seeking help: cultural issue in seeking music leader

[iweaver]

I would like to seek the collective wisdom of this forum on a sensitive subject: a mainly white church wanting to recruit an African American to lead the worship music. The motive is to genuinely reach out to the whole community – regardless of one’s culture. We could hardly accomplish this if the church leadership and all the musicians were Caucasian. We really don’t want to be a “mainly” white church. In our case the church is less than 2 years old, and for the past 18 months – through God driven unique circumstances – we had an African American couple (of professional caliber) leading the music. They were amazing. This couple recently left – and I am looking for a replacement. I am looking for help in the following ways:
1) Any suggestions on advertising? Are there web sites, or publications that would help me specifically target African Americans? I tried advertising in a church jobs type web site, but mainly white people responded.
2) Any suggestions on contacting African American churches – to seek candidates? I went and talked to the minister of such a local church (smaller than ours) – and they themselves are seeking such a person. They have been looking for over 2 ˝ years. Should I just go to the biggest church I can find – and ask for suggestions on where to look?
3) Any sensitive issues or cultural sensitivities I should be aware of? When I am making contacts, I don’t want to come across like I am simply raiding the talent sought by other African American churches. Also, when I recently sought help from an African American friend (who is involved musically at yet another local black church) about my “mission”, I could tell he was skeptical!
4) Any suggestions on going to a black college with a music department? I haven’t tried this yet – but it is in my plan.
If it helps, I personally am a big fan of gospel music – and I really enjoy this forum.
Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance for any help.
IW
Interim Music Director
At a church in Southern Maryland

[Divinecalling1]

I have a few suggestions/thoughts for you:

*  You could try to attend some of the local musicals in your area and beyond....musicians hang with musicians and they know who is working and who is available.
*  Try hanging out on Saturdays at the local Music Sam Ashe, Woodwind and Brass etc.  store...you meet drummers keyboardist guartarist singers  and all
*  Where are you located.....what is the Salary?.....post something all the music forums here on LGM...some one will know someone
*  Yes attend a few of the churches and ask the musicians and MOM's to make reccomendations, if the price is right you never know.....
*  Love Express Christian Newpaper out of New York....not very expensive.....All major conferences anywhere are listed in the newspaper
*  I think the college idea is on target.
*  Many of your local musicians have to  moonlight in Clubs on the weekends and week nights....just a thought.

I hope this helps!

[bishopcole]

I have a few suggestions/thoughts for you:

*  You could try to attend some of the local musicals in your area and beyond....musicians hang with musicians and they know who is working and who is available.
*  Try hanging out on Saturdays at the local Music Sam Ashe, Woodwind and Brass etc.  store...you meet drummers keyboardist guartarist singers  and all
*  Where are you located.....what is the Salary?.....post something all the music forums here on LGM...some one will know someone
*  Yes attend a few of the churches and ask the musicians and MOM's to make reccomendations, if the price is right you never know.....
*  Love Express Christian Newpaper out of New York....not very expensive.....All major conferences anywhere are listed in the newspaper
*  I think the college idea is on target.
*  Many of your local musicians have to  moonlight in Clubs on the weekends and week nights....just a thought.

I hope this helps!

This is a perfect guideline for you to follow. Bishop Cole

[axeman1]

My answer to this tricky question may seem simple and may raise a few eyebrows, so consider what I'm going to say  very prayerfully. 
First of all, lets talk about the 'm' word....yes, M-O-O-L-A-A-H.
whoosh-whoosh!! (sound of eyebrows raising)

Now I know that most of us church folk think that it is heresy to use money as a factor on deciding where a person's gift is to be used. However, I think that when a church is looking for "professional caliber" musicians, it is not unreasonable that they be prepared to provide compensation that is commensurate with not only the caliber of the talent of the individual, but also the sacrifice that that person has made in honing the gifts that God gave them.    Now when you consider the fact that you are already searching for someone that is on a short list to begin with, your list is further shortened by the cultural dynamics you describe. To sum up this point, first ask God (as I'm sure you already have) if this is truly the direction that He wants you to go in. Then ask Him what is just compensation for the position.

After you receive you answers, then comes the most critical part. Pray, pray some more and keep on praying that he sends the right person. The wonderful thing about it is, that when it is his will, he has already anointed and appointed the right person. He's just waiting for you have everything prepared for them when they arrive. God bless.
P.S. I am truly behind what you are trying to accomplish. I am currently playing guitar in a Christian band that we are trying to get off the ground. Myself and the bass player are black and have a style that is more gospel and smoothe jazz. The other guitar player, the drummer and the keyboard player are white. The white members styles are everything from country to blues to southern rock so you can imagine the time we are having trying to mesh the varying influences but it is well worth the effort.  God bless (again)

[sybesq]

Just a suggestion...  You may want to run a PSA on the local Black Gospel radio station(s)...  When we are in need of a musician, we find this source invaluable...  The great thing about running a PSA (Public Service Announcement), of course, is that you can do so for free!!!    There's no need to mention anything about the racial make-up of the church in the ad.  You can deal with it as the calls come in.  Of course, this presupposes that there is a fairly popular station or stations in your area serving the African-American market.  God bless. 

[saxandkeys]

I honestly don't think advertising is really necessary.  Most of the churches I have played in, or with have a number of musicians just waiting there turn to perform, i.e.( 2 drummers...3 keyboard players, etc.)

Try contacting some of the M.O.M.'s of local churches, and ask them if they have any younger talent that might be available to help you.

just an opinion