Gruuve Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Hey comrades: So, most of you know that my "main gig" nowadays is the church worship band. I rotate between bass and drums, and usually play 2-3 (occasionally 4) times per month. Our church (www.lifepointechurch.org) is not a typical Christian church (or not typical as far as my experiences). We do worship music that, for the most part, is Christian rock. Some songs are mellow, some songs are pretty rocked-up. We play with essentially a full band (not a vocalist with a karaoke machine or an acoustic guitarist with a drum machine like some "contemporary church services" in the local area.) LifePointe's main mission is to reach the relatively un-churched. The messages that are delivered are generally very relevant to most folks' lives, whether they are believers or not yet. I certainly think (actually, I know) that the music is a big part of getting people in the door and keeping them coming back (it certainly sucked me in!). Most of the musicians in the worship band are quite competent, and the congregation seems to really enjoy that we are "a real band". Our lead pastor a while back gently asked for more showmanship from the band. Now, in all fairness, that's probably directed at one or two people who usually stand in one spot and play without moving anything other than their hands (and note that I'm not at all criticizing them...these people are great players). I'm probably the opposite...it's all I can do to not fall off the stage in the little 3' x 3' area I usually have to work in. I can't stand still and play a song that has anything that remotely resembles a groove. And I'm the same on drums...there's no way I can sit perfectly still and play. Anyway, coming from rock, metal, and funk/metal bands in a past life, I've got a lot of flash I can throw out, although I try to keep it very tasteful and appropriate to the scenario. Last Sunday, I was playing drums. On one rocked-up song that I really like I was really propelling the band forward and building a lot of "musical energy" that was spilling over to the congregation. On the chorus of this song (which is the high point of the song), I started doing this visual thing that's a little hard to explain...it involves switching from hand to hand during the groove and doing a big roundhouse swing alternating with each arm prior to whacking the snare. (This probably isn't making any sense...if you've ever seen Peter Criss with KISS or Tommy Lee with Motley Crue, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about, because those guys are who I learned it from many years ago.) Anyway, this fairly simple visual really injected energy into the congregation...everyone was up on their feet, and a few folks started slinging their hands back over heads imitating me...it was pretty hysterical and just a whole lot of fun (the way music...even worship music...should be!). I was having a blast. I'm pretty certain some of my energy spilled over to the other musicians as well...we were locked-in pretty tight and really cranking out a groove! Anyway, one of the older folks came up to me afterwards and was jibbing me about being a "show-off", which got me to thinking...I really didn't intend this to be a "look-at-me" kind of thing...I was doing what I could to inject some professional showmanship into our performance. (If the old feller thought this was "showing off", he would've probably had a heart attack if he'd seen me playing with my last metal band 15+ years ago!) I was actually a little concerned that perhaps I had over-stepped that fine line of too much vs. too little showmanship. Then, I got a note from the lead pastor saying "you did a great job today...you always brings enthusiasm to the stage and that's contagious!". So apparently he didn't perceive it as a "look-at-me" thing, he perceived as me injecting some showmanship into our performance, which was my intention. Anyway, I'm just curious about thoughts from other folks who play in worship bands, particularly ones who might be focused on (say) the young to middle-aged professional crowd. How much showmanship is enough versus too much? I'm thinking, given our church's main focus is to reach the un-churched, that probably erring on the side of too much is preferable to too little (within reason, of course). Let's face it, if we look bored playing the music, how on earth can we expect the congregation to be moved by it? I think this is especially relevant when you consider that some percentage of the congregation may just be enjoying the music and hasn't really had the message behind it all sink in yet. I generally attack most things with at least an intention of excellence (don't always achieve that of course). IMHO, our goal should be to deliver excellence in all parts of the performance (playing, showmanship, sound reinforcement, everything). After all, if someone comes to church just to hear the worship band, isn't that still better than not coming at all? Anyway, I'm interested in thoughts from my fellow worship band peers here. Dave Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs. - Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 It's tough when you get mixed signals like that -- on party tells you to do more of something, another faction saying do less. And in all honesty, this is very subjective. But generally speaking, I'm not a big fan of "showboating" during praise. There's a distinct difference between performance and praise. It's not a "show" or a "gig." It's worship, and the purpose is not to draw attention to yourself, but to help people focus on worshipping God. Anything that detracts from or conflicts with that focus should be avoided. Again, I'm not saying you're doing anything wrong. And there's certainly nothing wrong with wanting to play excellently -- I'm pretty sure praise music isn't supposed to suck. But I would suggest that anything that the congregation (not audience) finds distracting is probably not right for a worship service. BTW, I lived in Raleigh (Holly Springs, actually) for about eight years -- Fat Sound in Cary was one of my favorite music stores. I moved back to the Northeast five years ago. I still miss Raleigh every day. