Who is this guy??

Playing bass in the Sunday church band years back a new keyboardist came up to me and started directing me how to play a certain part.

Who is this guy??

I’ve never seen this guy ever before in my life, he was a pretty good musician, but he just popped up one Sunday morning and started directing the group.

I guess I didn’t get the memo.

Turns out this new keyboardist was the new music director. I wish someone told me.

I played guitar at the time as a hired side musician, but the new music director wanted full commitment and time from all the musicians. I completely understand his dilemma but most of the musicians there were just hired musicians. The church didn’t have a much of a budget to pay all the musicians for extra rehearsal time during the week.

Music was our day job to pay the bills and they wanted us to work with no pay.

Back to the main premise. 

The music director was a hot shot musician from down south in San Diego, Ca. I heard he’s been a music director for two decades, We’ll… It sure didn’t show.

My approach would have been a lot different when it comes to leading a new group.

My first step before anything would be to build relationships with every member of the group. I wouldn’t just show up unannounced and start barking orders, as if everyone is gonna listen.

There a five levels to leadership and everyone starts at stage one. Plus lots of times many leaders just stay at stage one. Which make me wanna cry  Boo-hoo!

To increase your leadership you need to increase your influence.

Understanding these five levels of leadership and following through will increase your influence.

5 Levels of Leadership

1. Positional – People follow because they have to, not because they want to. Everyone starts at this position, but you don’t wanna stay there.
2. Permission – People follow you because they like you. It’s a wonderful stage to be on. It’s your ability to connect with people.
3. Production – People follow you because of what you’ve done for the band and results that follow.
4. People Development – People follow because of what you’ve done for them.  As a leader you choose certain people to train to become a leader in the group. You reproduce your skills by training others.
5. Personhood – People follow because of who are and what you represent.

The first level is given to you by being hired from a producer, agent, church or record executive to lead a band, The next three levels you have to earn and the last level is automatically given to you.

When people follow you because they have to, there’s no commitment, but as you climb each level the stronger commitment you get from your band mates.

Remember, if you ignore a level and assume you don’t have to commit to it, than you’ll get dragged down a level.

As a leader you won’t be on the same level with every band member. You have to build a closer rapport with those that are not on the same level as you.

Your success is not based on your band, your success is based on you.

John Maxwell is a great leader that has written many books on leadership. I’ve received lots of education from many of his books including:

[AMAZONPRODUCTS asin=”0785288376, B000SEITAG, B006IED4AA “]

Check out this John Maxwell’s books it’s well worth it. I believe this new music director I encounter in the story I told,  should take a look John Maxwells material.

Back to the story:

After a month in that band I left because I couldn’t commit to their demands, but that’s okay. No hard feelings. I still kept in touch with the band members. After 6 months the music director left and went back down to San Diego because of undisclosed reasons.

Gee, I wonder what they were. Lol:)

Super quote:

“People never care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
John Maxwell.

“Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.”
John maxwell

I guess that’s it for now thinking musicians, I’ll see ya next time and don’t be shy and leave a comment below and share this post with others.

Peace.

Who is this guy??

Playing bass in the Sunday church band years back a new keyboardist came up to me and started directing me how to play a certain part.

Who is this guy??

I’ve never seen this guy ever before in my life, he was a pretty good musician, but he just popped up one Sunday morning and started directing the group.

I guess I didn’t get the memo.

Turns out this new keyboardist was the new music director. I wish someone told me.

I played guitar at the time as a hired side musician, but the new music director wanted full commitment and time from all the musicians. I completely understand his dilemma but most of the musicians there were just hired musicians. The church didn’t have a much of a budget to pay all the musicians for extra rehearsal time during the week.

Music was our day job to pay the bills and they wanted us to work with no pay.

Back to the main premise. 

The music director was a hot shot musician from down south in San Diego, Ca. I heard he’s been a music director for two decades, We’ll… It sure didn’t show.

My approach would have been a lot different when it comes to leading a new group.

