Skill Lids
One of the things that can keep a congregation from worshiping God is being distracted by unprepared musicians or teachers. What are some things that keep us from getting more skillful at our instrument or voice technique?
- Lack of desire to get better. This can come from thinking that you’re already good enough or it can come from believing that it doesn’t matter to do things with skill and that “God accepts us just the way we are.” While that is true, it is a Biblical concept to play with skill and also a Biblical concept to do things to the best of our abilities, doing everything we do for the Glory of Jesus. There is always room for improvement and it is so important that we are life long learners. If you are struggling with a lack of desire to get better, you might want to take a listen to this great message from Ken Boer and Pat Sczebel.
- Not practicing. So many worship team members think that it’s okay to just show up for rehearsal without preparation and then show up for the service without practicing. Why do we expect the pastor to spend literally hours upon hours preparing for the message but we’re fine with the musicians putting in only practice with the team but not any personal preparation? Not only does practicing make you a better player or singer, it’s makes you less of a distraction during a meeting because you are confident at what you’re doing and can look like you’re enjoying yourself and worshiping God instead of being buried in the music.
- Not listening to a variety of styles and genres, or just plain not listening to anything. It is so important that we constantly listen to music for inspiration and examples. Listen to new songs, listen to old songs, listen to rock songs, listen to jazz songs, listen to chant, listen to everything you can listen to (as long as it does not focus your mind away from God with its message.) Pick out your specific instrument or listen closely to how the vocals blend.
- Along with that, we limit our skill by declaring that we only like a particular style of worship. It is just as dangerous to proclaim that we can only worship “contemporary” music as well as proclaiming that we can only worship with hymns. Take in both and take in a lot of both.
Can you think of any more skill lids?
Great post! That first bullet goes for tech team people as well. If you are not continuing to learn about audio, video, lighting, graphic art, etc. then you are hindering the Holy Spirit working through you and more than likely your attitude is not worshipful to begin with.
To musicians and vocalist: Trust me when I say that it is very obvious to everyone in the room when you haven’t practiced or don’t know a song. No one will probably say anything to you but they should. You become a distraction and keep people from being engaged in worship.
Comment by Ernie Stevenson — March 21, 2008 @ 7:34 am
Definitely. It is very important to be prepared.
It’s very interesting to me that when you’re attitude is in the right place, the better you are at what you do combined with a humble heart actually makes you less visible.
It’s the opposite from the world’s view that the better you get the more visible you should make yourself!
Comment by Ryan — March 21, 2008 @ 8:25 am
fear.
i think musicians (including myself) can get insecure about our talents - afraid we’re gonna totally mess up a song - and then never permit ourselves to really take it to the next level.
i think our fear of failure can dang near become self-fulfilling prophecy.
Comment by mandy — March 28, 2008 @ 11:13 am