See Psalm 33:2-3
Some people are not taught the difference between being a performer and being a worshipper.
A NOTE TO CHOIRS
It is your calling to help the congregation sing better. If you sing in a choir, you are musician that serves the congregation with your gifts.
A MUSICIAN'S CHECKLIST
(1). How can I best accompany the congregations singing? - You are there to help God's people sing. Only fools think their artistry is more important than serving the congregation.(2). Am I a team player? - Your purpose is to draw the church together not to divide between the state and the rest of the room. Don't play in a way that makes it hard for people to jump in and sing. You might need to simplify the lines you play, straighten our a line you're singing, turn the volume down on your amp, take an in-ear monitor out so you can hear the congregation. When you can, you should sing with joy and passion while you play. Aim to make the entries into verses and choruses clear so that the congregation knows where you are in a song. Accept the role you play in any given song.(3). Am I practicing and preparing properly? - We must prepare thoroughly to play well for God's people. It should never be done to anything less than our best. If you commit to playing, commit to loving people in your church enough to prepare well. Though we work and have other responsibilities, there is a cost to serving if you're a musician. Get a good nights rest on Saturday night. Be punctual and organized. Be prayerful before you arrive."The goal of practice ins't doing something until you get it right. It's doing it until you can't get it wrong." -- Bob Kaufliln(4). Do I love my leadership and my church family? - Not all, but generally musicians are notorious for being socially sensitive and emotionally inconsistent. Make sure your aim is promote unity even at the expense of your personal preferences. Prayerfully honor your church leaders and music leader without grumbling or complaining.(5). Am I growing my gifting? - Try to grow in your music abilities. Take voice/music lessons. Record your playing and listen to it and analyze it. Ask for advice from better musicians. Constantly be listening to great music and surround yourself with creative people. Most of all, grow in your love for Christ."Grow in your musical gifting but make sure your faith grows even faster." -- John Lennox
FIVE QUESTIONS FOR PRODUCTION TEAMS
These folks serve behind the scenes and tend to be criticized when technical issues are but they are not applauded when things go well. If you are reading this and you are not a member of your church's tech/production team, please find them this Sunday and thank them.
(1). Am I favoring the congregations singing in my balancing of the sound? - People have different opinions on the sound loudness in the room. It's a subjective thing. Most meeting places aren't designed for group singing. This means sometimes the sound might need to be turned down. Sometimes it means the sounds needs to be turned up.(2). Are the words clear to the congregation? - The job of the person running the screen is very important. Anticipate the breath of a congregation to make sure lyric transition happen before they are ready to sing the next phrase. Don't come in at the beginning of a phrase or mid-word. The words to be sung must be visible to the eye before they are sung. If you come it late or exactly on time, the singing will stop. Make sure any videos displayed are not a distraction to what is being sung.(3). Have I remembered I am not working in a stadium or large theater? - Don't be discourage when our sound or lighting isn't like that of a conference or concern. Do the best with the space and resources we have. For thousands of years the church had none of this.(4). Am I paying attention to detail? - Administrative gifts are a Godsend.(5). Is my heart in the right place? - Pray about your role beforehand. Remember who you are serving. Success is measured in knowing that you did your best to help the congregation sing.
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