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottle12am Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Ah, the all-terrific church worship band. In the worship bands I've been in, I've gotten complimented and rebuked in the same day for my playing style by the pastor (two seperate services the same morning); seen my band get unplugged by a pastor for getting excited onstage (though the congregation was really being moved by the Spirit and doing much more than we were doing on stage); played 'air bass' one day when music leader pulled the 'God called me to be leader so what I say goes' card; had two practices in a week cancelled when the pastor's wife felt the need to hold impromptu prayer services in the auditorium instead of an auxillary room; and once even had to sign a contract once written by the pastor that concerned overplaying which stated 'the worship band is not a place for individual talent'. Let that last line sink in for a while. So yes, as bad as things get in 'secular' bands, I think the pressure is 10x worse in worship bands, with drama caused by Christian musicians that are supposed to love each other and have the same vision. Band leader egos are inflated with the 'God called me to do this (so if you have a different opinion, you're disobeying God)' card; you have to deal with several bosses, including the worship leader AND the pastor - who may not have any understanding of the work that goes into playing; unlike other bands where problems are exposed when people throw crap at each other and curse at each other and problems are settled over a beer afterwards, much of the ego stuff in churches gets suppressed, only to be exposed via gossip, a dirty look, or the pre-service prayer. Not to make Worship bands or Christian bands sound bad; just saying there are a whole different set of rules and problems inherent. "Women and rhythm section first" -- JFP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 My feelings are along the same lines as jcadmus'. Bear in mind that I come from old-school Pentecostalism, where we were constantly being warned about self-glorification. At the same time, when I played bass in a worship band I found that I sort of instinctively danced around a bit. Don't know what the congregation thought of it except that friend said "Half the enjoyment of listening to you play bass is watching you play bass." That troubled me, because of my background; at the same time I knew my little steps were a natural expresion for me. Because I now play "lead guitar" in the worship band I sit down and try not to draw attention to myself because that's what feels most right to me. I'm sure your heart is pure. I do question the motive of a pastor who asks for "more showmanship". If you pray about what's right God will give you the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruuve Posted February 21, 2006 Author Share Posted February 21, 2006 Thanks for the posts, guys. I have mixed feelings about the whole thing as well. Our previous worship pastor, although a super nice guy (except at rehearsals) did have some difficulty keeping his ego in check. Each morning before sound check, he'd say a prayer to help us all remember that this was about God and not about us, to take us out of the picture. I quickly realized that his prayer was directed at himself. He pretty much wanted all of us to stand perfectly still and play so that he could be the center of attention. It got quite annoying. Funny story...I was playing drums with this guy once, using a double-kick pedal. This particular fellow had some odd aversion to a double-kick pedal. We were playing this one song for sound check where there's a certain lick that's just easier to do with a both feet rather than one, so I was using both feet. He stopped us and said "don't use the double pedal." I said "OK, no prob". We started the song again, and I played the lick with one foot this time. He stopped us again, turned around and said "Take the double-pedal off the kit!". I said "Why?". He said "it doesn't sound right". I said, "Dude, I'm doing the whole song with one foot...what more do you want?" He said, "Take the double pedal off". I said "No." He shut up, and we sound checked the song. He asked me later in the week to not bring the double kick-pedal with me again. I said "If if makes you more comfortable, I'll leave it at home. Would you consider taking one string off of your acoustic guitar?" The deer-in-the-headlights look was classic. Comparing him to the interim worship leader that we've worked with while church was looking for a new music pastor, he was jumping up and down, and getting people in the congregation going, and encouraging us do the same thing. He didn't have nearly as much ego as the prior music pastor, so it wasn't