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Main => Ministry, M.O.M, Praise Teams and Choirs => Topic started by: rut on March 28, 2008, 05:53:56 PM

Title: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: rut on March 28, 2008, 05:53:56 PM: Hi Lgm family,
As you may know I am a 16 yea old minister of music in Orlando Florida. If there's one thing you must know is that i'm dedicated and passionate. I dont do my job for a pay check or to be seen, i do it for God to get the Glory.
Well this is the situation about three months ago i told my pastor that the praise team needs major work, and we as a people need to walk into a spirit of excellence. So he hired our old musican back, by the way she is awesome. So now she is back and praise and worship is starting to turn around, the thing is she cant come every sunday which is okay with me. So yesterday my pastor called and he was like" I know we dont have a orchestra and a drummer and the praise team needs a little work, so i was like okay" But something was telling me something about cd's. So he was like for the worship part of the service we are going to do cd's, and he ask me for my honest answer. I think he is challenging every thing that the music ministry stands for. Remind you theses cd's are not instrumental. So the plan is I play to songs of praise on the keyboard and the rest with the cd, and the praise team has to face the screen to read the words. I feel like he saying that we are not even good enought to finish out the whole servcie

He says this is for a short time, I understand the church is very small but dont scoop that low. How are were going to prepare our way to a a big sanctuary and lots of people when we are constantly taking the easy route out by using cd's. But i will try it and submit to his authority as i always do but
SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: LaylaMonroe on March 28, 2008, 06:35:40 PM: I'm confused. Did he make the decision to use the CDs or did he ask you for your opinion on using CDs?

1. If you are the MOM, why is the pastor making decisions on his own about how to conduct praise & worship? He's not staying in his lane, and therefore, he's going to cause a collision. (Of course, this is coming from one of those people who DOES NOT believe whatever the pastor says is right because he's the pastor so you should just shut up and do what he says do...).

2. There's nothing wrong with singing along with CDs. I know a lot of churches that do that. It's regional and denominational, so it may seem weird to you because you're not exposed enough to it. There's a pretty large church in Atlanta (about 3,000 members) that uses CDs, and they have an excellent music department. I guess they just like CDs. Personally, I don't get it, but that's just me.

3. If the Praise Team has their backs to the congregation to read words, they should be sitting along with the congregation, not standing in front of them.

4. There's a whole lot wrong with this whole situation, and I really could go on and on. If I were you, I'd start off by having a meeting with the pastor to clearly articulate YOUR vision for the music department, and see if you have his support. It would help if you had something in writing to share with him, in addition to an explanation for why you oppose the use of CDs and how you plan to address his perceived flaws with the PT.

5. Why can't the musician come every Sunday, and do you have someone to fill in in her absence?

My bottom line: It sounds to me like the pastor sees a problem, doesn't think you're taking the appropriate steps to resolve the problem, so he steps in to help. He probably means well. If you solve the problem, he won't have to step in. What are you going to do to address his perceived concerns about the PT?
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: rut on March 28, 2008, 07:00:00 PM: thats just it i play for the church so with the other musican gone is really not a difference to me. My whole point is why did we only have to do 2 praise songs on the keyboard and switch over to a cd for the worship half, it doesnt make since its like wre are not even good enoguh to finish the whole service
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: divinemusician on March 29, 2008, 02:31:25 AM: I got a few questions.

1. Can you lead worship from your keyboard?
2. If the praise team is not that good, Do you guys hold PT rehearsals?
3. One more time what is the point of the CDs?

Like what was said earlier, I think your first step (being that you are the M.O.M) is to clearly get a direction from God on here He wants the Music Dept. to be at and go. If both you and your pastor is seeking direction from God, you guys both should come toegether and be hand and hand on this situation. Once you get direction from God, sit down with your pastor and talk about what God has givin you. Express that you are only trying to do Gods will. Ask the pastor for time to get the PT in order.

If you guys can't sing the "big time" worshipping songs start off with the old. Like Welcome Into This Place, Thank You Lord 9the slow version), I Love you Lord Today, etc.
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: rut on March 29, 2008, 09:13:23 AM: Yes i can lead praise and worship from the keyboard i have been doing it for three years
yes we do have praise team rehersals and yes they are okay, they can sing in harmony and we are on one accord
the purpose of the cd is to show us and the congregation what type of worship he is looking for, to me thats understandable but, the way he telling us i think is a little bit radical. the type of worship songs is like Terry macalmon, ron kenoly, etc.
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: betnich on March 29, 2008, 10:14:46 AM: Sounds like your pastor wants you to do those songs on the CD.... I would say work on those songs w/the praise team until they can play at least one of them on their own. Use that CD to give them a sense of the song. Rehearse one a week, and ask your pastor if you could introduce them to the people the same way...
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: betnich on March 29, 2008, 10:18:12 AM: Quote from: rut on March 29, 2008, 09:13:23 AM
Yes i can lead praise and worship from the keyboard i have been doing it for three years
yes we do have praise team rehersals and yes they are okay, they can sing in harmony and we are on one accord
the purpose of the cd is to show us and the congregation what type of worship he is looking for, to me thats understandable but, the way he telling us i think is a little bit radical. the type of worship songs is like Terry macalmon, ron kenoly, etc.

