Bass-ette
10-08-2007, 08:46 PM
I guess I just need some fresh ears/someone who can relate and can be objective.
I play bass in a worship band in another church in my community. This church experienced a split a few years back and lost a large portion of their congregation. (I don't know the details - don't want to know.) Since then, they have a new pastor (2 years?) and last year they hired a new Music Minister. He's not a musician - has a background as a choir director. The church wanted to have 2 services - one traditional/hymns/piano, the other contemporary/P&W/band. There were scarce few musicians in the church. The pianist they hired happened to be the keyboard player in another band I'm in, asked me to help for a time, my church was covered musician-wise, so that's how God led me there to serve for this season.
While I'm fine with the differences in the disputable matters between their church and mine (very few, actually) and like their pastor fine, and the people have all been very appreciative of my service, and I've been blessed to see the church grow and thrive in the year I've been helping out, there is one thing that makes it increasingly difficult for me to continue serving there: the worship leader.
I really think he sees this as his own personal Carnegie Hall or something. I just don't get the impression his heart is truly focused on worshiping God and pointing to Jesus. The praise team (singers) serve as backup singers. He's not a musician, but insists we change tempo mid-song, changes melodies and arrangements during rehearsals, then does it completely different during service on Sunday mornings which throws everyone off, of course - including the congregation. Gets irritated with us when we ask that the arrangements follow the lead sheets to minimize confusion or that we at least do the songs the same way each time rather than re-writing them each time. He talks over the instrumental introductions and interludes, heedless of what the music is doing, then just starts singing whenever no matter where we are in the chord progression. (Then has something to say when that threatens to cause a train wreck.) Lots of talking during instrumental breaks. LOTS! All songs done fast - doesn't matter what song. (Refiner's Fire like a runaway train!!) Ends EVERY song by repeating the last line three times - third time ritardando. Every time.
And so forth.
I'm really hesitant to even share this much - I don't want to be gossipy. My efforts to encourage him to allow us, as musicians, to use our skills to provide the accompaniment and to trust our musicianship have been met with a bit of arrogance; "No, I want to do it this way...Just do what accompanists are supposed to do; follow me no matter where I go with it...We can change these arrangements any time we want, even during service...The lyrics may be deep and the song may always be played slowly, but I want to do it fast..."
Which is true to some extent, right?
And, like I said, it's not my church. But until the Lord releases me from serving there, I really believe I am to stay. And I have been very blessed to play with very skillful and talented musicians (who also voice frustrations, but don't feel they can say anything). The sound system and acoustics in the room are wonderful. And it's a beautiful room with a precious church family looking up at us every morning and my heart just goes out to them as they struggle to re-build their broken body. I just want to grab a mic and say, "Don't look at us - we're a mess. Look at Jesus!"
So! How can I approach this guy with so many frustrations? Do I just pick my biggest one and let the rest go? Or are they all stemming from the same thing? Should I leave even though my prayer has been that I will serve until the Lord makes it clear that I can go (replacement bassist, perhaps) just as He was very clear in bringing me there to begin with? Is this just part of my own sanctification process and I just need to shut up and lay on the roots like a good little bassist? Is it possible that the heart issue is with me and not him?
I mean, I'm totally open to whatever. I've prayed my way through this post and am trusting God to use you folks' experience and wisdom to speak into my life on this issue.
Thanks in advance,
I play bass in a worship band in another church in my community. This church experienced a split a few years back and lost a large portion of their congregation. (I don't know the details - don't want to know.) Since then, they have a new pastor (2 years?) and last year they hired a new Music Minister. He's not a musician - has a background as a choir director. The church wanted to have 2 services - one traditional/hymns/piano, the other contemporary/P&W/band. There were scarce few musicians in the church. The pianist they hired happened to be the keyboard player in another band I'm in, asked me to help for a time, my church was covered musician-wise, so that's how God led me there to serve for this season.
While I'm fine with the differences in the disputable matters between their church and mine (very few, actually) and like their pastor fine, and the people have all been very appreciative of my service, and I've been blessed to see the church grow and thrive in the year I've been helping out, there is one thing that makes it increasingly difficult for me to continue serving there: the worship leader.
I really think he sees this as his own personal Carnegie Hall or something. I just don't get the impression his heart is truly focused on worshiping God and pointing to Jesus. The praise team (singers) serve as backup singers. He's not a musician, but insists we change tempo mid-song, changes melodies and arrangements during rehearsals, then does it completely different during service on Sunday mornings which throws everyone off, of course - including the congregation. Gets irritated with us when we ask that the arrangements follow the lead sheets to minimize confusion or that we at least do the songs the same way each time rather than re-writing them each time. He talks over the instrumental introductions and interludes, heedless of what the music is doing, then just starts singing whenever no matter where we are in the chord progression. (Then has something to say when that threatens to cause a train wreck.) Lots of talking during instrumental breaks. LOTS! All songs done fast - doesn't matter what song. (Refiner's Fire like a runaway train!!) Ends EVERY song by repeating the last line three times - third time ritardando. Every time.
And so forth.
I'm really hesitant to even share this much - I don't want to be gossipy. My efforts to encourage him to allow us, as musicians, to use our skills to provide the accompaniment and to trust our musicianship have been met with a bit of arrogance; "No, I want to do it this way...Just do what accompanists are supposed to do; follow me no matter where I go with it...We can change these arrangements any time we want, even during service...The lyrics may be deep and the song may always be played slowly, but I want to do it fast..."
Which is true to some extent, right?
And, like I said, it's not my church. But until the Lord releases me from serving there, I really believe I am to stay. And I have been very blessed to play with very skillful and talented musicians (who also voice frustrations, but don't feel they can say anything). The sound system and acoustics in the room are wonderful. And it's a beautiful room with a precious church family looking up at us every morning and my heart just goes out to them as they struggle to re-build their broken body. I just want to grab a mic and say, "Don't look at us - we're a mess. Look at Jesus!"
So! How can I approach this guy with so many frustrations? Do I just pick my biggest one and let the rest go? Or are they all stemming from the same thing? Should I leave even though my prayer has been that I will serve until the Lord makes it clear that I can go (replacement bassist, perhaps) just as He was very clear in bringing me there to begin with? Is this just part of my own sanctification process and I just need to shut up and lay on the roots like a good little bassist? Is it possible that the heart issue is with me and not him?
I mean, I'm totally open to whatever. I've prayed my way through this post and am trusting God to use you folks' experience and wisdom to speak into my life on this issue.
Thanks in advance,