My first step before anything would be to build relationships with every member of the group. I wouldn’t just show up unannounced and start barking orders, as if everyone is gonna listen.

There a five levels to leadership and everyone starts at stage one. Plus lots of times many leaders just stay at stage one. Which make me wanna cry  Boo-hoo!

To increase your leadership you need to increase your influence.

Understanding these five levels of leadership and following through will increase your influence.

5 Levels of Leadership

1. Positional – People follow because they have to, not because they want to. Everyone starts at this position, but you don’t wanna stay there.
2. Permission – People follow you because they like you. It’s a wonderful stage to be on. It’s your ability to connect with people.
3. Production – People follow you because of what you’ve done for the band and results that follow.
4. People Development – People follow because of what you’ve done for them.  As a leader you choose certain people to train to become a leader in the group. You reproduce your skills by training others.
5. Personhood – People follow because of who are and what you represent.

The first level is given to you by being hired from a producer, agent, church or record executive to lead a band, The next three levels you have to earn and the last level is automatically given to you.

When people follow you because they have to, there’s no commitment, but as you climb each level the stronger commitment you get from your band mates.

Remember, if you ignore a level and assume you don’t have to commit to it, than you’ll get dragged down a level.

As a leader you won’t be on the same level with every band member. You have to build a closer rapport with those that are not on the same level as you.

Your success is not based on your band, your success is based on you.

John Maxwell is a great leader that has written many books on leadership. I’ve received lots of education from many of his books including:

[AMAZONPRODUCTS asin=”0785288376, B000SEITAG, B006IED4AA “]

Check out this John Maxwell’s books it’s well worth it. I believe this new music director I encounter in the story I told,  should take a look John Maxwells material.

Back to the story:

After a month in that band I left because I couldn’t commit to their demands, but that’s okay. No hard feelings. I still kept in touch with the band members. After 6 months the music director left and went back down to San Diego because of undisclosed reasons.

Gee, I wonder what they were. Lol:)

Super quote:

“People never care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
John Maxwell.

“Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.”
John maxwell

I guess that’s it for now thinking musicians, I’ll see ya next time and don’t be shy and leave a comment below and share this post with others.

Peace.

“Sorry bro, but I’m going to have put you on discipline for the next month…”

“What?!?” Daniel shouted.

“Your young, talented but you need to learn the ropes. Your maturity needs to grow bud.” I said. “Your attitude need to change and you know what you did.”

“I’m gonna talk to pastor.” Daniel shouted as he stormed out.

Oh great! I thought to myself another diva. Every time this happens my head explodes.

I learned my lesson. Next time there has to be an age limit, no young juniors. There has to be auditions and trials periods even if it is the pastors kid. I wrote a blog on the importance of creating agreements click here.

Yup, I had to deal with dumb things like that, no offense to those that like to deal with that sort of thing. But, I’m sure most music directors would prefer not to.

I’m blessed not having to deal with infidelities or violence or anything of that sort. It happens, many of my worship leader acquaintances have really interesting stories.

Here are the reasons why I won’t be return as music director.

1. The politics

In the small little story I told above were just small trivial annoyances that were not necessary.

But…

I’m a servant leader of the Lord and those are issues that a servant leader has to deal with every now and then.

If your pastor requests something from you. As a minister and servant you have to obey even though you wouldn’t necessarily agree with the request.

It’s all about being a team player and obeying your elder.

When I was music director there was loads of disorganization that I was attempting to control. This required change.

And.. As you know change is one of the hardest things for people to accept.

I was by far from perfect. I learned about leadership from John Maxwell and was mentored by some great leaders and tried to apply their teachings.

Learning is one thing, but actually trying to apply it is another. Especially when the powers to be don’t necessarily agree with your great idea.

That’s just one ounce of politics that one has to go through.

I had to venture out and start this blog and express my ideas on a platform that can potentially reach millions.

I love my church but I need to preach, teach and reach more.