Here's another idea... If the Praise team is not ready for these new songs talk w/your pastor and ask him is you can do some of your older songs in the new style...
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: sjonathan02 on March 29, 2008, 12:16:59 PM: Sit down with your Pastor and try to understand his vision.

If it's, "I love this type of worship song/style", then, as was stated, have the PT work on that type of worship song/style.

If there's something else, ask what that something else is. Be available; be open to his criticism; state your concerns/criticisms IN LOVE (which doesn't mean adopting a, "yessah, Boss" mentality with your pastor, at the same time, it doesn't mean you can tell him, "Ninja, you's (int) crazy", either :D).

Continue to work with the PT to enhance your/their strengths and improve your/their weaknesses.

It's all about communication. :)
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: Gospelstar21 on April 18, 2008, 10:33:52 PM: Hey, your situation really concerns me, so please take everything I am about to say to you in love. Let me ask you this..Do you trust that your Pastor is a real (man and or woman) of God? Do you trust that He truely hears from God, and that He is walking in the very center of God's will for his life? If you do believe this then I say go with what he has requested even if you don't understand. Stay prayful concerning what he has asked, but try to stay encouraged. It seems to me that your pastor is desiring something different as it pertains to the way you guys do worship. As minister of music you need to be totally in tune with your pastor's spirit, because your pastor is in tune with the needs of his sheep. (Do you believe me?) The difference between you and your pastor is, because of the postion that your pastor is in, God has allowed him to see farther than what you can see!! You have to trust his judgement. Maybe he is lookin for you to step your game up when it comes to worship. The bible says that you must worship in spirit and in truth, John 4:24. That means you have to have a active prayer life, you have to read your word daily. If you are lacking in this area than you won't be able to tap in the the holies of holies when you worship, there for the atmosphere won't be broken and set up for God to do what he needs to do. The bible also says Let everything that has breath praise ye the Lord! This means that everybody, man, woman, boy and girl, can give God a praise, but you have to have a relationship to worship!! Pray and do a self check. Ask yourself, can I worship the Lord in spirit and in truth? Do I have a active relationship with the Lord? Am I sold out to God? Also, don't listen to know advice that tells you that you don't have to submit to your pastor(s). Pastors arent perfect but God will definitely deal with them. Besides the words says to touch not my anointed and do my profit no harm. 1 Chronicles 16:22, also Psalms 105:15. This means you have to respect them even when you feel he is wrong, and you have to watch what you say because they are anointed by God right? My advice: Pray, submit, pray, fast (if you have to), be encourged, and ask God for the increase in your team. Also pray that God places your pastors vision in your heart, even to the point that you know what type of music your pastor likes, you know what God wants to say to the congregation through the music that you sing. God is real, the Holy Spirit is real! If I offended you in any way shape or form, I truely apologize, but truth is truth, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Be about realness and truth all day!!!!!!!

Quote from: rut on March 29, 2008, 09:13:23 AM
Yes i can lead praise and worship from the keyboard i have been doing it for three years
yes we do have praise team rehersals and yes they are okay, they can sing in harmony and we are on one accord
the purpose of the cd is to show us and the congregation what type of worship he is looking for, to me thats understandable but, the way he telling us i think is a little bit radical. the type of worship songs is like Terry macalmon, ron kenoly, etc.
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: chosenandcalled on April 29, 2008, 10:32:23 AM: just pray about the situation. I know its hard i was 16 when I was called to the music ministry also. But at the same time follow the instructions of the Holy Ghost because the service might be so good sometime that u might not need a cd.... I understand because its kinda weird doing half of the worship service on hand and the other half on cd. but understand it all about worshipping God. Sometimes as a choir director I have hard time with tryna get the songs or get the people together or work around their schedules but I pray. the bible says the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. So pray, I know its hard with that and with school as well. but just pray Let the Lord lead you.
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: 2blessed on April 30, 2008, 08:39:38 PM: Gospelstar21,
AMEN AMEN AMEN, I could not have said it better. ;)

Rut,
Stay encouraged, faithful, prayerful, patient, and humble. Allow God to grow you during this difficult time.

God Bless
Servant Barnwell
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: momuzik on May 02, 2008, 10:56:19 AM: Quote from: rut on March 28, 2008, 05:53:56 PM
...So yesterday my pastor called and he was like" I know we dont have a orchestra and a drummer and the praise team needs a little work, ...

