[Worship] Doing our Best to share what we know

[Cchurchmusic@aol.com]

One of the post recently asked the question: 

Why would any musician be allowed to participate without demonstrating the necessary basic skills?

I know I'm very late to the conversation and I'm new to the list, but I really want to respond to this one (smile).

Most of the churches that I have played for were small (less than 150 Sunday morning attendance).  It is very hard to get a pianist to play for churches these days.  Even if all you need is someone who can play the melody in one hand and the chords in the other.

In my area, we have a huge shortage of musicians that are willing to play for small churches.  I'll stay off of the subject of why that is, but I really believe...

"little becomes much when you place it in the master's hands."

I never finished getting my music degree, yet God has used me in unbelievable ways.  To teach bass guitar, when I don't play that hot myself (smile).  To teach piano by ear and through sightreading (when my sightreading skills needs work).  Yet, somehow...God just has a way of using what we are willing to let him use.

In fact, if we had to wait for a musician who was well-trained to play for us in my area of the country, a good portion of the churches who do have musicians -- would be without them quick.

Don't get me wrong.  I do believe that we should never stop trying to learn and better ourselves. Yet, we have to remember no matter how much we study, there is still more to study.

It would be great if every church had a worship leader who was well-trained in music.  Unfortunately, it isn't that way in a lot of churches, except for the big ones.

So, those of us in the smaller arena has to help each other out. 

One music director I worked with could handle much of what I did musically (he knew I was learning), but he could not take listening to the my tambourine playing (smile).  In fact, I think he took it from me and said he didn't want me to play it again until I learned how.  I never played the tambourine in church again and that was over ten years ago.

You know -- what would have worked even better than taking the tambourine from me, would have been my director taking the time to teach me how to play it properly.  Now, that would have been helpful.  Oh well.

Carolyn Walker
Music Buyer
It's God's Choice Christian Bookstore
1454 Addison Road South
Capitol Heights, MD  20743
301-499-5799
gcchristianbooks@yahoo.com
www.geocities.com/gcchristianbooks


**************************************************
       Looking for praise and worship music resources?
                      Visit our list sponsor at:
                  http://www.worshipmusic.com

      Any questions about your subscription or the list? 
                Contact worship-help@praise.net
**************************************************