On the Offense

Since we, as artists, put so much time and effort into our craft, we feel a particular strong ownership for our talents. We work relentlessly at trying to become excellent and put in countless hours mulling over the pros and cons of our abilities. It is because of this strong focus on our talents that we can become overly sensitive about feedback.

As we practice, our self-evaluation will often go into hyperdrive and we become extra in tune to "picking up signals from people. [These are] things that others might not even notice. Because we're going to pick up a lot of things like that, we need to be careful that we don't pick up something that's not really there." (Noland, 158).

We need to make sure that we are not taking offense to something when no offense was intended. Specifically, we need to make sure that all of our pride in our craft has not caused us to walk around with a chip on our shoulder. After all "He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him
who searches for it" (Proverbs 11:27). Noland astutely states, "don't make a big deal out of a comment that was not intended to be a big deal" (Noland, 158).

Being overly sensitive is something that we see throughout the bible with not so pleasant consequences. As an example, Noland shares a portion of the story of Samuel. Specifically, the elders of Israel approached Samuel and asked him to appoint another king to rule over them. This was extremely offensive to Samuel because he felt like Israel didn't like his leadership and almost caused a civil war. While Samuel was fuming over there request, God simply stated, "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king" (1 Samuel 8:7). Noland paraphrases this by saying, "in other words, God said to him, 'Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill, Samuel. This isn't about you, so don't take it personally" (Noland, 159).

Really, the only way to solve this conflict is to talk openly about the comment. Seek out the person that you felt slighted by and have a conversation about the comment. Typically, you will find that you took the comment more personally than it was ever intended. "So be careful not to take offense if none was intended" (Noland, 159)

In our worship team, what should we do if we disagree with someone's review of their work? Is this something that we need to work on as a team? If so, what do you think we can do to ensure that we are building each other up while continuing to be honest with each other about growth areas?

Are You Threatening Me?

What do you get when you cross Allison Reynolds, Andrew Clark, John Bender, Brian Johnson, and Claire Standish? Well, The Breakfast Club of course! This cult classic comically illustrates how five teens from five different defensive cliques overcome certain personality traits. The main reason this comedy became such a success is that it spoke to a broad audience’s fears about taking down defensive walls.

Everyone is defensive, but artists seem to be especially more so. Therefore, we need to learn how to manage that defensiveness so that it does not get in the way of our ability to excel at our craft. In The Heart of the Artist, Noland talks in great lengths about the dangers of defensiveness. He opens the discussion by stating, “Sometimes those of use with artistic temperaments get defensive when we’re criticized. We can be overly sensitive, and we let the least little thing hurt us. Sometimes we’re offended even when no offense was intended, and we take things more personally than they were meant to be taken” (Noland, 155). Sadly, oftentimes, the person who seems to be the most defensive doesn’t even realize that they are being so defensive. This problem is kind of a Catch 22. How do you tell an overly defensive person that they are being overly defensive?

The first step is to take an honest look at yourself and see if you are being overly defensive. Even if we’re being honest, probably most of us would say we are not a defensive person because it is hard for us to recognize that trait in ourselves. This means, instead, that we need to be aware that we may be overly defensive and be hypersensitive to how we listen to other’s feedback. Noland aptly states, “we can’t grow as artists until we deal with this character issue, which can be a blind spot for us artists.”

If we fail to address this blind spot, we will fail as artists. Noland lists three specific detrimental outcomes of defensiveness that occur when we are not open to feedback:

1.       Defensiveness Alienates Us from Others

“People reject someone who’s chronically defensive. The irony here is that the overly sensitive person eventually becomes insensitive to others because they’re so self-absorbed. What starts out as a defense mechanism against being hurt turns out to inflict an even greater hurt: loneliness and alienation. This isn’t good for the artist who’s trying to experience community or trying to build meaningful relationships in his or her life” (Noland, 156)

2.       Defensiveness Keeps Us from the Truth

“People tend to shy away from being honest with overly sensitive people, because they don’t want to hurt them…  [but] believe me, being deceived about your abilities is far worse than knowing and accepting your strengths and weaknesses” (Noland, 157)

