Feeling Slighted...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daily Faith Music on October 16, 2012 at 10:14pm

Hi Ryan,

I have to say I nave never heard of a complaint about a non-lead instrument not being suitable to lead worship.  It is the team that leads worship, not any one person.  As for a change in prespective I offer this.  

I am preaching only once a month and, rather than frothing at the bit for more pulpit tine I've been savoring the time I get to spend in preparation.  3 weeks is a pleasure to have in terms of message development and internalization.  Your gifts are being utilized, just not as often.  Enjoy the extra time you will get to develop as a team during your non-leading services.

An insightful article on the Gifts of the Spirit and their use, which may offer you some thought, lies at;

http://bible.org/article/gifts-spirit

I encourage you to continue to rehearse with your team.  Salt always comes in its own season.

Gary

Permalink Reply by George Knight on October 16, 2012 at 11:22pm

Ryan,

I agree with Gary. Don't let Satan get a foot hold. I have been striving to be a full time worship leader for the last few years. I have recently realized that God will place us all in the righ place at the right time. As long as we continue to look for His guidance and follow His leading. I trust in this everyday.

I will keep you in my prayers and know that God will move you life.

Keep you chin up and keep on rockin'

George Knight

Permalink Reply by Robert Wagener on October 17, 2012 at 1:56am

Ryan, I think you answered your own question with your first sentence, "I am feeling a bit of a pride issue." 

 

As a worship musician, singer, teacher, we ALL need to be prepared to step aside if/when someone comes along that will better help us all get to God, as Paul Baloche says, "God is the goal", not who leads, not the song selection, not who plays what instrument, God is the goal.

 

When I was replaced, I immediately began asking God to bless the new worship leader, to use his skills, talents and obvious committment, and to give me direction in my own life. Our church has blossomed, and I've found other ways, places to use the skills I've picked up over 20 years of performing.

 

So take a deep breath, fully address the 'pride' issue in your life, put it in it's place and spend time worshiping and bringing your desire to serve as an offering to Him, stay in the word and wait on God's plan for your life.

 

Blessings, Robert

Permalink Reply by Wulf Forrester-Barker on October 17, 2012 at 7:52am

I think you have two things going on here.

One is that your keyboardist has been asked to take a monthly slot. She is experienced and, if you put yourself in her shoes, you can probably imagine that this opportunity to keep her skills up to date is a blessing to her. In the process of moving from London to Oxford, I had a layoff of about a year before I had the opportunity to pick up the worship leading baton again and the first couple of times after that I could hear how rusty I was at it.

Secondly, the pastor has made an ill-informed comment that has probably cut you much more sharply than he realised. Bass is certainly far less common as an instrument for the worship leader to be playing but its foundational role makes it well suited to the role. Solo bass is a relatively hard instrument for congregations to follow when they aren't used to it but a good worship group should be drawing the best out of all the members of the band and so the instrument they play is irrelevant.

I suspect the more complete truth is that you are short on experience and the way you are going to overcome that is to continue to lead worship. However, while your opportunties to take the stand-at-the-front are being throttled back, they aren't being cut off entirely. In the weeks when you are not "leading", there are still plenty of opportunites to practise, not least by providing the basslines the leader is after and supporting and encouraging the rest of the team.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Green on October 17, 2012 at 2:43pm

I cannot thank you guys enough for you input and perspective. I think the biggest thing for me to do now is to seek out God's plan for me during this time and to enjoy the time with the other worship leader and team. As some of you have said.

Thanks

Permalink Reply by Robert Wagener on October 17, 2012 at 3:00pm

Ryan, In my faith walk I often have to remind myself that God delights in using us despite our weaknesses, not because of our strengths. I try to make 100% of my life an offering to Him, not just a specific talent, and let Him arrange the pieces on the chess board.  He's much better at it than I am.

 

In the meantime, explore other opportunites to serve. I used my 'down time' to become a musical hospice volunteer and I have to tell you that God has blessed me far beyond what I had experienced 'on stage' when I'm alone with a dying with either my guitar or cello and being there as they are escorted from this life to be with Him in the next.

 

 

Permalink Reply by Robert Wagener on October 17, 2012 at 3:00pm

Ryan, In my faith walk I often have to remind myself that God delights in using us despite our weaknesses, not because of our strengths. I try to make 100% of my life an offering to Him, not just a specific talent, and let Him arrange the pieces on the chess board.  He's much better at it than I am.

 

In the meantime, explore other opportunites to serve. I used my 'down time' to become a musical hospice volunteer and I have to tell you that God has blessed me far beyond what I had experienced 'on stage' when I'm alone with a dying with either my guitar or cello and being there as they are escorted from this life to be with Him in the next.

Permalink Reply by bet nich on October 22, 2012 at 5:36pm

Bass is always overlooked - but it is so important.

I would say allow room for the keyboard player, and enjoy your once-a-month leads...

Permalink Reply by Robert Wagener on October 22, 2012 at 5:40pm

ditto, great advice.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Green on October 22, 2012 at 5:42pm

I am doing much better this week. i don't know why this kind of stuff effects me so much.

Permalink Reply by Robert Wagener on October 22, 2012 at 5:46pm

Ryan, It's because,like all of us out here, you're human and that means ego, pride, self, gets in the way and that happens, it's part of who we are! The challenge is to be willing to let go of all of it, and let God move in our life, stay connected to Him and to each other. The fact that you're asking the questions means you're searching, and if you continue searching HONESTLY for Gods answers to your questions, He won't let you down.

 

A wise man once said, "Awareness creates it's own momentum". You're aware and working on it.

 

Blessings, Robert

Permalink Reply by Robert Wagener on October 22, 2012 at 5:48pm

Anyone going to Paul Baloche's Worship Conference in Jackson, Mississippi this weekend? My wife and I are headed there Thursday, spending an evening on the road and getting there for the Friday pm concert and would love to connect with fellow travelers if you're going!

 

Robert

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