A New Beginning - part 4

This is part 4 of an article on Ethnomusicology and the local church. Click here to begin with part 1.

THE FUTURE

Where does the church want to be musically?

Regardless of where you believe God is leading the church, the members have their own thoughts and desires for the music ministry. It is likely that the church will have very diverse opinions on their musical tastes and desires. Determining where they would like to be in five, ten, or even twenty years may be a daunting task. The process could create undo stress on the church if they believe that change will be forced on them. However, if due diligence has been paid by long term studies and analyses coupled with data taken directly from a cross section of the church membership, this could be one of the most exciting times for your church.

This process must begin with historical data showing the process of past musical patterns. Your local church may have a long tradition of worship that includes a choral ensemble singing classical anthems directed by a college or seminary educated music minister. But did the church begin with that from day one? Many elderly people assume that those old hymns they love are the same hymns that their parents and their grandparents loved as well. Historical data can help them to see that some of the most popular hymns of their generation were actually new hymns when they were children. Helping them to understand that their parents and grandparents were willing to learn new music for the sake of the next generation may just be the thing to help them think of the future generations of the church as well.

Help the church understand that musical styles have changed throughout the history of the church and that the church should be on the forefront of musical creativity. A brief study of music history in general should help them to see that the church was historically the leader in musical styles until fairly recently. This may take time to teach, so do not become frustrated if people do not immediately understand the importance of this.

After historical data is collected and shared with key groups, share the results of a current musical survey so that people will see how different the current musical tastes are from what they were twenty or fifty years ago. Help them to understand what brought about these changes: a new staff member joined; a new organ or piano was purchased; the local band director joined the church; or perhaps some non-musical event impacted the worship style.

After the church understands their history and their present, then you can find out how they see the future of their church musically. It is important that you allow for open discussions. Attempting to force them to choose a direction will often fail. Trusting the members to see the importance of making a change for the future will generally lead to better long term results. 

Where does the senior pastor want the church to be musically?

This is perhaps the area that creates the most frustration for worship pastors. Regardless of the direction that God is leading you, or where the members want to go musically, the senior pastor still must approve. It is not that the senior pastor is qualified to make decisions about music, but he still has an opinion that trumps all others on staff. For thirty years I have meet with fellow worship pastors who all have the same complaint: “My pastor would rather take advice from his preacher friends than accept my knowledge and training when it comes to the music ministry.”

When studying a tribe you will discover that the chief determines the direction that the tribe takes. This is not very different in churches. And while the senior pastor may not be the chief in your church (sometimes it is actually a deacon, or a certain power committee, or a large tither) you are not likely to make any changes successfully without the support of the senior pastor. Therefore you may need to spend just as much or even more time studying the senior pastor’s musically history and vision for the church.

What does God want for the church?

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor over it in vain.” (Psalm 127:1 HCSB)

Start your study with prayer. You may find that God is happy where the church is and that there is no need for any changes. More than likely God will reveal to you areas of necessary growth, improvement, or changes. While this is the last point, it should always be the place you begin. Seek to do what God wants and your task of convincing the church and your senior pastor will be much easier.

Granted, there are times when the senior pastor, the church, or both will be unwilling to follow the direction that God has called you to take. When that happens, you may feel like the lone voice in the wilderness sharing God’s message to deaf ears. Just remember that where you may fail, God is able. Spend some time in pray with your senior pastor and with key church members. Ask that God will make His will known to the entire church body. Be prepared for God to show you something new as well.

While it may seem that trying to convince the pastor or church is a lost cause, God may ask you to continue to tell them His will. Noah spent forty years preaching and not one person accepted God’s call. You may also hear God call you to another ministry where you can begin the process again. If that happens, don’t feel defeated. The experience you receive from your current church will better help you in your new church.