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There is training available for ministry workers, I see no reason why ministry-minded artists should not also be trained.

There does seem to be an inherent assumption in a lot of churches that if you can play an instrument, then you will do so at church. While many musos are happy to do so, I do feel that they are frequently taken for granted as just another congregation member helping out during the service, like the person doing the prayer, or the person doing the Bible reading (not that I devalue these jobs, as I do them myself and value them highly).

However playing an instrument, especially if you’re on your own, can require hours of rehearsal and be very nerve-wracking on the night. It can also strongly affect your enjoyment of the service. Furthermore, musos tend to be be heavily critical of their own work and seldom satisfied with the outcome - sometimes they aren’t given enough time to prepare, or the accoustics/audio is poor, or they themselves are simply not the best of musicians and are only doing the job because no-one else will. This is made worse by the fact that they tend to be the most oft-criticised member of the service, because it’s impossible to run a service where everyone likes all of the songs, and where all of the songs are played in everyone’s favourite style.

It can be a rotten job, and in some cases i think that there should be incentives in place.

David C Simon - 20 August 2007 03:48 PM

There is training available for ministry workers, I see no reason why ministry-minded artists should not also be trained.

There does seem to be an inherent assumption in a lot of churches that if you can play an instrument, then you will do so at church. While many musos are happy to do so, I do feel that they are frequently taken for granted as just another congregation member helping out during the service, like the person doing the prayer, or the person doing the Bible reading (not that I devalue these jobs, as I do them myself and value them highly).

However playing an instrument, especially if you’re on your own, can require hours of rehearsal and be very nerve-wracking on the night. It can also strongly affect your enjoyment of the service. Furthermore, musos tend to be be heavily critical of their own work and seldom satisfied with the outcome - sometimes they aren’t given enough time to prepare, or the accoustics/audio is poor, or they themselves are simply not the best of musicians and are only doing the job because no-one else will. This is made worse by the fact that they tend to be the most oft-criticised member of the service, because it’s impossible to run a service where everyone likes all of the songs, and where all of the songs are played in everyone’s favourite style.

It can be a rotten job, and in some cases i think that there should be incentives in place.

Hi David,

I think we are all expected to use our talents and giftedness for the good and service of the body (cf 1 Cor 12 , 1 Tim 4, 1 Pet 4, Mat 25).

I’d suggest that others serving in the Sunday service could also put in longer prep times, for example a bible reader could prepare in such a way as to communicate the passage from memory, in a dramatized way.

Now one may say “C’mon! what sort of expectations are these? Who has the time?”. It comes down to what does Jesus expect of us? The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 looms large here.

Jeff

p.s. I sympathise with all the apsects of serving in music you describe above having being involved in Music min for 17 of the last 18 years (1 year off for an ill-conceived foray into Childrens ministry!)

Hi David,

That sounds pretty tough mate. Music is a gift to lift our spirits, so if you are finding music ministry miserable, then I think that’s really sad.

Personally I’d never encourage someone to continue in a ministry if they felt like that. I think it would ultimately be counter-productive for everyone involved.

Craig Schwarze - 20 August 2007 04:38 PM

That sounds pretty tough mate. Music is a gift to lift our spirits, so if you are finding music ministry miserable, then I think that’s really sad.

Personally I’d never encourage someone to continue in a ministry if they felt like that. I think it would ultimately be counter-productive for everyone involved.

Aye, I have in the past tried music ministry (I play the piano and sing), but have refused to do so again. I hate it. Sadly, I know of friends who play music at their church primarily because no-one wants to do it, and they happen to be more gracious and patient than myself.

[quote author="Jeff Atack"]I’d suggest that others serving in the Sunday service could also put in longer prep times, for example a bible reader could prepare in such a way as to communicate the passage from memory, in a dramatized way.

Oh I agree here, I’ve run seminars and workshops in which I’ve urged Bible readers to take at least an hour before-hand to prepare their reading, and I’m often frustrated by the poor readings I hear at many local churches. People seem to think that it’s a job which anyone can do, but like music I’d rather see the job go to those who actually do it well.

In regards to using our talents for the sake of the body, I agree except that it ought to be done freely and cheerfully. If someone feels pressured or guilted into performing a particular service, then I think that reflects poorly on the church, and is only going to cause harm over time.