You will never get people to admit when they have a spirit of competition. Trust me, it is bigger in the church than anywhere else. I know because I grew up in church although I am not a gospel player. I do music professionally with non Christian artist and there is not as much competition. In fact, in the secular industry, individuality and differences are accepted more than in the church. A long time ago, I posted that gospel music is not an art form where self expression is really accepted. It is more so discouraged. People box you in and really want you to sound a certain way, or you are not considered a good player.
It is so sad. I have never seen as much competition as I do in the church. People will hide behind God, but in their hearts, they are really about competition and getting attention. They use words like "annointed" and say things about the spirit moving when they operate out of self. In fact, it is pretty common in church. It has become the norm rather than a minority thing.
The post is not what necessarily made me write this, but it did need to be said. Regardless of how you state it, it is vain.
I agree 100%. No, 10,000%. As a secular and church artist, I can compare the two arenas and say that never, never ever in the secular world have I experienced the feel of competition as I have in church. Musicians are measuring themselves against one another---circling like dogs--sniffing each other out (choirs too) to see who is going to out play, out sing, out shout, and of course be the loudest of who. It's sickening.
Secondly, I have never seen such rude musicians as some of the church musicians I've encountered. What makes musicians think they can play along on my choirs songs (WITHOUT ASKING if I'd like them to or not). Plus, they play louder than I'm playing! It is absolutely the rudest thing I've seen. I never play when others are singing or playing. I wasn't at their rehearsals and would be unthinkable to me to jump in and start plunking along. On a secular gig, I have never witnessed a musician playing with another band or singer
uninvited. All of this is (and many other things) are factoring in my decisions to eventually end my playing in church. This issue is up there at the top of my list. I detest visiting other churches and I detest my church hosting a fellowship event as well--for all of the reasons mentioned above.
Finally, this spirit of competition is one (one of many) reasons I rarely post or share information anymore on here. It seems to be a lot of young, ebonic-talking, competitive people here.
(NOT ALL) but a good majority. "Who has the phattest chords", "who has some new preachin' chords...I'm talking out-the-box"...etc. THAT is a spirit of competition too. If yours are already "all-that" figure it out yourself.
Let me stop--my blood pressure is going up...lol!!!
Thank you Sister T for bringing this subject up.
Lisa