2. Inherit a lemon

After moving out from my position from my church in Lynwood,Ca I started attending my friend Angelo’s church and began playing bass for a good year.

My buddy Angelo was currently music director. After about a year he decided to move to another congregation and wanted to appoint me as the new music director.

Uh oh!

I was actually gonna to take off as well and Angelo wasn’t aware of it.

Plus, I observed many challenges he had to go through with the team.

Challenges I didn’t want to partake in.

I love people but sometimes they’re hard to handle.

After I left I tried applying many times for a full time position as music director for many churches after I moved from my old church.

A long and arduous search led me to make a decision to not pursue any lemons.

Know what I mean.

3. Attitudes

We all have to deal with attitudes but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to accept them.

I’m the type of person that is trying to achieve happiness for everyone. Not everyone’s gonna be happy and I can’t create happiness for all.

Whatever God brings my way I will gladly serve but that’s one of my lame reasons.

We all go through it.

4. Self employed

I have been self employed for over 10 years to date as music instructor and professional musician.

It’s been awhile since I had to be somewhere at a certain time and being told what to do for a paycheck. I’m glad I took the leap with my entrepreneurship.

Being told what to do for a paycheck is not really what I think God has planned for me. At least I hope.:)

Applying to many church’s for a music director positions and being confined to four walls is not my idea of trying to obey the Great Commission:

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16-20

My employer is Jesus not man. I respect many pastors and their authority but unlike them they’re human not super human. And just because someone has been ordained in the church does not mean they are holier and more spiritual than you. They just have bigger responsibilities.

I prefer to venture out and do what Jesus did. I believe that’s what God has in store for me but only time will tell.

5. Church ideology

I would have to find a church that is extremely open to my ideas. Not sure if I could find one at least where I live.

Every church must have mission statement whether it’s written down or not. The importance of a written mission statement is a vital aspect for any church. It clearly defines what that target is. I haven’t found any that matches mine.

Worship Team Comics Mission statement: The mission is to impact, serve, teach preach and reach the gospel of music and Christ to worship teams, musicians, and singers to influence and change the world.

I have tried to make a difference by being unique.

Jesus was definetly a unique individual, not everyone followed or agreed with his radical ideas, but he knew that.

And so do I.

6. Hard work

I’m a big advocate of work hard and especially work smart. Leading a group of individuals has it’s ups and downs.

I’m not complaining or being a big baby. I want to work hard on what Gods mission has in store for me. Not someone else’s mission.

7. Different Path

At the moment God has placed me in a situation where I can share and teach with the world my story, successes, and failures.

A wise man once said: ‘Wise men learn from their mistakes but wiser men learn from the mistakes of others.”

You learn from your failures not you successes. I believe the road that I’m strolling along in is the road God has led me to.

In the future Jesus may call me back to lead a team once again.

I serve at my church Oasis as bassist and volunteer music director. Every now and then they ask me to lead the team.

Conclusion

I’m happy with my position at the moment I serve only a few times per month at Oasis so I can concentration on teaching and serving you guys.

Success is a process not an event. Remember, it doesn’t happen overnight.

Well, those are my reasons why I won’t be back as a music director any time soon. Feel free to share this post with your neighbor if you see any value in it.

Question…

Do you believe God will ever lead you into a different purpose?

“Sorry bro, but I’m going to have put you on discipline for the next month…”

“What?!?” Daniel shouted.

“Your young, talented but you need to learn the ropes. Your maturity needs to grow bud.” I said. “Your attitude need to change and you know what you did.”

“I’m gonna talk to pastor.” Daniel shouted as he stormed out.

Oh great! I thought to myself another diva. Every time this happens my head explodes.

I learned my lesson. Next time there has to be an age limit, no young juniors. There has to be auditions and trials periods even if it is the pastors kid. I wrote a blog on the importance of creating agreements click here.

Yup, I had to deal with dumb things like that, no offense to those that like to deal with that sort of thing. But, I’m sure most music directors would prefer not to.

