We stopped using “special music” by soloists several years ago in an effort to increase congregational participation.  When we have music in the service, everyone knows they are to be a part of it.  When people who want to do special music all the time are directed towards committing to the worship team and sharing their “talent” as a group, their “excitement” wavers and they give up seeking the spotlight.

Music seems to be the “hot” topic no matter what aspect of worship you deal with.  Here’s what has seemed to work great in our church, not without some feelings being hurt I’m sure, though they weren’t willing to admit it which you’ll understand why after I explain.

Please know that this was not a manipulative policy, it was truly our hearts desire.  As a worship committee, we had to ask ourselves why we do what we do.  The answer came quickly, to glorify God!!  “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” Being convinced that this was how we were to approach worship it guided all decision making when it came to music selection, soloists, etc. 
Many churches “fight” over what style of music should be played.  In our desire to glorify God, as we listened to songs, voices:), arrangements, we asked ourselves one question “When we listen to this music, does it turn our minds/heart towards God?  or do we find ourselves liking the music alot but it really doesn’t lift God up.  Or, the lyrics are great, but the soloist is distracting to the message.  Or, the lyrics are great but I hear the beat more than I hear the message which inevitably takes away from God being central, we do like a beat, but not one that gets more attention than God. 

When everything about worship is designed to glorify and magnify God, and you explain this in your decision making, though someone may whine inside about not getting a solo etc.  They certainly can’t fuss with the goal, because who wouldn’t or shouldn’t want to give God all the glory that is his!!

I hope this helps.  Our people have joined in on finding ways to maximize God’s glory in our worship.  It’s been awesome!!  I think the jealousy and whining takes care of itself when everyone realizes that none of us will get more praise and glory than God will receive in the end.  If we, however, are constant praisers of man, it’s no wonder everyone is vying for positions that will result in praise for themselves:)

Hope this helps:)

Your posting brought a few things to mind, most of which I believe deal with the nature of the worship service itself and the fact that we include so many unnecessary aspects in the service.  I do not see a place for “special music” in a service and I think it only promotes the problem inherent in most churches today with people not participating in all of the biblical elements of worship - singing, preaching, prayer and the reading of God’s word. 

Also, I agree with a previous post that having qualified people lead is important but I would say I value a person’s spiritual qualifications over their musical qualifications.  Having spent a large amount of my life performing on both sides of the sacred and secular fence plus teaching music and having multiple degrees in it, I hate it when people talk about “church gigs”, as if they are doing God a favor.  Sunday morning should not be set aside for people to glorify their own abilities but, in humility, to glorify God with their lives.  Nothing teaches that concept better than getting out of the spotlight instead of seeking it.

We implemented “featured music”.  There is the thin line between hindering someone’s honest “joyful noise” and protecting listeners’ spirit of worship.  When I was a music pastor, I made the effort to let the less talented singers go first, that way someone more gifted could follow up and help prepare hearts for true worship.  And many times I was surprised by what poured out of less talented singers.  My church was about 600 or so, so we definitely had an array of talent. It was not unusual for a very talented vocalist to appreciate their own voice so much so that the result seemed too much like a “performance”. (I agree with the earlier comment about “church gigs").  I’ve seen my church be blessed by someone who could barely carry a tune, simply by the outpouring of their heart and soul into a song. 

Still, a fine line, but I know that man looks (and listens) to the outward, while God is concerned with the heart.

And, by the way, thanks for the video.  I needed that laugh! 

I would like to ask for input concerning a similar situation but, with a couple of twists. A member of my congregation who is wheelchair bound, blind and very hard of hearing feels the need to join the adult choir which sings each Sunday morning at the televised service. This person is very demanding and expects to be carried (in wheelchair) onto the chancel and placed in front of the choir. Our music minister has been very gracious to allow this person to sing, however, they cannot carry a tune and often are singing when they should not be. How do you tell this type of person they are loved but, should not be in the choir?  Helen

Wow! That video was hilarious! Thanks for sharing! Tough and painful topic to soooo many people.

When I had to have “the talk” with freshman music majors about their failing sightsinging/dictation/music theory grades and how they would better be suited for business or, well, anything else, it seemed much easier. I could show them that they wouldn’t be able to support themselves as a musician. In church, it’s a whole other ball of wax when you have people coming out of the woodwork announcing that God gave them this great new song they’ve written to sing for the congregation. 1. the song is terrible, 2. the singer is worse.

Here’s a question… Say you are happy about the job you are doing, you’ve spent a considerable amount of time and money sharpening your skills and developing that gift, you finally feel okay accepting compliments about your job, you genuinely feel the Holy Spirit moving within you and helping things along, you are thankful for your gifts and opportunities and relish activities in those areas you excel. I almost forgot that you REALLY ARE talented and have a heart for the Lord. Is it okay to be proud of your accomplishments? Must you point towards Heaven when people applaud (metaphorically and literally)? Is it okay to be happy about your (job) performance and say a little prayer during the “applause” thanking God that it all went well?

I don’t think I’d be remiss in saying that each of us has probably felt like this at least once, if not more frequently, and perhaps even all the time. The boundaries between martyrdom, pride, humility, false humility, submission and servanthood seem a bit blurry at times. How about “I’m so proud of my children!”? Should it be “Thanks be to God for mine offspring I begat with thee!”?

Those who are powerful agents of change are powerful targets. Does Satan provide the fuel of adrenaline to poison a charismatic leader? Does God use adrenaline to fuel the fervor of a charismatic leader? When do things change?