3.       Defensiveness Keeps Us from Being All We Can Be

“When we allow ourselves to be defensive, we stop growing as people and as artists. Sometimes we get defensive because we feel threatened. We think we have to protect ourselves and our art. But the very thing we’re trying to protect suffers the most from our defensiveness. That’s because we cut ourselves off from that which can help us flourish as artists: constructive feedback” (Noland, 158)

Taking into account what you have learned and what you already know about defensiveness, answer the following questions:

1.       What causes an artist to be defensive?

2.       Why is defensiveness such a blind spot for artists?

3.       Have you known any defensive people in your life? How did their defensiveness affect you?

4.       Have you ever felt offended by someone and found out later that they didn’t mean to hurt you? What did you learn from that?

5.       Can you think of someone who takes criticism well or responds to suggestions with grace? What do you notice about the way this person handles those kinds of things?

Handling Criticism

We are now beginning the chapter on handling criticism (gulp). Noland begins the chapter with an anecdote and a set of study questions that definitely serves to touch a chord in all of us. At some point, we have all mishandled criticism and it has been very detrimental to our own ability to worship and lead others in worship. Here is Noland's story:

Justin is a sound technician at Southport Community Church. He puts in a lot of hours volunteering at the church. For most every service or major event, he's the first on there and the last one to leave. He sets up the sound equipment for the service, mixes drama, band, and vocals, and runs the lights. During the week he maintains the church's sound and lighting gear, and he's been doing all this for well over ten years. The church doesn't pay him and he's okay with that, even though he could easily spend more than forty hours a week there. He knows how rare it is for a church to hire a technical director. So he teaches physical education at the grade school every day and then runs over to the church by late afternoon. He enjoys what he does at the church, but lately he's been at odds with Sam, the new programming director. Sam's got all sorts of new ideas that put Justin on tilt every time they talk.

When they first met, Sam gave Justin a long list of changes he wanted to make. First of all, he wanted to lengthen rehearsal time, which meant that Justin would have to be at the church even earlier. Justin was already stressed out from all the hours he was putting in. He couldn't help but think, what's wrong with the way we were doing things before? Sam wanted new monitors, he wanted to move the speakers in the sanctuary, he wanted to mic the drums differently, and he wanted to go stereo with all the keyboards. Justin thought, Who does this guy think he is to come in here and change everything?

One of the changes that has been especially difficult for Justin has been the evaluation meeting he's now forced to attend very early every Monday morning. The key leaders involved in putting the service together meet with the pastor at a local restaurant and critique the previous day's service. This is hard for Justin. Every time anything negative comes up about the sound or lighting, he gets very defensive. One time the pastor asked why his lapel mic sounded as if it were on the verge of feedback during the sermon, and Justin snapped back saying, "Well, if I had some decent equipment to work with, we wouldn't have this problem." No one knew what to say. The conversation moved on, but Justin wasn't really listening during the rest of the meeting. He was lost in a series of negative and defensive thoughts: They have no idea how hard I work... I'm doing the best I can... They're luck to have me... No one else would put up with all this... I dont' get paid to do this...

Sam has made several suggestions about the band mix and vocal sound that haven't set real well with Justin. One time Same was onstage and asked for less reverb on the group vocals and more "warmth." This made Justin angry. I know what I'm doing. I don't need anybody to tell me how to run sound, he thought. But he complied, and even had to admit that less reverb gave the overall sound more clarity. To add insult to injury, several people complimented Justin on the mix as they left church that morning. Many people said they could hear the lyrics better. Justin appreciated their innocent encouragement, but he still didn't like the idea of that new guy Sam telling him how to do his job.

The communication between the two men has seemed like a tug-of-war. Every time Sam makes a suggestion, Justin asks why and then grudgingly complies. As a result, there is a tension at every sound check, every meeting, and every service. People feel as if they have to walk on eggshells when they're around Justin, because he takes even the slightest bit of criticism so personally. He seems angry all the time.

To make things worse, the two men clashed over a moral issue that came to the surface in Justin's life. Justin and his fiancee, who wasn't a believer, had been living together for several months. When Sam confronted him about it, Justin at first denied it. Sam persisted, and Justin accused him of being judgmental, pointing out that the decision to live together was a financial one.