Don't take what your pastor is doing as a personal attack against you.
With the above statement, I can see where he's coming from. See, when you hear music from a cd with all the works (band, orchestra, singers etc...), and you reduce that down to just a keyboard alone, sometimes it doesn't carry the same "energy" or "weight" as what you hear on the cd.
I've played with just a keyboard alone, but when I began playing with a drummer, it made a huge difference. Back up instruments can add a certain "feel" to a song that you can't get with a keyboard alone.
So in the meantime (until you get your band), you could try playing along with a beat from you keyboard and maybe start layering sounds so your songs can sound "fuller".
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: Revp98 on May 28, 2008, 02:17:27 PM: PUSH
[/color]
PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: rut on June 07, 2008, 06:30:43 PM: YOU CAN TAKE THIS HOW YOU WANT TO, I HAVE TRIED AND TRIED. I'M TEIRD OF CRYING ABOUT THE SITUATION LITTERALLY. nOW LAST SUNDAY, WE HAD TO DO EVERYTHING ON CD. ITS NOT ABOUT A PAYCHECK TO ME, I CAN CARELESS IF I EVER SEE ONE AGAIN BUT ITS THE PRINCIPLE THAT I CANT WORK LIKE THIS. I LVOE MY CHURCH AND MY PEOPLE BUT THIS WHOLE CD THING HAS GONE TO FAR. i DONT SAY NOTHIGN CAUSE I SUBMIT AND DO WHAT I HAVE TO DO. I AM A MINISTER OF MUSIC WHO IS TIERD OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT. I HAVE MADE PRAISE TEAM BINDERS, CALENDARS, AGENDA,SHEETS, SEPREATE PRACTICE TIMES FOR VOCAL ONLY. I HAVE DID EVERYTHING A MINISTER OF MUSIC SUPPOSE TO DO. I HAVE SAT IN MEETING AND CONFERENCES ON EVERYTHING.. I AM TIERD AND I CANT TAKE IT NO MORE DID I MENTION I'M 17YEARS OLD AND A SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT!! I LOVE GOD AND MINISTRY BUT I CANT DEAL WITH THIS A PREPARING FOR THE 12TH GRADE.

YOU MGIHT SAY THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR ME BUT ITS NOT ITS JUST THE FACT IM TIERD OF MY TEAM BEING LOOKED AS A JOKE!! THEN OTHER CHURCH INVITE US TO THERE PASTORS APPRERCIATION (ITS MY PRAYER WE DONT DO CDS) WHEN WE PLAY CDS THE MEMEMBERS DONT LIKE IT AND THEY DONT CARE AND DONT PARTICIPATE AND THEN MY SPIRIT IS ALREADY DRAIN JUST KNOWING THATS WHAT WE GOT TO DO!!
i HAVE p.U.S.H AND PRAYED
SOMEBODY HELP!!!!!!! :'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: divinemusician on June 07, 2008, 07:44:35 PM: Quote from: rut on June 07, 2008, 06:30:43 PM
. I HAVE MADE PRAISE TEAM BINDERS, CALENDARS, AGENDA,SHEETS, SEPREATE PRACTICE TIMES FOR VOCAL ONLY. I HAVE DID EVERYTHING A MINISTER OF MUSIC SUPPOSE TO DO. I HAVE SAT IN MEETING AND CONFERENCES ON EVERYTHING.. I AM TIERD AND I CANT TAKE IT NO MORE DID I MENTION I'M 17YEARS OLD AND A SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT!! I LOVE GOD AND MINISTRY BUT I CANT DEAL WITH THIS A PREPARING FOR THE 12TH GRADE.

I applaued you for doing this... Most people don't take their job in the same way you do and i am proud of you for this. ;D ;D

However i understand your concern, fustration, etc. You are aggravated because as MM God does give you direction too. You have a vision for the PT and you know how far they can go. One thing I want to ask, does your PT like the CD's? Because I am afraid that your pastor has (not meaning too) made them feel like they are not needed because of all you have to do is throw in a CD. This can hurt a PT and how they sing etc.

Maybe this is your test (and I know you probably heard this before), your breakthrough could be right there and the devil knows this so ur fustration increases your stress level increases your long suffering is out the window and it makes it hard to hold on. But I will say really get in a place to seek God on what He would want you to do, His direction, stay, go, hold on, remove yourself from MM for a while, get solid direction on this matter. Sometimes we get so boggled wit the church because it seems the vision God has given us to do what he has blessed us to do in the church is on hold and we can't handle that bc we love God so much and want to do His will with out interfernce but it really don't work that smooth... I am going through a simliar sitation at my church but it involves the youth (another story) so I understand your fustrations.. and I am in continued prayer for you.
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: kodacolor on June 09, 2008, 08:03:31 PM: Pray. Ask God to make it clear as to what He wants you to do. Yeah your pastor is a man of God, but then again SO ARE YOU!! It's two men of God called to two different ministries that tend to work together! Right now I'm reading 1 & 2 Timothy because those books deal with leadership. 2 Timothy deals with how certain situations can be handled. I haven't gotten though that whole book yet and I doubt you'll see the words "compact disc" :D but maybe there's something there to help you!

