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"Can't make rehearsal"
AUGGHHHH! I am freaking out because my two of my three guitarists can't make rehearsal this week. They are excellent musicians and know the songs, but I get really short of breath thinking about going into Sunday w/o proper rehearsal...and with both of them being very busy business people with young children, and the third being a very busy college student, this happens a lot. Factor in a keyboard player who subs at another church and sometimes I don't know who's coming or going.
Laying down an ultimatum is not an option; there's no one else to replace these folks (in more than the musical sense -- we've all become great friends). It's not as thought they're unreliable in the something-more-fun-came-up way, it's just that they all have soooooo many other things going on. *sigh* What's a worship leader to do?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Benjamin Luce on -
Last week, I had no drummer or bass player at practice! Plus, these two are the 'alternatives'!!!! Really, they didn't know ANY of the songs we were doing this week,.. (at least not the way I planned on doing them.) I used email and youTube clips to help the drummer out, but he didn't get them. Anyhoo, (long story short), when we played Sunday morning, it was without-a-doubt one of the best praise/worship times I have ever been a part of!! I was definitely a little nervous, but God came through, HUGE. Do your very best to get the rest of the team ready, especially yourself, then use the technology that we have, to try to get those guys as ready as is possible,... and finally, give it to God!! He'll work it out. It may be great, it may stink, but God has a way of using us even when we're terrible.. haha. Just relax, Kathy,.. God's got a plan!
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Permalink Reply by bet nich on -
It's hard, no doubt. If it was a once-in-a-while event I would worry less then if is habitual behavior. Perhaps you could develop a 'waiting list' of people who could be called on to sub at rehearsal for the last-minute dropouts.
We have had Praise rehearsals cancelled for this week and next - are doing older, more well-known songs those Sundays...
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Permalink Reply by Kathy on -
You are so right about God coming through . . . we have had some great times of worship on rehearsal-free weeks. I seriously think this is God's way of teaching me to rely on his provision. And they do at least give plenty of advance notice. In my heart I know we'll be OK, I just need to vent to somebody who gets it and who won't feel bad about something that can't be helped (band members) or turn it into divisive gossip (non-mbrs).
BTW my "alternates" are two high school kids who may or may not show up, and Yours Truly who can play anything on guitar as long as it only uses G, D, and A7 (Kum Bah Yah, anyone?). Since my MIAs are former professional musicians and a piano teacher, it's not even close. For those readers who go to huge churches with three different bands: welcome to the reality of small-town life.
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Permalink Reply by Benjamin Luce on
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Your "MIA's" should be able to handle just about anything as long as they know how to follow your leading. Our church is the largest in our area that I can think of, yet we only have about 450-500 at the largest service. The old church I used to go to had about 150, but we were blessed (as we are now) with incredible musicians. Seems like you are, too! Thank God, right?
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Permalink Reply by Kathy on
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Back in my old-fashioned choir days, one of my favorite choir directors used to have what he called "blizzard anthems", as in, half the choir didn't show up because of the blizzard: quick-and-easys that sound nice with very little rehearsal or maybe even just an emergency run-through. Can anybody suggest some?
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Permalink Reply by Vernon Harkins on -
Sounds like you need to sit down with the team and talk about a rehearsal night that will work for everyone.
I have rescheduled weekly rehearsals if say the entire rhythm section was going to be out or if a few key players couldn't make it, but it should not be every week.
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Kerr on -
that's rough! what about an early practice on Sunday morning?
I hate feeling unprepared but it happens to me too!
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Permalink Reply by Nicki Black on -
Be flexible, and trust the Holy Spirit. :-)
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Permalink Reply by Todd Vaters on -
I'm with you, Leslie. I'm flexible when I need to be but when I see a pattern it's time to review the situation. Outlining the committment beforehand is essential, too. It defines the required commitment and gives you a guideline to fall back on when you need to have a conversation. If someone is super busy you may be doing them a favor by helping them evaluate the situation.
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Permalink Reply by Flute Punch on -
Our church is at this spot too. Worship isn't just another gig. It might be volunteer, but once it becomes just another gig, or they start taking advantage of the fact that the leader won't hold them accountable, they'll start slacking off. Not because they're bad people, but because they're human.
I can play piano, and sing (not very well), and lately I've been thinking about stripping things back, and until people can prove some responsibility, they won't play. I almost think that for new people, that would be better on the whole - prove that you can show up to rehearsals for 2 months (or tell me when you can't), and then you can play. Let he who shows himself faithful with a little be put in charge of much - or something like that. I think it's certainly better to establish something like this from the beginning; the reason I haven't done it yet is because I don't want to offend our players if I don't have to.
I know when our church has had no instrumentalists, they've used worship DVDs. Maybe you could find a few you like so you can lead with them if needed? Or mix up your own CD/MP3 set?
Sometimes I think after a while, it is possible for all members to lose sight of the fact that while every person is unique and wanted, not one of us is essential. God can do whatever He wants with nothing. But we start freaking out we have no drummer, etc, and then when they show up and we're relieved, they start feeling they ARE essential, and that is where the slacking off starts, I think. And I'm saying this as someone who has been that person. :(
Last point and then I'll shut up: Rehearsal is not just learning the songs -- it is learning to worship together, and I think that is something that makes a person's abilities somewhat irrelevant. They can be a great sight reader and know all the songs, etc, and still not really worship with the rest of the team.
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Permalink Reply by Levite on -
I actually think you're right on. I heard Misty Edwards from Ihop refer to musicians as flaky. It's hard to find really committed people who take what we do as a serious responsibility. God showed me that we are Contemporary Levites, counterparts to the old testament Levite who were primarily in charge of leading worship, full time, sometimes 24/7 in the temple. It's tough being in charge of a volunteer army.
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Permalink Reply by Benjamin Luce on
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I can see where some of you are coming from. I prefer to have everyone come to rehersal (6pm-8pm Wed), even those who are off for the week. However, sometimes things happen and we need to be loving about it. Anyway, we do not use all of that time worrying about nailing down every little detail in the music (team members need to do a good amount of homework). We also use the time for prayer/bible study small group. Music is part of what we do, but it certainly isn't everything. Flute Punch makes a good point about simplifying things. Do you REALLY need 3 guitars? Maybe a one week on - one week off situation would do some good for some of these guys. I would probably have a meeting with the entire music ministry of your church and simply talk about this stuff. You may be surprised with the feedback you get. Just have everyone give you their honest input, then you and the others in leadership can take that into account, pray about it and finally make decisions about where you are going. The last thing you need to do is stress-out and/or make rash decisions about this stuff, though.
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