the Choir) but several younger people in the congregation have come up to me after the service to express their compliments/interest. Also got positive feedback from some of the older people - the pastor probably hears the negative complaints!

     Sounds like your Pastor wants to support you, but is pushing getting into Praise a bit too early, before you and your singers feel ready. Let him know how much you appreciate his support - then invite him to rehearsal, if he doesn't go already. When introducing new choruses and Praise, baby steps are best - some churches aren't into the "come on, put your hands together" exhortation style, so your group may have to encourage them to praise God by example, by modeling it for them.

     I considered it a major breakthrough Sunday when some people clapped their hands in time to the music...

 

[sjonathan02]

It's going to be a slow process. I'd say speak with your pastor again and express your concerns. As for the members of the music ministry, you must teach them what the Word says about lifting up hands, etc.

Ask them to share what makes THEM move and ask, "isn't God worth that?"

It's going to be a slow and long process, but, with perseverance, it can be done.

Be Blessed.

[spider5]

  It is a slow process and it can get frustrating, but don't give up, because that is what the enemy wants you to do. Another thing to remember, and something that I have to keep myself aware of is that people make their own choices and they don't want to clap their hands they're not, and that is just them, but you continue to praise him and watch the Lord move in those people so strong that they want be able to control themselves.

  I am going through a very similar situation, and sometimes I start to feel that it is pointless, but I remember that I am playingfor Jesus. Continue to play and work on the situation so that it will become better, but in all things pray and he will see you through it. God Bless You!!!!!

[chevonee]

It's going to be a slow process. I'd say speak with your pastor again and express your concerns. As for the members of the music ministry, you must teach them what the Word says about lifting up hands, etc.

Ask them to share what makes THEM move and ask, "isn't God worth that?"

It's going to be a slow and long process, but, with perseverance, it can be done.

Be Blessed.

My sentiments exactly!!!

[Formuzik]

It is a process.  You have to teach the Word, and also encourage the same worship expressions on the traditional hymns.  Sometimes when we introduce praise and worship, we attempt to immitate the videos or original artists in our "performance."  It leaves an impression that we only want the expressions of worship on "our" music, which can cause the older, more traditional saints to feel that we don't see their stuff as spiritually motivating.  Also, blend the hymns and spiritual songs.  Some churches make the mistake of singing the hymn as a separate entity from the worship portion.  Another approach to consider is to introduce praise and worship rather than jumping into it.  By introducing, you tag a praise chorus or worship chorus onto the back of a hymn that has the same central them.  For example, sing "Holy, Holy, Holy," then segue into "I Call You Holy," then sing the first stanza to "Holy, Holy, Holy" to end the set.  Praise and worship is now not separate from the hymn, but used to enhance the hymn.  As time progress add more praise and worship with hymns sandwiched in as the segue.  I wish you the best.  I'm here if you ever need to talk.  I have dealt with this problem when introducing some African American aspects of worship into Caucasian churches and crossing generational lines.  Try doing both---generational and cultural.  :-)

Pastor Starkovich

[betnich]

It is a process.  You have to teach the Word, and also encourage the same worship expressions on the traditional hymns.  Sometimes when we introduce praise and worship, we attempt to immitate the videos or original artists in our "performance."  It leaves an impression that we only want the expressions of worship on "our" music, which can cause the older, more traditional saints to feel that we don't see their stuff as spiritually motivating.  Also, blend the hymns and spiritual songs.  Some churches make the mistake of singing the hymn as a separate entity from the worship portion.  Another approach to consider is to introduce praise and worship rather than jumping into it.  By introducing, you tag a praise chorus or worship chorus onto the back of a hymn that has the same central them.  For example, sing "Holy, Holy, Holy," then segue into "I Call You Holy," then sing the first stanza to "Holy, Holy, Holy" to end the set.  Praise and worship is now not separate from the hymn, but used to enhance the hymn.  As time progress add more praise and worship with hymns sandwiched in as the segue.  I wish you the best.  I'm here if you ever need to talk.  I have dealt with this problem when introducing some African American aspects of worship into Caucasian churches and crossing generational lines.  Try doing both---generational and cultural.  :-)

Pastor Starkovich

Good Stuff!

[HolyOne27]

I have been away from the site for a minute, but I wanted to thank everyone who responded to my post.  The past MOM at this church past away a few years ago, and was a great friend of mine.  I have been with the church for a long time and am very committed to helping them move to the next level in Christ.  I hear the feedback, and will definitely take it slow.  I agree about the mixture of music and try to mix hymns, praise and worship, traditional, and non traditional music throughout the service.  I appreciate the suggestion about encourage Pastor to attend Praise Team Rehearsal.  He is a very "hand on" pastor with a lot of energy, which I greatly appreciate because the energetic folks are the ones I link with since they help motivate others.  We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and God will bless our efforts I know. 
Thanks again all, & God Bless.

[vtguy84]

I'm sorry to hear about the loss.  This is great advice in here.  I hope that you take the music to another level.

[Big T.]

It's going to be a slow process. I'd say speak with your pastor again and express your concerns. As for the members of the music ministry, you must teach them what the Word says about lifting up hands, etc.

Ask them to share what makes THEM move and ask, "isn't God worth that?"

It's going to be a slow and long process, but, with perseverance, it can be done.

Be Blessed.

Amen to that.