Don't Compete...Complete
There is a profound thought that I have held fast to ever since my study of J.S. Bach’s philosophy of church music as constructed by his actions. This thought has helped to guide my ministry in every situation regardless of most every other circumstance. It is a very simple thought that seems obvious at first glance. The thought: Bach made use of the resources he had.
How does this relate to church music? How often have you heard or even thought such things as, “If we only had a good drummer,” or “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a good keyboardist,” or “Just think of what we could do if only we had a bigger budget.” I am sure there are many other examples. But Bach did not leave letters of complaints about what he did not have. Instead he based his music on what was available. This is one of the reasons for some rather unusual voicings in his church music. If he had castrati he wrote music for them. If he had violist he included a part for them in the accompaniment.
Too many churches look at what the mega-churches are doing and despair because they will never be able to compete with that. Even if your church has some singers or instrumentalists equivalent to the talent of Brooklyn Tabernacle, you still may not have the resources to put together a 300 voice choir, full orchestra, top-notch Praise Band, composers, writers and arrangers as well as the equipment necessary for orchestrating and printing scores.
I think this desire to compete or imitate others is the downfall of creativity. Don’t compete…complete. Try taking a look at what resources you have and decide how to make the best of the people, talent and tithes of your church. If you still come up a little short, consider partnering with other local churches to engage a community spirit in the music ministries of each church. Loan your best singer to another church for a program and borrow their great guitar player for yours.
Work with other churches to set up a lending list of individuals who would be willing to help out as needed. This may require some cooperative calendaring between the various churches. Just remember what Rick Warren has said, “It’s not all about you.” Let’s do this for the glory of God and the growth of His kingdom.
How does this relate to church music? How often have you heard or even thought such things as, “If we only had a good drummer,” or “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a good keyboardist,” or “Just think of what we could do if only we had a bigger budget.” I am sure there are many other examples. But Bach did not leave letters of complaints about what he did not have. Instead he based his music on what was available. This is one of the reasons for some rather unusual voicings in his church music. If he had castrati he wrote music for them. If he had violist he included a part for them in the accompaniment.
Too many churches look at what the mega-churches are doing and despair because they will never be able to compete with that. Even if your church has some singers or instrumentalists equivalent to the talent of Brooklyn Tabernacle, you still may not have the resources to put together a 300 voice choir, full orchestra, top-notch Praise Band, composers, writers and arrangers as well as the equipment necessary for orchestrating and printing scores.
I think this desire to compete or imitate others is the downfall of creativity. Don’t compete…complete. Try taking a look at what resources you have and decide how to make the best of the people, talent and tithes of your church. If you still come up a little short, consider partnering with other local churches to engage a community spirit in the music ministries of each church. Loan your best singer to another church for a program and borrow their great guitar player for yours.
Work with other churches to set up a lending list of individuals who would be willing to help out as needed. This may require some cooperative calendaring between the various churches. Just remember what Rick Warren has said, “It’s not all about you.” Let’s do this for the glory of God and the growth of His kingdom.
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