I’m blessed not having to deal with infidelities or violence or anything of that sort. It happens, many of my worship leader acquaintances have really interesting stories.

Here are the reasons why I won’t be return as music director.

1. The politics

In the small little story I told above were just small trivial annoyances that were not necessary.

But…

I’m a servant leader of the Lord and those are issues that a servant leader has to deal with every now and then.

If your pastor requests something from you. As a minister and servant you have to obey even though you wouldn’t necessarily agree with the request.

It’s all about being a team player and obeying your elder.

When I was music director there was loads of disorganization that I was attempting to control. This required change.

And.. As you know change is one of the hardest things for people to accept.

I was by far from perfect. I learned about leadership from John Maxwell and was mentored by some great leaders and tried to apply their teachings.

Learning is one thing, but actually trying to apply it is another. Especially when the powers to be don’t necessarily agree with your great idea.

That’s just one ounce of politics that one has to go through.

I had to venture out and start this blog and express my ideas on a platform that can potentially reach millions.

I love my church but I need to preach, teach and reach more.

2. Inherit a lemon

After moving out from my position from my church in Lynwood,Ca I started attending my friend Angelo’s church and began playing bass for a good year.

My buddy Angelo was currently music director. After about a year he decided to move to another congregation and wanted to appoint me as the new music director.

Uh oh!

I was actually gonna to take off as well and Angelo wasn’t aware of it.

Plus, I observed many challenges he had to go through with the team.

Challenges I didn’t want to partake in.

I love people but sometimes they’re hard to handle.

After I left I tried applying many times for a full time position as music director for many churches after I moved from my old church.

A long and arduous search led me to make a decision to not pursue any lemons.

Know what I mean.

3. Attitudes

We all have to deal with attitudes but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to accept them.

I’m the type of person that is trying to achieve happiness for everyone. Not everyone’s gonna be happy and I can’t create happiness for all.

Whatever God brings my way I will gladly serve but that’s one of my lame reasons.

We all go through it.

4. Self employed

I have been self employed for over 10 years to date as music instructor and professional musician.

It’s been awhile since I had to be somewhere at a certain time and being told what to do for a paycheck. I’m glad I took the leap with my entrepreneurship.

Being told what to do for a paycheck is not really what I think God has planned for me. At least I hope.:)

Applying to many church’s for a music director positions and being confined to four walls is not my idea of trying to obey the Great Commission:

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16-20

My employer is Jesus not man. I respect many pastors and their authority but unlike them they’re human not super human. And just because someone has been ordained in the church does not mean they are holier and more spiritual than you. They just have bigger responsibilities.

I prefer to venture out and do what Jesus did. I believe that’s what God has in store for me but only time will tell.

5. Church ideology

I would have to find a church that is extremely open to my ideas. Not sure if I could find one at least where I live.

Every church must have mission statement whether it’s written down or not. The importance of a written mission statement is a vital aspect for any church. It clearly defines what that target is. I haven’t found any that matches mine.

Worship Team Comics Mission statement: The mission is to impact, serve, teach preach and reach the gospel of music and Christ to worship teams, musicians, and singers to influence and change the world.

I have tried to make a difference by being unique.

Jesus was definetly a unique individual, not everyone followed or agreed with his radical ideas, but he knew that.

And so do I.

6. Hard work

I’m a big advocate of work hard and especially work smart. Leading a group of individuals has it’s ups and downs.

I’m not complaining or being a big baby. I want to work hard on what Gods mission has in store for me. Not someone else’s mission.

7. Different Path

At the moment God has placed me in a situation where I can share and teach with the world my story, successes, and failures.

A wise man once said: ‘Wise men learn from their mistakes but wiser men learn from the mistakes of others.”

You learn from your failures not you successes. I believe the road that I’m strolling along in is the road God has led me to.

In the future Jesus may call me back to lead a team once again.

I serve at my church Oasis as bassist and volunteer music director. Every now and then they ask me to lead the team.

Conclusion

I’m happy with my position at the moment I serve only a few times per month at Oasis so I can concentration on teaching and serving you guys.

