Problem with my worship team.

[Guest CrossTheRiver]

Last Sunday exposed a clear problem with our worship team. But before I get to that; some background.

We have a diverse group of musicians and a busy yet troubled lead worship pasteur. Our youngest member is 16, plays the bass. I, 19, run the sound.

My mother mid 40's, pianist. Two guitarists in their 40's as well, and our drummer and head pasteur, 30 something.

The generation gap is troubling. Only the tip of the iceberg.

So last sunday is one of those off-days you get when practicing the songs we are to sing. We do up-beat alternative rock for our gospel music. So anyway, that stuff hits the fan early on, and I'm catching all their crap because they can't hear themselves, blah blah blah. Then one of our two guitarists decides I can get stuffed, he's gonna do his own sound, blares his amp. So now everyone is losing their temper, and at the worst moment, the best friend of the unruly guitarist walks in, and "saves the day". The smug jerk comes in and acts like he's running the show, then smarts off saying and I quote word for word "See? I'm here five minutes and everything sounds better."

Bottom line is, I suppose I'm just ranting. I have a pretty good idea what I'm going to do, but the unruly guitarist is still going to do the same crap regardless.

So, advice or comments would be awesome. Thanks.

[Leonard]

Musicians are always a tempremental lot!

[IreneM]

first off Pray about it ask the Lord if HE wants you there then if you get a yes stay and try to find a way to make it all work out

if the answer is no then withdraw from the worship team and tell them the Lord has told you it is time to give it up.

Since your mom is part of the team ask her to pray also...........

just a suggestion

In Christ

IreneM

[nebula]

Did you say the head pastor is the drummer?

And he didn't do anything about this?

Hoo-boy - if you have the guts, you might want to ask the one guitarist if he's up there to worship and exalt the Lord or to exalt himself?

This is sounding to me like not a genrational gap issue - I've been a part of a worship band with a slight diversity in age - but a pride issue.

The leader needs to be in charge, and everyone else needs to be submitted to the leader.

I can respect the difficulty you have to deal with - sound can be fincky for some reason.

It might be a good idea for you to spend time with the Lord to release the anger and frustration you are dealing with so that you can approach this issue with a more clear head and not surrender to anger when things hit the fan again.

I'm not saying you don't have a right to be frustrated; I mean that you need to guard against bitterness and desiring "revenge" of any kind - you know?

Prayers that all gets sorted out - in the name of Jesus!

[Guest Bro David™]

Hoo-boy - if you have the guts, you might want to ask the one guitarist if he's up there to worship and exalt the Lord or to exalt himself?

I think that is a good question. But, we all need to do that.

I can't sing worth nothin', just terrible. I mean, the dogs howl, etc. I do sing during worship, I didn't used to. I figured out I was not singing for myself or others in the church, I was letting God know how much I loved Him. I have a very deep voice that carries, (remember Bowser from Sha Na Na? ) so I am careful about the "volume", but past that I just let 'er rip.

If the Holy Spirit is in your church, then the music is Heavenly, if not, no matter how good your think it sounds, it is not pleasing to God.

As far as your specific problem. I do have one suggestion. Make a recording of one of your practice sessions, arguing or whatever included, then give each a copy and let them listen to it alone. This could be the best possible solution, no confrontation. If those involved are there to serve the Lord not themselves with their worship, your problem may solve itself.

Just my 2/100ths of a buck's worth.

Good luck.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That was some solid advice dude.

Way to Go !

[Guest yod]

From the sound of this limited information, I'd think that you did something to disrespect this old guy.

Old guys who play guitars are probably frustrated by a youngster who is better than them so you have to be extremely sensitive to ego problems. It shouldn't be that way...but it is.

If you want to remain on the team, forgive him and be graceful. Show the old folks how a christian handles this...

[Guest CrossTheRiver]

Good stuff. I agree with everything mentioned. I can be certain that we all have lost sight, especially in the heat of the moment, of our true purpose in worshiping. I don't think he is any more or less guilty of exalting himself than I or anyone else. I know he's irritated with me, but that's because he's screwing things up. Not because of anything I am doing or not doing. The spam hits the spicket thursday.

As for God's will, I feel that this one is my call. I was put on the worship team for a reason, but God is an understanding God, and so I sensed that it would be ok if I left the team, but better if amends were made.

I prayed and was directed to the applicable scripture to deal with the problem. Well, actually i didn;t get a chance to pray, it was more like, "Get your bible and turn to so-and-so" which I believe was Romans and corithians.

I have faith that things will work for the best.

[toddlermom]

i am also on the worship team at my church....you need to read "Heart of the Artist" it is a wonderful book for worship teams. it deals with different peoples personalities. Artistic people are very moody.... you need to sit down and talk

with everyone, and everybody just get the problems out on the table, instead of everyone harboring ill feelings.

[Work in Progress]

I think your worship team needs to get together just for a prayer meeting. Then, everyone has to pray for another member of the team. Not "help him overcome his super-huge ego, Lord, and help him play better 'cause he stinks", it has to be something positive and uplifting about the other person. If people are reluctant, draw names out of a hat. There is a serious need for humility among the team and praying for others will help bring that about.

And be sure to start every single practice with the same type of praying.

Hope the situation improves!