Practical Music Ministry

Serving God Through Sight, Sound, and Song

Striving to Grow: Overcoming Obstacles in Music Ministry (part 3 – Autopilot)

Is lack of preparation clouding your team’s purpose?

We’re continuing our series on Striving to Grow. Yesterday, we talked about a unified mindset. Today, we’re going learn how to worship on autopilot.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not stressing that we just “go through the motions” when it comes to our worship. On the other hand, I am asserting that we can’t truly worship until we are on autopilot.

The human brain can only really consciously focus on one dominant task at a time. If we are focused on too many technical details, or on our own insecurities, then how can we surrender our whole selves to worship? Yes, our service and the utilization of our gift as an offering is an act of worship. However, we can’t give God our first fruits, the full surrender of ourselves in worship, if our technical minds aren’t able to go on autopilot.

So, then, how do we send our technical mind on autopilot so we can fully surrender?

Preparation.

Lack of preparation clouds our purpose. If we are unprepared, whether through lack of rehearsal, sound issues, etc., then our thoughts are solely dedicated to merely “getting through” a service without falling apart. Hence, our purpose is clouded. We must be so prepared that we can suppress our technical minds so that we can truly connect with God.

I’m sure you’re thinking “if everything’s so rehearsed, that doesn’t leave God room to move during a service.” On the contrary. If we know our music intimately, know our instrument inside and out, and have nurtured our gifts and talents, then there is, in fact, more freedom. We’re not limited by our own insecurities and inadequacies, or by those of our teammates. Then, if the spirit moves the worship leader to move in a certain direction, we are ready and capable of following.

Part of preparation not only lies in rehearsal, but also in our comfort level as a team. We must be so accustomed to each other–the way each member moves musically or technically–that the team can work as a unit. Getting to that point takes listening, a comfort level with our instrument, and an understanding of music theory (or production skills) in general. It also takes a certain amount of trust that your other team members possess the same. We must also understand that this level of comfort takes time and effort on the part of every member of the ministry team or department.

As you strive to grow, stress the “autopilot mentality”. Take small steps. Stress preparation. Begin to work–really work–as one unit. Then comment and tell us your story!

See other posts in the series Striving to Grow: Overcoming Obstacles in Music Ministry