Success is a process not an event. Remember, it doesn’t happen overnight.

Well, those are my reasons why I won’t be back as a music director any time soon. Feel free to share this post with your neighbor if you see any value in it.

Question…

Do you believe God will ever lead you into a different purpose?

After 6 months of being a music director for the “Church of Jesus Christ” (not the Latter Day Saints) church choir, my vocal director who was the one in charge of the choir decided to change congregations due to personal reasons of course.

Who was going to take over?

Everybody immediately wanted little ol’ me to run the choir. Now, I’m 19, a year just out of high school I had zero experience in leadership. Fear just consumed me, there was no way I was going to take over this massive undertaking.

Yes, I chickened out! You can laugh later.

Fortunately, I became music director of another church just 2 years later, but that’s another story. I’ve been a music minister of The Lord since I was about 10 years of age.

You would figure I would know something about how to run a church band by 19, right?

I actually did know something, I just didn’t have the confidence or certain personality traits under my belt. But you have to start somewhere.

Leaders are made, not born.

After almost 15 years of being a leader in the church and as an educator I have failed a gazillion times and I’m still making mistakes. And praying that I don’t make the same mistakes twice.

I don’t claim to be the perfect leader and probably won’t ever be. Failures have given me wisdom to be prepared for the future.

At first I was thinking of coming up with just a list of 10 things but the Holy Ghost came over me and I almost started speaking In tongues ( ah-la,la,la,la, shandororo, shaba!) and I forked out 35 qualifications of a music director. Here they are in no particular order.

1. Passion: If you don’t love this gig than your team and yourself won’t grow.
2. Learner: Conformity keeps your team stagnate, become a lifelong learner and pickup some new skills. Your team will grow and learn as you do.
3. People Person: Fear, apathy and shyness of people will keep you distant for others. Build social skills and start loving people.
4. Challenge: Difficulties will always happen. Take them with joy and as a learning process. Challenges will strengthen your team.
5. Integrity: Being honest and consistent in your values and morals are true qualities of a leader.
6. Vision: Where there is no vision the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 There has to be a target or goal bigger than ourselves to keep us in the right path. No vision equals a man shooting a gun at the mall with a blind fold. People are going to get hurt.
7. Persistence: This quality will keep you coming back no matter how many times you fail.
8. Failure: I have failed a billion times and because of these failures I grow an even wiser leader. This is a key catalyst to success.
9. Action: Physical movement towards our goal will make your vision a lot more attainable than just talking about it. Shoot procrastination in the face and become a walker not a talker.
10. Survivor: The enemy is always trying find ways to thwart our plans which can affect us mentally, emotionally and physically. Most folks give up easily and quit. Find ways to keep you motivated. Be a survivor.
11. Motivation: Without motivation growth will never come to you or your team. Make sure your vision serves others and is big enough to keep your people moving forward.
12. Discipline: When motivation likes to take a breather you need discipline to take over. Discipline will keep everything in the right path when you feel unmotivated and walk off the path.
13. Great Communicator: One word, ” Clarity”. Clear communication with your team is crucial. Always speak about the vision clearly so everyone can stay in the right path.
14. Humility: Don’t let arrogance creep right in when things are going so well. Humility keeps you grounded and unselfish.
15. Music Lover: This a no brainer.
16. Musically Educated: I have met many music directors that don’t know a lick about music theory but are excellent musicians. But, I guarantee you if they did, they would be amazing! Keep educating yourself and your value will increase.
17. Management Skills: Knowing how to manage and work with others is definitely a skill that’s needs to be learned. I have horror stories.
18. Creative: Be different and unique, don’t follow the pack, create your own ideas and music. Then you’ll stand out in front of everyone.
19. Embrace Change: Humanity hates change and that is the reason why most never accomplish their goals. We have to change with the times and utilize new ideas in order to grow. Hurry before you miss the train.
20. Decisiveness: Great leader take time to make proper educated decisions. Decisions in haste is a waste.
21. Prepared: Order and preparation is a the key to winning the battle. Without prep time and training we’re gonna get blown up.
22. Teacher: Having the heart of a teacher is a great attribute. Train your team and leaders will follow.
23. Patience: Sometimes frustration gets the best of us when an issue gets in our way. We need to learn to wait but train daily so when the time comes we are prepared.
24. Listener: When opportunity or problems loom in the horizon our ears need to be attentive to address the event.
25. Musical Ear: A good ear will help identify musical issues or even creative ideas. Also it will help tighten your team musically.
26. Commitment: Are you in or are you out? That’s all I got to say.
27. Positive Attitude: Yes, problems will happen. A great attitude will keep the environment positive and uplifting and in the right direction.
28. Focus: Distractions suck! A great director knows how set aside a time and space where no outside irritations will put a wrench in their progress.
29. Security Delegation: Knowing when to release some power to others is a sign of trust and great leadership.
30. Generosity: Serving others is what it’s all about. Selfishness brings people down and unselfishness nurtures others.
31. Problem Solver: This quality comes with experience. When issues occur you know what to do. Or don’t you?
32. Team Player: A great music director works well with others and when something is asked of him or her there is no hesitation to get thing done.