The straw that broke the camel's back, however, may have occurred last week. More singers than usual were to perform during the service. A microphones were being handed out ten minutes before the service was to start, someone discovered two bad microphone cords - and no spares. Justin had been meaning to buy some new cords, but he just hadn't gotten around to it. He had dropped the ball. When Sam anxiously questioned him about it, Justin became defensive and angry, finally telling Sam, "If you want mic cords, get 'em yourself!"

During the service Justin could hardly concentrate. He was seething inside. He was angry at Sam, he was angry with everyone onstage, and he was angry at the church. His thoughts outpaced his emotions. What right does this newcomer have to make such outrageous demands all the time? And where does he get off, telling me how to do my job? Doesn't he think I know what I'm doing? If it wasn't for me, this service wouldn't even be happening. I deserve to be treated better than this. The anger burned hotter and hotter until Justin couldn't take it anymore. He got up and left, right in the middle of the opening song. He turned the board off and everything went dead. There was a loud boom throughout the auditorium, and the entire congregation turned and watched Justin storm out of the booth, down the hall, and out the door.

After the service, Sam tried several times to call Justin at home, but Justin was screening his calls and never picked up the phone. In his own way he was trying to punish Sam. He had everyone's attention now and he wanted to make his point. He sat home alone, sulking in front of the TV.

1. Why do you think Justin reacted negatively to every suggestion Sam made?

2. What would you suggest Justin do to patch up his relationship with Sam?

3. What should Sam do next to try to patch things up with Justin?

4. Do you think Sam was right in confronting Justin about living with his fiancee?

5. Is there any way the tension between Justin and Sam could have been avoided? What could they have done differently that would have enabled them to work together more harmoniously?

6. How does a defensive spirit affect rehearsals?

7. How should an artist handle criticism?

Gotta Have Faith

We have been going through The Heart of the Artist for three months now. As a group we have learned a great deal about each other, ourselves, and God's purpose for our gifts. Sometimes sharing with each other has been hard, reading the posts have seemed too time consuming, attending church when we are not 'on' a chore, and reading the bible non-existent. Yet, there have been other times where we have felt reborn in our convictions, touched to the core by other's faith, and pushed to become excellent for God's work. Regardless where we are in our walk of faith, one concept remains at the forefront. In order to provide authentic worship, we need to be authentically walking with God.

Noland decides to wrap up the chapter on Excellence vs. Perfectionism by reiterating the absolute necessity of spiritual preparation. He states, "I've discovered over the years how crucial it is for Christian artists to prepare their hearts and minds spiritually before they create or perform" (Noland, 144). While elementary in word form, this is something that is required for excellent worship. Even the apostle Paul spent 14 years developing his spirit before truly taking on the ministry! If Paul needed 14 years, how much more time do we need to provide?

Many of us have not been taking our spiritual preparation seriously and it shows. It is very difficult to lead an authentic worship when we have not taken the time to work on our own walk with God. This means that all of us need to contribute to our growth as a team (read and respond to the blog, book, and/or group discussions) and to ourselves individually.

So, what kind of things can we do to prepare spiritually? Noland gives several suggestions. One of his suggestions is to engage in group reflection and study. Another suggestion he makes is to have a "discussion of the lyrics" of our songs. He explains that we may even want to "pray over the lyrics or pray for the congregation to receive those lyrics with open hearts" (Noland, 145). In this way, we can "own what the song is saying... and communicate the song in the most effective way. If the song doesn't first minister to the one singing it, it won't minister to anyone else" (Noland, 145). In addition, those of us touched by certain songs can share our experiences. Shared insights can develop sincerity. Many songs, when the lyrics are lived out, can have a huge impact on our worship.

All of the points that Noland has made in this chapter can be summed up in the points below:
1. Develop our spirituality as a team
2. Take ownership for our individual spirituality
3. Always strive for excellence in our worship

It is very important that you have accountability for maintaining your spirituality and excellence. This means that you need to take on the knee-knocking task of owning up to your contributions and failures as a leader in worship. For this reflection post answer ALL the questions:

1. What are you doing to develop our team's spirituality in a positive way?
2. What are you doing to develop your own spirituality?
3. What do you do to make sure that you are excelling at your worship craft?