Also pray for regular musicians. As someone mentioned earlier you may want to make your own tracks with your keyboard and play along with them.

I understand your frustration. The idea of using CDs (cause other churches did it) was an insult to me when my PT leader suggested it. But this is a situation you have to pray on. Ya'll sound like a kinda small ministry. You have to take baby steps. If your PT is having singing problems, I have no idea where you'd get a vocal coach but pray on it. If they have trouble remembering the words then go to the dollar store, get a folder with prongs and make song books. Yeah that's corny but it's better than looking at a screen!
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: sjonathan02 on June 09, 2008, 08:09:43 PM: Quote from: rut on June 07, 2008, 06:30:43 PM
YOU CAN TAKE THIS HOW YOU WANT TO, I HAVE TRIED AND TRIED. I'M TEIRD OF CRYING ABOUT THE SITUATION LITTERALLY. nOW LAST SUNDAY, WE HAD TO DO EVERYTHING ON CD. ITS NOT ABOUT A PAYCHECK TO ME, I CAN CARELESS IF I EVER SEE ONE AGAIN BUT ITS THE PRINCIPLE THAT I CANT WORK LIKE THIS. I LVOE MY CHURCH AND MY PEOPLE BUT THIS WHOLE CD THING HAS GONE TO FAR. i DONT SAY NOTHIGN CAUSE I SUBMIT AND DO WHAT I HAVE TO DO. I AM A MINISTER OF MUSIC WHO IS TIERD OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT. I HAVE MADE PRAISE TEAM BINDERS, CALENDARS, AGENDA,SHEETS, SEPREATE PRACTICE TIMES FOR VOCAL ONLY. I HAVE DID EVERYTHING A MINISTER OF MUSIC SUPPOSE TO DO. I HAVE SAT IN MEETING AND CONFERENCES ON EVERYTHING.. I AM TIERD AND I CANT TAKE IT NO MORE DID I MENTION I'M 17YEARS OLD AND A SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT!! I LOVE GOD AND MINISTRY BUT I CANT DEAL WITH THIS A PREPARING FOR THE 12TH GRADE.

YOU MGIHT SAY THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR ME BUT ITS NOT ITS JUST THE FACT IM TIERD OF MY TEAM BEING LOOKED AS A JOKE!! THEN OTHER CHURCH INVITE US TO THERE PASTORS APPRERCIATION (ITS MY PRAYER WE DONT DO CDS) WHEN WE PLAY CDS THE MEMEMBERS DONT LIKE IT AND THEY DONT CARE AND DONT PARTICIPATE AND THEN MY SPIRIT IS ALREADY DRAIN JUST KNOWING THATS WHAT WE GOT TO DO!!
i HAVE p.U.S.H AND PRAYED
SOMEBODY HELP!!!!!!! :'( :'( :'( :'(

By CDs, I assume you mean tracks. I'm trying to understand; what's wrong with that? ?/?

It's the same thing professional gospel artists do ALL the time, whether it's Sunday mornin' or sangin' (int) for Bobby Jones on the Word Network.

Ain't nuttin' wrong with tracks; especially if you don't have the musicians or the voices aren't strong enough, yet. ;) 8)
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: kodacolor on June 09, 2008, 08:11:37 PM: Quote from: sjonathan02 on June 09, 2008, 08:09:43 PM
By CDs, I assume you mean tracks. I'm trying to understand; what's wrong with that? ?/?

It's the same thing professional gospel artists do ALL the time, whether it's Sunday mornin' or sangin' (int) for Bobby Jones on the Word Network.

Ain't nuttin' wrong with tracks; especially if you don't have the musicians or the voices aren't strong enough, yet. ;) 8)

He said they're not instrumental.
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: sjonathan02 on June 09, 2008, 09:02:32 PM: Quote from: kodacolor on June 09, 2008, 08:11:37 PM
He said they're not instrumental.

Then, someone needs to get on the internet and find the nearest tracks retailer (i.e. ntimemusic.com) or something like that.

This is where you take your expertise and speak to your pastor about this situation; OR........ :-\
Title: Re: SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME ADIVCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!!!!!
Post by: rut on June 10, 2008, 06:55:21 PM: thanks but im gonig to continue to pray until God move on this situation. Its just i dont want to miss God again