about himself, his energies were directed at getting people in the congregation involved and excited about what was going on. (It worked for the most part...however, the same intensity each week did get old.) I personally think getting the congregation involved is a good thing. My personal thoughts on it are that I'm going to be myself. If it's a mellow song (say during communion), then I'll be as invisible as possible. If it's a song whose purpose is to get the congregation up out of their seats, singing, clapping, dancing, whatever, then I will do what comes naturally to me in that case. Presumably, that's the way God created me, so that should be OK. If the lead pastor or music pastor asks for more or less, I'll give them whatever they ask for, within reason of course. Bottle, the contract addressing overplaying is pretty hysterical! There's no room for individual talent in the worship band? Then go pick people randomly off the streets to play the instruments! Wouldn't true talent include knowing how to not overplay? I understand the spirit of the wording, but the implication sure is comical...I don't think I'd want to hear a worship band where that mandate was literally implemented. Dave Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs. - Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlrush Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 I feel for you Dave. Our worship band is subject to criticism frequently, mainly because about 15% of the congregation is older than 60, have been members for a long time, and don't necessarily care for the music. We are a non denominational Christian church and are pretty conservative. Alot of folks are not very demonstative during worship, then there are others who are, so we have a mix. Our music is like yours, Christian rock; some mellow songs and some that really get with it. We don't try to be showy, but we don't hold back when the Spirit moves us either. I can't ever stay still and play, and neither can our drummers. Some like it and some don't. We truly only have an audience of one, and that is God, and we merely try to bring the congregation along with us. What you were doing wouldn't have distracted me, I would have liked it. But I guess it may have distracted the older genleman you mentioned. Do you know him well? Does he dislike this new church music? Some folks just seem to look for something to pick apart. That may not be the way things are at your church, but it happens here. As musicians it's natural for us to want people to like our music. Music is a powerful force in worship and can be very personal to each person there. In that light I can understand why some people complain. Maybe you can speak to the old boy and clear things up. He still probably won't see things your way though. As for me, I'm for it if the Spirit is in it. Visit my band's new web site. www.themojoroots.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruuve Posted February 21, 2006 Author Share Posted February 21, 2006 Heh heh...most of the congregation is I'd say between 20-40 years old, but there are quite a few fairly old folks (60+ year olds). In general, most of the older folks don't like the music we do. However, they come to this church under their own free will and sit through it anyway because they know there's maybe one or two other churches in the area that do worship this way, and all of us are spilling over with new people, most of which are in the 20-40 year old range...relatively young professionals, some single, and some families. Anyway, I don't know the older fella that well...I've talked to him a few times, but don't even remember his name. I really don't think he meant any harm by his comments. I did tell him at the time that it wasn't about me, it was about sharing the energy of the particular song with the congregation, which he probably only half understood. But that's all fine...everyone is entitled to their opinion Dave Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs. - Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottomgottem Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 I may go completly out of my depth here... Many of the Psalms are about joy and praise. Quite a few of them also list a specific instrumentation for that particular Psalm. Those Psalms were written to try to express the unfathomable happiness in the heart of the writer. Dancing, clapping hands, singing, etc... are ligitimate responses to that joy. I think that this both natural and very Christian. If the little hand trick you pulled off was done because you felt full of the Spirit and you wanted to express that, then by all means twirl your sticks, bounce 'em off your toms, or whatever you feel like. You obviously have the pastor's blessing. Do not let a minority go all Footloose on you and bring you down. The pastor is ultimately responsible for the direction the church community takes. If he's O.K. with it, then you be O.K. with it. However, common sense should be your guide. If you begin to feel the need to perform with just a sock thrown over your "package", then it may be time to tone down a bit. My whole trick is to keep the tune well out in front. If I play Tchaikovsky, I play his melodies and skip his spiritual struggle. ~Liberace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlrush Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 In 7 yrs I'll be of that age of 60 somethings and you know what? I don't think the music will bother me at all. I grew up in the 60's. Well I was going to say earlier and decided not, that there are lots of other churches here where the older ones could go that would be more to their liking, but they want to stay where they are. And we've even gone through a change of Senior Ministers this past year. Some here would rather stay and complain because they've "been here" so long and don't think they should have to move. It's a "You should be like us" attitude. Oh well! These things are as predictable as beer in a bar. Visit my band's new web site. www.themojoroots.