Setting the Standard for the Church Music Team

Being a music pastor or a music team director is perhaps one of the more difficult positions, because you’re dealing with the most visible, and most desirable ministry in the church. Although every ministry is equally as vital to the growth and health of the church, not all are scrutinized in the same way. Musicians and singers are more of a focal point, not because they’re more important than other church members, but because they’re seen. And people don’t just watch you on stage, but they watch you off stage as well. Is you life and conduct in line with the values in the word of God? Because if they aren’t, you can guarantee someone will notice. Such is the weight of responsibility. But I don’t see it as a negative. Rather, I see it as an opportunity to shine the love of Jesus even brighter because I have a level of influence on those around me.

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If you’re in charge of a music team, or you have been in the past, you understand the challenges that are presented to you on a weekly basis. You have a team of volunteers, all with varying levels of skill and experience. Some who want to be rock stars, and others who just have a heart to serve. Every person has their own views and opinions on how things should be run. Did you know, that anyone who can play or instrument or sing a note is an expert on music? Yeah I was surprised too. I say that in jest, but sadly on many music teams there are far too many cooks in the kitchen, and often times the leader is undermined by those who “know better”. But, I believe that if God has positioned you to be in charge, He has equipped you to do the job.

As a leader, you need to set the standard for your team. Everyone would have been raised a different way, and have certain mindsets about church music, but it’s up to you to clearly communicate the churches vision for how this particular team will function. Character always wins out over talent. It’s better to have one musician who has the right attitude than 10 who don’t. There may be some growing pains. You may go through weeks where you’re basically leading the congregation on your own. But the cream will eventually rise to the top. Those who are willing to buy-in will stick around, and the rest will get weeded out.

Of course of all this depends on what kind of environment you’re walking into. The team might be on the right track and they just need a few tweaks, or it could be a toxic culture that needs to be completely re-set. But regardless of how many you’re working with, and what the temperature is, there are a couple of keys that should be a standard for every music team.

Commitment to a growing spiritual life.

Commitment to work ethic.

Musicians are on the front lines of battle so to speak, and therefore need stronger equipment to get the job done. It may be seen as a nuisance to some that they’re held to a higher standard, but such is the nature of the ministry. Obviously, in terms of their spiritual walk, each person will be a different place. But the key here is get everyone on the same page by stressing these three things:

the importance of an active prayer life, and Bible study (not just reading but learning).

the importance of holy and righteous living, being beyond reproach.

the importance of attending church, whether or not you’re scheduled to play/sing.

[Key Bible Verses: Ephesians 6:18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Psalm 119:9; Hebrews 10:25]

Every person, no matter how long they’ve been involved or how skilled they are, must be held to the same standard, no exceptions. Many musicians want to see how much rope they have until they’ll be reeled in. They will test you, and once you start giving leeway, you’ll never be able to effectively enforce the standard. It’s not a matter of being a drill sergeant. But you can’t let everything go either. There must be a balance, because yes while you are dealing with church volunteers who for the most part aren’t professionals, you also have a responsibility for a very crucial ministry.

Probably the most difficult thing to enforce is the importance of practice. There are a number of reasons why musicians don’t practice. They’re too busy with other things, they’re lazy, or they don’t see the importance of putting the time in. If you sense an attitude that says “I don’t need to practice at home. I’ll just come to rehearsal, read the chords and I’ll be fine”, you have to snuff it out immediately. That kind of sentiment will spread very quickly, because we’re always looking for the easy way out.

As a leader, you have to set the example. You have to come prepared, over-prepared even. You have to show your team that you have put the work in, and they have no choice but to follow suit. Unless you stress the importance of practice right away, you’ll always be chasing after people. And no one wants that. But let’s face it, there will always be people who simply don’t put the effort in. And in that case, I would be sure to teach them a very important point.

Being a part of any ministry at church is something that is done for the Lord. Yes, it’s also done for the people, but ultimately, what we’re doing is for God. Everything we do should be an outpouring of our praise and worship to Him. Worship is not the three slow songs we play on a Sunday morning. It’s a lifestyle of reverence and dedication to our God.

Matthew 15:8-9 says: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, their teachings are merely human rules”.

If worship was all about the songs we sing and the things we say, these verses would be unnecessary. But the word of God is stressing an extremely important value. Worship is a matter of the heart. Your motives will be weighed, and it doesn’t matter how good you sound on stage. Only what’s going on inside of you means anything to God. If we treat music ministry as inconsequential and not worth our dedication, we’re essentially showing God that He is less than worthy of our time. And really, what is more important in life than honoring our Lord?