We have “special speakers,” “special emphases”, “special offerings,” “special announcements,” but we can’t have “special music”?  We present our best to the Lord in other areas, but we’re to hide gifted musicians in the choir among the untrained?  There is no biblical basis for acting this way!  Those with gift and talents should be allowed to express them for the Lord. 

The problem is not the concept but the
person.  If the heart of a soloist is right, they will lift everyone present to the presence of God with their music.  If not, they shouldn’t be singing in the choir either!  Over my 32 years in music I’ve known soloists and choir members of all flavors.  The key is our own hearts being right with God so that we can lead them to the right heart and attitude with a clear conscience and purity of purpose.  Yes, there is a place for soloists in worship.

As for weeding out those who want to sing but can’t, I have soloists sing for me a full week before they are scheduled to sing in church.  That gives me time to coach them (if they are coachable) or to tell them “come and sing it for me again when you’re better prepared.” Some don’t come back.  Some have surprised me and come back sounding totally different and ready to sing.  But this is definitely a place where we must “speak the truth in love.” Yes, I have had to tell some people, “I’m sorry, but solo singing is just not your gifting.” One man was totally offended that I required him to audition, and when I heard him sing, I knew why.  When I assigned his solo to somewhere other than the prime spot on Sunday morning, he left me a nasty message and left the church.  Do I regret that he left? Yes.  Would I handle it differently next time? No. He was full of unwarranted pride and the process brought it to light. 

Every church is different, so every music ministry will be different.  But there is one common denominator that Paul spoke of, “Whatever you do, do all to the Glory of God.” If that is the plumb line we use, the music and the methods will be secondary to the message.

Great video.

The communication of the text of a song should be no less important than the message the pastor gives.  We don’t invite mediocre Bible teachers to address the entire congregation on Sundays, we get our very best verbal communicators.  When we choose a song, we find the best communicator of the song text, from a spiritual AND musical standpoint.  If the voice is a distraction, the text is lost.

Of course, there are opportunities to use ‘less than the best’ of our people.  A mentally-handicapped young man blessed us all one Wednesday with his version of ‘The King is Coming’.  But generally on Sundays the communication skills and the match of heart/passion/song/musicality guides our solo choices.

I have a way to deal with untalented people that always sends them on thier way, with no hard feelings. Try this, it works; Simply tell the individual that they, like everone else, should spend some time with a voice coach before participating in the music ministry. Give them the name of someone that you trust. This is how it works: The no- talent person thinks that they actually have talent. They see no reason to pay money to learn to do something that they do just fine. They will not follow through and will not approach again because they did not take voice lessons. You, in effect, put thier ignorance to work for you. I know what you are thinking, “what if they call your bluff?” Either they will learn to sing or give up. Tell the voice coach to give them somthing to sing that they can do somewhat decently. They learn to sing and all is well! Leaders must always remember to smile and use tact. Make eye contact when you speak with the person and do not flinch. You must succeed, or you will have to pay the price of listening to bad music right along with you congregation. Failure is not an option!!!

Please forgive me if what I am about to say sounds arrogant. Believe me when I say that I am writing with the humility of usually learning God’s truth the hard way.

The answer to this problem is really right in front of us if we remain biblical in our approach. Of course, the New Testament doesn’t tell us a lot about corporate worship, at least, not as much as the Old Testament does. (The Old Testament is an invaluable guide for Worship Leaders and Worship Pastors (and other pastors, elders, and leaders) when it comes to corporate worship.)

If we look at when David was first establishing organized, corporate worship, we see that they selected the best musicians to lead the worship. I don’t believe this selection could have been done without someone listening to another person, comparing them with others, and then choosing who was best. In other words, some sort of “audition” had to have been performed (no pun intended). A “picking-one-over-another” senario was inevitable.

So how do we deal with people who aren’t selected to lead worship (and that is what EVERYONE in front of the congregation is there to do)? Here, a very important biblical principal comes into play: sharing the truth in love. The Old Testament tells us that “the wounds of a friend are to be cherished above the kisses of an enemy”. If you REALLY love someone, you will be truthful with them, even if it hurts. In fact, if you REALLY love someone, your “truth that hurts” can be VERY constructive. In the case of the person who believes they are a worship artist but aren’t, we are usually dealing with an issue that involves the possibility of hurting someone’s feelings or hurting their pride. If this is the case (and in almost all of the instances where I have dealt with this matter, it has been), it is going to take the personal involvement of the pastor(s)/leader(s) to help the person overcome this.

As pastors and leaders it is part of our responsibilities to help brothers and sisters in Christ grow, develop, and find their best fit in service to Christ. This is many times difficult, time-consuming work. We would love to have a quick and easy formula, because most pastors and church leaders have “enough” on their plates already, but it just doesn’t work that way. We MUST take the time to not just help them realize they don’t have the talent they think they have, but find the talent, and the place in the body of Christ they DO have.

Sharing the truth in love is not saying things (or not saying things) to avoid hurt feelings. Sharing the truth in love is sharing the truth, whatever that truth is, because we love.

I wonder how many children’s workers, journalists, media artists, greeters, youth workers, bookeepers, small group leaders, fellowship planners/workers, cooks, stage crew members, etc., etc. we’re missing because no one has loved them enough to tell them the truth and help them find their true gift(s) and calling in the church?

Three phrases should be among the most common in our daily usage. They are: Thank you, I am grateful and I appreciate.

Oh dear!  That video is a scream!  Some of you people need to loosen up a bit.  That clip was vintage ‘70 local programming!  I mean, that actually air to some poor unsuspecting community!

How do we effectively present a message through music?  proper communication, and my friend, that video was way to close to home for many of our churches.  No wonder our culture says, “No thanks!”

Thanks for the belly laugh!