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruuve Posted February 21, 2006 Author Share Posted February 21, 2006 Originally posted by Bottomgottem: However, common sense should be your guide. If you begin to feel the need to perform with just a sock thrown over your "package", then it may be time to tone down a bit. That's what I meant when I said "tasteful". I'm too thick-skinned (or would that be thick-headed? ) to let most criticism's bother me anyway. This is pretty much exactly my sentiments. Praise and worship music should be an uplifting thing for everyone involved. That's the whole idea after all. Dave Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs. - Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scyzoryk Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 You have it easy Dave. We always get the "You're too loud!" from the pastor... even when adjusting for sound. :-/ You can't please everyone in the congregation. If so, you'd be like the pharisees. Just keep in mind that dancing and that type of behaviour is a product of joy... don't let anything stop that joy. And also remember that if you know eyes are being set on you, then they're being taken off Him. ~scyzoryk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottomgottem Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Yeah. Your pastor will let you know if you go over the top. Rock out, dude. My whole trick is to keep the tune well out in front. If I play Tchaikovsky, I play his melodies and skip his spiritual struggle. ~Liberace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassaddik Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 it's all about God. It's not about the band and it certainly is not about the pastor,with all dues respect. It's not about pleasing the older guy, either. It's about worshipping God , and that is one of the many wonderful things about good praise, that all kinds , young and old , black and white or whatever, come together for one common denominator: Jesus. It is sad when we see dividing lines in a church. Anyone who judges someon in church needs to rethink why they are there. So, if you are feeling the Spirit, let it go and worry not. Pray on it, if you feel like whatever you are doing is artificial, think about it. Maybe you should recheck yourself. If it is genuine joy and excitement, I am sure the Lord smiles upon you. Keep it real, it's between you and the Lord. Praise ye the LORD. ....praise him with stringed instruments and organs... Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. excerpt from- Psalm 150 visit me at: www.adriangarcia.net for His glory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimmegroove Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Well, from a bit of a non-christian point of view, i can maybe inject some advice. Let me start by saying that I grew up in a protestant home, and have been to many services in my life. But i guess i just lost the interest at some point (although i take spirituality very seriously, and learn from it every day). To the point. Many times when it comes to worship, it feels like a very controlled scenario. I for one am of the belief that artistic expression is worship to the Overseeing Spirit (God, if you will), and that can be singing, playing music, dancing (or just a simple smile for that matter.) Thus I think that your little drum-dance is definately a good thing at a worship session (if that's what u call it)... Just my 2 cents Current set-up: Ibanez SR3005 into a Mesa WalkAbout head with a Mesa 2x10 Powerhouse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groover Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 As church musicians, we are responsible for leading the congregation in worship. We do this by engaging in worship ourselves. If your motivation is to manipulate the congregation through performance, then I don't think your truly honoring God. If your fancy licks and moves are a natural expression of your worship, then I beleive you are truly worshiping. Its all a matter of whats in your heart. If your like, "Ooh, ooh look at me doing this really RAWKIN' riff/dance/whatever" then you really need to consider changing your motives or stepping down. If your just caught up in the joy and excitement of worship and don't really care if anyone sees you or not, then by all means go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picker Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 If you have to rehearse your stage moves to get them right, that's probably too much. If you aren't really thinking about it when it happens, don't worry about it, unless "doing what comes naturally" involves removing your clothes or something. No matter what you do or don't do, somebody is gonna have a problem with it. That is just human nature, and we all deal with it. It is too easy to get into wrestling yourself 2 out 3 falls over whether you are doing the right thing ot not. So, play skillfully to please God and the worship leader, and keep it real with yourself. After that, let the others have whatever opinion they come up with. And put away the mini-trampoline, the back-flips are distracting the under 20 crowd and making the over 50 crowd jealous. Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Originally posted by groover: Its all a matter of whats in your heart. If your like, "Ooh, ooh look at me doing this really RAWKIN' riff/dance/whatever" then you really need to consider changing your motives or stepping down. If your just caught up in the joy and excitement of worship and don't really care if anyone sees you or not, then by all means go for it! Groover pretty much summed up my perspective on it. If you're doing something because you get caught up in the moment and you're feelin' it, that's one thing. It's a whole other if you're doing it intentionally to look cool and impress folks. Every time I do a service, I remind myself that no one is really there to hear my bootalicious licks. As to the "older folks" thing, yeah that's a drag -- we still get that at our church. And mind you, this is a church that has ALWAYS been a contemporary Christian music church since its inception more than 20 years ago. I sometimes feel like taking those folks gently aside and saying,"Dude, I understand your concern. But here's the thing -- we're a contemporary church and we do contemporary music here. That's never going to change. So if you don't like it, you may want to rethink your choice of where you worship, because you will never be happy here." "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhomer Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Wasn't there something in the Bible that mentions making "a joyful noise unto the Lord"?? In my book I think that covers the issue.. I mean if you're up there in fear of releasing a bit of joy.... maybe that ain't the idea.... I hear the Baptists frown on dancing... but I'm also pretty sure they don't have rock-n-roll bands on the altar either... With anything in life, the future belongs to the younger generation... If a good show brings 'em in and they keep coming back, then so be it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpedebass Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Wow, what can I add here??? Good advice from everyone. I guess I'm really lucky to be involved in my Church and Praise/Worship team. I hear the occassional complaints from the wayward Churchgoer, but usually all I hear is how everyone really enjoys us and how we really help them enter the "Holy of Holies" so to speak. We also perform primarily Christian rock and we are given a lot of freedom of expression as long as it is to please God and not man. You guys just need to pray about these things and seek divine answers instead of man's answer. I have no idea what God wants for your Church, but the Holy Spirit does and he will lead you in the right direction. Seek Him for these answers. Love God...Love People! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Originally posted by dhomer: Wasn't there something in the Bible that mentions making "a joyful noise unto the Lord"?? Well, this is the one I always go to: Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and the lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. -- Psalm 150 Sounds like rock and roll to me. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 I play in church. We have a nice PA, we play from slow and soft to fast and loud. I have never been known for my showmanship when playing an style or venue. Our guitar player gets into it sometimes. I think most people like to see we are enjoying what we do. I think if licks and moves are a "spur of the moment" thing it's great and acceptable. Anything "planned" is not. I throw in a few "hot licks" no and then. People like it. People at our service run from teens, to young families to an older couples. If it speakes to you that's what matters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groover Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 I don't think that planning is such a bad thing. Isn't that what practice is all about? Its when a riff or something is thrown in just to impress and show off that it becomes a distraction from the purpose of worship. I see nothing wrong with planning for excellence and purposing to give God our best. Once again its all a matter of what's in your heart and where your motivation lies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groover Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Oops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groover Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Grrrrr! Oops again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thanny XIII Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 ha im in a worship band for my lutheran high school(im episcopalian) but all we do really is play mortal combet.......lots of showmanship though I knew a girl that was into biamping,I sure do miss her.