If each team member owns the responsibility for team unity, that team will be "like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose" (Phil 2:2) (99, Heart of the Artist)
Unity is important to God, and it's not something to be taken lightly. We are to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3). That doesn't happen without people working out their differences. It doesn't happen without people putting their egos aside and constantly deferring to one another. When Solomon dedicated the temple, the priests and musicians came forth "regardless of their divisions" (2 Chron. 5:22). They all checked their egos at the door and stood before God not according to status or rank but unified as God's people. They had quite a powerful worship time at this ceremony, and the arts played a major role (vv.12-13). This passage also shows us that unity is a powerful testimony to the presence of God. In fact, the presence of God was so strong at this dedication that people were literally falling down. And it all started with the people being unified. Don't ever think unity is optional. It's required if we're going to do anything together in God's name. (99, Heart of the Artist)
Unity is also a powerful witness to the unchurched. "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" (Ps 133:1). If there was a colony of Christ-honoring artists who got along with each other and truly loved each other, the world would sit up and take notice, because that kind of thing doesn't happen out there in the world. I tell our church orchestra that we are the most visible witness of team unity that the church has. We are such a diverse collection of ages, ethnic groups, abilities, and backgrounds, and we have to play together and get along with each other. If we can get along, anybody can. Our unity is often a more powerful testimony than our music. (99, Heart of the Artist)
Building unity, for us, comes primarily out of two moments: rehearsals and Sundays. Since we have rotating schedules and are limited in the time that we spend together, we need to be intentional about developing our community when we are together. This means that rehearsal cannot be simply a time of notes, instruments, and structure. We need to allow time to get to know each other, pray for each other, and celebrate together.
The trick to building unity through "socializing" is by developing an understanding of what we want socializing to look like for our worship team. This will allow us to be "like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose" (Phil 2:2).
This is going to be more difficult than it sounds on the surface level. Some of you would love nothing more than to complete our worship practice efficiently with little or no time spent socializing during practice (the time for that is either before or after practice). Then, we have another group of people who believe that socializing throughout the duration of practice makes our worship team a fun place to be.
In order to be like minded, you need to truly think about what level of socializing you would like at practice and comment honestly and thoughtfully. This will allow us to decide what method will work best for our team.
Your assignment:
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, with one being no socializing during practice and 10 being completely full of relational chatting with secondary focus on music, rate how much socializing you would like to see in our practice.
2. Give an example of socializing that you think we should have in our rehearsals, on Sundays, and etc.
3. Give an example of socializing that you think we should not have in our rehearsals, on Sundays, and etc.
1.Wow Im the first to comment. Well Id say we should be a 4. We are Primarly there to practice songs for the week. But we also need to socialize.
ReplyDelete2.Say the band is working out a part. I think its okay for the singers to quietly socialize while this is happening, as long as when the band is done we are back working together.
3. Id say its not okay when no practice can happen because everyone is off in their own little conversations.
We are there to worship through song first but we still need to be able to talk to one another. Especially since we rotate people so much. There are someone people I havent been on a team with for months, I miss them and need a little time to catch up.
Sarah =)
Because the purpose of our rehearsals is to prepare music for worship, I think the ratio should be 7 practice and 3 socialize. (Lucky vocalists get extra time to visit while the band works on music.) Having said that, having time to get caught up with each other is important to the unity of the group. That would ideally take place before practice.
ReplyDeleteThe type of socializing that seems most appropriate on Sundays is to gather and pray seriously about the upcoming services. On Thursdays I'd like to know more about the life/faith journeys of other members of the band. We all come together with a common purpose, but our paths are so different. Revealing things to each other would require vulnerability and trust. It would foster unity. Maybe a different member could share each week.
The last item takes me in two different directions:
Types of socializing which would not be appropriate would be ones which
undermine the wellbeing of the group, like gossip.
Types of socializing that would be appropriate but not at practice or on Sunday
might include a band retreat for one day, or quarterly dinners.
Judy
I also think that we should be at a 4. Since our worship team overwhelmingly thought that time management was a problem during rehearsal time, it only makes sense that we are spending too much time socializing for the preference of our team. Yet, I know that we have to spend time connecting in order to build unity. Also, unity is important for the congregation to see from us.
ReplyDeleteIn our rehearsals, I think that we should feel comfortable being able to share about our lives and pray for each other. We should know big events about each other before the rest of the congregation does (or the world of facebook). We should also have enough open communication and trust that everyone feels able to share their input without worrying about being judged.
Inappropriate socialization for any worship team, or team, will always include gossip or inside jokes and stories. Those behavors are exclusionary instead of inclusionary.
I think that 4 is a good number. Extreme one way or the other is not good in anything. Connection is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI think that we all know what is appropriate to discuss. Sundays on the couches is a great time to have in depth conversations and really get to know each other. Practice should be more focussed on the task at hand.
Wendi
You all are soooo smart!. I agree with the mindset of practice being more with a focus to work on music and less on socializing but free enough to interject "cute" comments, laugh abit and have SOME fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm more 70% WORK 30% social.
Inappropriate communication is the above mentioned. Gossip, tear downs, boy noises. ;)' (coming from a mama of 5 sons...)
I like the idea of having a get together "quarterly" Rotate hosting if one likes to have people over and not put it on the shoulders of just one person. Or even at Denney's or something.
Just make sure everyone knows about it....
So do our Sundays look still the same? hanging out on the couches...family sensitive. Participate in the service(s) we want to attend? Sunday morning prayer? Also. I would appreciate when we pray...closer proximity. When the vocalists are asked to lead in prayer...I usually can't hear or appreciate what they are saying...Could we maybe circle up or huddle up or do Presb. not do that?
Pam