Full time Worship Pastors, when did you start

[carguy1]

I am 32 years old and only in the last several weeks started leading worship. I have been a part of the worship team for a few years, but only recently became the guy in the front. I have felt for some time that God was wanting me involved in ministry in more then just a casual manner. I would love to get a degree in church music and pursue this thing full time. I would also like to be able to teach music. Anyways, I have a bachelors degree in business, so I wouldn't be completely starting over, but there would be an aweful lot of classes that I would have to take. I have been told that at 32 years of age it would be very difficult to be successful in full time music ministry. I was told that at my age I should be closer to an expert level then a beginner. I have been involved in music since I was 12 or 13, but never lead worship until now. So, I am interested to see among the full time worship pastors on here, how old were you when you started? Also, how did you prepare, what is your educational background?

Now, how many part-timers and volunteers do we have among the group. I would like to know that as well.

Ultimately I know that if this is God's will, then he can make me successful. However, I also believe that God intends us, as Christians, to seek the counsel of other Christians. So, counsel away fellow followers of Christ. Thanks.

[russhutto]

I've been full-time for 5 or 6 years. Part-time before that since I was about 20. volunteer since about 15. I'm 30 now.

My education (which is not fully complete) is in Music Theory/Composition. Kind of stinks though because when I was about a semester from completing my bachelors I was offered a full-time position in music ministry. I jumped at the offer, when I probably should have asked them to wait for that last semester. Now 6 years later, I look back and think, dang, I wish I had that degree.

But, in the big picture, I'm right where God wants me, and as soon as my wife graduates this coming May with her Master's hopefully I'll begin to explore options for completing my degree.

[worshiptheKing]

I'm 34- similar story to yours about being involved and more recently moving to a leadership position. Mine is part time. I don't know why you couldn't be successful full time. I don't think being a worship leader is as much about being a vituoso instrumentalist as much as it is about being a good leader/administrator and having the right heart about it. I certainly am not the greatest guitar player, but I can bang out enough chords to be useful until someone comes along that I can give it to. Don't get me wrong- being skilful on you rinstrument or with your voice should be a priority, but not being a virtuoso shouldn't determine whether or not you are successful. I live on the philosophy that God does not called the equipped, He equips the called. That has definitely been my case.

[milepost13]

my dad's a pastor. My entire family (two sisters) has musical talent of some kind. My dad used to lead the worship when I was growing up. I got involved as a teen. Went to college for a year. Interned as worship leader that next summer and off and on for the next few years. Changed school and majors to study music/worship. Got my first full-time position and began the day after returning from my honeymoon. That was 3.5 years ago.

Nate

[worshiptrench]

Garage bands including a full cover of Rush's 2112 until they shut the curtain on us in 8th grade. Started as music minor in college but burned out on it. Loved the theory, etc. but got tired of living in the practice on French Horn at that...as to worship.

Now, I am 38. I started leading worship in college before Maranatha Band's first album came out and Louie Giglio had just started Choice at Baylor. Slowly but surely, God increased our sphere of influence until I put a band together (dropknee) and we toured the US in the "generation" just before Tomlin and Crowder and while Sam Perry (early passion) was a mentor.

My undergrad was in Geopolitics as I fully expected to go into the US Foreign Service Core. God had other plans. So I went to Seminary and got my Masters in New Testament Theology and have a few post Master's hours. While traveling I always worked in a church plant. I finally wanted to get off the road. The years were rewarding but I had eaten at every Denny's in America and my wife and I wanted to start having children. I didn't want to be gone 200 nights a year. So when NorthWood called, it was a fit and 9 years later here we are. Now I also preach half the time and direct communications department.

Non-ministry jobs included semi-pro triathelete, swimming coach, and distance running consultant for HS distance runners who got tired of fat football coaches tellling them what to run in workouts.

[garyhodges]

Got a bachelor's in music business. Started a production company (nights and weekends - planning to have our own lable). Moved from Nashville to FL to build a house for my in-laws with plans to move back. God had other plans.

While in FL got involved playing keys in a worship band. God laid it on my heart to study worship. A few months late, the worship leader resigned. I spoke to the pastor, but he wasn't sure about my leadership potential (long hair, earring).

9 months later was asked to fill in. 1 month later asked to be interim. 6 months later made full-time. I was 27 then.

14 years later resigned my post and am now doing missionary work in Worship Development and Resources.

Couldn't have planned it if I'd tried.

[sicstrings]

I'm 36 and I started as a volunteer (bgv), did that for about 8 years. Two of those years I played a role that included some teaching within the team. That teaching was more like a devotional leader. A little over 4 years ago our full time Worship leader moved on to another church. At that time the leadership of our church appraoched me to consider accepting a part-time position to lead our Sunday morning gatherings. For the past 4 years I have been paid on a part time basis as the Worship leader (front guy/singing/acoustic guitar). My musicial experience is just that, experience. Music was in my house since birth. My only formal musical training is from High School band, I played the trumpet and a little piano. So the last 4 years I've crammed in every amount of music theory I can find, mostly from hanging out with other that understand music better than I do.

[Stevie Nature]

I'm volunteering at my church for the time being. We're a new church. Just a year old in October. Originally I was supposed just fill in leading until we could hire someone...well a year later the leadership has told me that they think I'm doing a good job and would like to start paying me. I was planning on going away to seminary, but (as I'm sure you know) houses aren't exactly selling here in Florida, so I'm not going anywhere for a while. Looking back I can definitely see God's providence in the whole situation. The church needed a worship leader and God has kept me here for this purpose. As it stands currently I'll be taking classes online, doing ministry part-time, and working full time. I'm going to teach high school this coming school year, which will free up a little more time for summer classes and such.

As far as education goes, I have a B.A. in Biblical Studies, and am working towards a M. Div. I was going to double major and get a degree in music as well, but I'd have to have stayed another year to complete all the remaining credit hours. I decided against it. In the end most of my electives were music related so I got plenty of music education, just nothing to hang on the wall.

I definitely agree with Spurs4SC, "God does not call the equipped, He equips the called." I've definitely see that worked out in my own life. I was good at the theory part of things, decent at playing music, but wasn't much of a vocalist. Now that I've been thrust into things, God has equipped me in this area as well.

[carguy1]

Gary, are you still in Florida? If so where?

[patdryburgh]

I'm 22 and started full-time in February 2007. I am a Bible college drop out.

Wow... my story isn't quite the same as some of the others!

[carguy1]

I'm learning that there is no "typical" story.