Wow, that’s I pretty big list. Many of the qualities listed will take time develop and will not happen over night. Wisdom is a lifelong learning process.

My journey to achieve perfection in all these qualities will never occur due to human nature. But, I can pretty be pretty close.

Please, If I have left out any qualities that you think is missing from my list. Than feel free to list them in the comments below.

Roland

The winner is….

Johann Sebastien Bach!

Bach rules all. He is not only consider probably the greatest composer that ever lived, but also the greatest worship music director that ever lived.

Bach, was born in 1685 in Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany, into a family of amazing musicians. From 1723 until his death in 1750 he was at Leipzig, where he taught, conducted, sang, played, and composed.

This guy had 20 children, four of them became composers as well.

He wrote altogether about two hundred cantatas, including at least two for each Sunday and holy day in the Lutheran church year.

Bach was a nobody

Millions of people have heard of J. S. Bach. There are many Bach Societies, Bach Festivals, even entire orchestras dedicated to his work. Thousands of concerts and hundreds of CDs present his amazing music. Yet when he was alive, Bach was barely known as a composer.

J. S. Bach didn’t really dig stardom, fame, or fortune. Once, when an acquaintance gave him props on Bach’s organ skills. Bach replied, “There is nothing very wonderful about it; you have only to hit the right notes at the right moment and the instrument does the rest.”

Bach’s Desires

Bach said, “Music’s only purpose should be the glory of God and the recreation of the human spirit.” Music was given to glorify God in heaven. Not to feed the musician’s ego, or to be famous.

Even though he possessed a musical genius found only once in awhile, he chose to live a private life as a church musician. For a while, he worked as Kapellmeister of the court of Prince Leopold. But it kind of distracted him too much. He soon left to accept a position as cantor at a church in Leipzig.

Spreading the Gospel Through Music

Johann Sebastian Bach is bringing Christianity to Japan through the awesomeness of his music. There are reports of many Japanese, inspired by his cantatas, converting to Christianity.

Masaaki Suzuki, is the founder of a school for Bach’s music in Japan, says that, “Bach is teaching us the Christian concept of hope.” And Yoshikazu Tokuzen, of Japan’s National Christian Council, calls Bach nothing less than “a vehicle of the Holy Spirit.”

Conclusion

Bach dedicated his music and life to God, he was pretty much composing every week for Sunday church service, preparing the choir and also teaching.

I think we should reflect as musicians where we are spiritually and musically when it comes to the success of our band Bach’s life is indeed an example of who a true music director should be.

I have a playlist on Spotify specifically for Bach it keeps me motivating and every time I listen to it.

It’s always a pleasure sharing with you and if you’ve enjoyed this post don’t be shy and click on one of the share buttons below.

Roland