-ButcherNburn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wade_g Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 For those of you who know/care for C.S. Lewis, he wrote down some of his thoughts on this subject. I don't have the book in front of me, but paraphrasing he basically says that the exact structure of the service isn't that important (what happens when, music selection, etc.), but being fairly consistent week to week with whatever structure you choose is important. He believed this was key to making the church members comfortable in the service. Example, say you go to a church for the very first time (any church). Throughout the service you are paying attention to the details, so you stand up when everyone else does, and bow your head at the right time, and so forth. I mean, you don't want to 'stand out' and look like a fool. So you decide to go back, and if the church is consistent, they stand at about the same time as they did last time, and bow their head, and so forth. You feel a little more comfortable with the ritual, and so now you can listen more to what the preacher is actually saying, and what the words in the songs mean, and why the heads are bowed. The more you go, if the church is consistent, the less you are focused on the steps of the service and the more focused you are on the reason for the service. As groover said, worship band members are there to lead the church in worship. And you want them to be comfortable enough that they are not paying attention to the parts of the service, but to worshipping God. Of course, how to do this is where the debate lies and one of the main reasons why there are so many denominations. And, we all know you can't please everyone. Just try to do what you feel the majority is comfortable with. The extremes will never be happy, but maybe they can see where your heart is and understand that it is about God. There is a difference between Belief and Truth. Constantly searching for Truth makes your Beliefs seem believable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassaddik Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Originally posted by jcadmus: Originally posted by dhomer: Wasn't there something in the Bible that mentions making "a joyful noise unto the Lord"?? Well, this is the one I always go to: Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and the lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. -- Psalm 150 Sounds like rock and roll to me. ahhhh.... that is just so beautiful every time i hear it or read it. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord... amen. Praise ye the LORD. ....praise him with stringed instruments and organs... Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. excerpt from- Psalm 150 visit me at: www.adriangarcia.net for His glory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinymay Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 what motivates you guys to keep on playing for the church. im getting kinda confused here with so many questions because i have been playing for 5 years straight and i feel like im still waiting in line to see something that others are already seeing or feeling. answers only come to me after i already swore and verbally say thats it, this is it. tinymay i just want my bass, more bass, and of course, wife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruuve Posted February 22, 2006 Author Share Posted February 22, 2006 Good question. I'm giving back using something that I've been given. Dave Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs. - Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 Well, if I can I'd like to add a bit more to the discussion. Mainly to see what everybody else thinks about it. I couldn't agree more that you should follow where the Spirit leads when worshiping. Your intentions are clear only to yourself and God and no person can tell you that you're not honoring God through what you do. Your worship is indeed between you and God. However, the other side of the coin is that you are a worship leader and because of that you are quite visible to those you are leading. Paul writes in Romans 14:15 that "if another Christian is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died." (NLT) If the old codger is distracted or distressed by your movements, can you not worship God just as well without the movements? As was said earlier, "if you know eyes are being set on you, then they're being taken off Him." This is very true except one must think, "who is responsible for their attention being taken away from the worship?" Obviously they have control over where their focus goes but if this is the issue, it's clear that whatever is taking their mind off of worship is a distraction and as a worship leader, it's part of your job to try and avoid distractions. "Worship leader" is a job title. Whether you volunteer or get paid you want to do your best and fulfill the expectations of the job description. A computer programmer in a cubicle wouldn't sing along to the radio while at work just because it helped him concentrate. That would distract the people working around him. Slightly far-fetched scenario but in your case the people are already looking to/at you for guidance and if you start doing something to take their attention away from what they're supposed to be doing, you wouldn't have very good chances in your quarterly performance review. If you are in a situation where your actions will not be a distraction to anyone (i.e. everyone is expecting it or is of a mindset where it doesn't bother them), by all means, don't hold back. But if it causes your brother to stumble... A very puzzling and troublesome situation to be in. A dilemma I don't miss about playing in worship bands but I'm sure I'll face again at some point. I'm very interested to see where this discussion will go from here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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