Just because we are all Christians, members of the worship team, and have spiritual gifts, does not mean that everything will be rainbows and unicorns. Unfortunately, our spiritual gifts come with a huge dose of hubris. Hubris is the extreme amount of pride associated with the way we feel we need to do things in order to have our spiritual gifts utilized in their self-perceived "perfect" way. Hubris is an extremely dangerous a double-edged word because it is directly associated with having a very negative outcome. The best metaphor of this is Achilles and his tendon. As artists, we continually have to be evaluating our actions and making sure that hubris is NOT overtaking God's will for our gifts.
In the Heart of the Artist, Roland lists 3 tasks that we need to focus on to make sure that we are using our gifts in the way God intended them:
1. A team player is committed to the the cause of the team
In ministry being committed to the cause of the team means that we put the church's mission above our own agenda. From time to time [we all] hear stories about arts ministries in which the team members aren't all on the same page. The result is musicians, drama people, dancers, etc. all doing their own thing instead of coming together for the common good. For example, a musician who uncompromisingly pushes a favorite style of music, even though it doesn't fit the occasion, is putting his or her own agenda ahead of the team's. (97, Heart of the Artist)
2. A team player encourages and supports his or her teammates
When it comes to the arts in the church, we need to cultivate an environment that is encouraging, life-giving, and supportive. That's part of what it means to nurture artists, especially the artists with whom we serve. Most of us have no difficulty encouraging someone whose gifts pose no threat to our place in the ministry. Our character is truly proven when we can root for those who have the same gifts we have. Can you sincerely encourage and pull for someone who has the same gifts you do? Another test of character some when someone else gets the opportunities we wish we could have. Maybe it's the solo we wanted, the part we wanted to play, or the recording opportunity we wanted. First Corinthians 12:26 (NASB) says that if "one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." Can you rejoice for someone who gets the opportunities you wanted? (102-103, Heart of the Artist)
3. A team player holds onto to his or her gifts loosely
Every once and a while [we] run into people [or find ourselves saying], "I'm not going to give of my time and talent unless my gift is used exactly how I think it should be used." NBA coach Pat Riley says, "Doing your most for the team will always bring something good for you. It means believing that everything you deserve will eventually come your way. You won't have to grab for it. You won't have to force it. It will simply catch up to you, drawn along in the jetstream, the forward motion of your hard work." Especially if God is in the picture, I think we can say with confidence that good things will come our way if we work hard and don't try to force it. If our talents and abilities are from God, who really owns them? He does. They're on loan to us and we are to faithfully steward them. So we can relax our white-knuckle grip on our gifts and lay them at the feet of Jesus, to be used to edify His church as He sees fit. (104, Heart of the Artist)
Roland's words are powerful, they speak right to "our hearts as artists." Of course we want to participate. Of course we want to share our gifts in the way we think that they should be shared. Of course we want to be an integral part of something that leads people to Christ. Of course we want to be recognized for our gifts. Of course, though, we need to understand that the use of our gifts is up to Him who gave them to us.
Our worship team is blessed with some of the most astounding hidden gifts. It seems like every day a member is stepping up and portraying God's will in remarkable and influential ways. Since we are so gifted in our team, we need to make sure that everyone is allowed the chance to use their gifts in the way that "God intended." This means that a few of us will need to start asking others if they would like to participate before taking on a task by ourselves. It also means that others of us will need to start sharing more about our hidden gifts and look for ways to serve our congregation, our team, and our Father.
The reflection assignment for this post is somewhat simple:
Identify and post about something that you will now start doing to make sure that other's gifts are celebrated and used better within our team. An example of this may be: "I will recognize that the congregation worships in a multitude of ways and instrumental interludes with electric guitar or drums or harmonica provide an equally beneficial moment for the Lord to do his work as vocal lyrics do."
I will not get so upset by the fact that I dont know the songs on the set list. I was really worked up last week because I didnt know the songs, turns out most of the church did and they really enjoyed it. I will try my hardest and put my whole heart into every song and everything I do regardless of how Im feeling. =)
ReplyDeleteSarah
I will strive to find the joy in playing some of the simple songs our congregation responds to so well without feeling the need To add a kick drum, 8th note bass lines, and five guitar solos. Sometimes it's crazy cool to rewrite a hymn into a modern style but sometimes it's ok to leave it alone and just play a hymn. But just the first 20 verses. After that we have to amp it up a little.
ReplyDeleteLarry
Because I love rich vocal harmony, I always try to find something that goes with the melody line. I will strive
ReplyDeleteto embrace simplicity in vocals, realizing that this allows the congregation to better identify and learn the
melody of a song.
Judy
As a self-admitted perfectionist, I need to learn to put friendship, fellowship, and worship ahead of the technicalities of the music. I will be working on leaving the stress of perfectionism behind me in order to embrace the idea that "our unity is often a better testimony to our worship and faith than our music."
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm going on record to say I dislike hymns. What I mean by that is the old way that many of the songs use to be played. My opinion is that one needs to play to your audience. If it full of the older generation then have at the old style. If it a younger demographic possiblly amp it up a bit (or a lot). Since I didn't grow up in a christian church, many if not all of these "classics" I don't know. So when I hear them sometimes I want to poke my eye out. I guess what I need is more grace and understanding of the history of the song, and embrace it.......with distortion!!
ReplyDeleteSteven
I will be an advocate for team members to grow and stretch themselves. Having members step outside the "comfort zone" in leading worship, speaking, playing, singing or praying individual parts. It can be good to mix it up even if we are a little nervous and uncomfortable. Changing the normal way we do things so we can grow and become a better over all team. I feel the congregation responds to us being "us" - being real not being our idea of perfection.
ReplyDeleteWendi