“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…