DRUMS
ALWAYS DRUMMING IN THE PRESENCE | Carl Albrecht
I ’ ve been writing about technique and growing in your drumming skills quite a bit lately . The musical journey of a musician should never end . It ’ s always in process . Discovering how to groove better , developing more chops , learning the latest technology … etc . It ’ s vital to our drumming journey . But it ’ s time to step back again and address the heart of the worship drummer . Keeping your focus on the Lord , serving the worship leader , and leading people into His presence is your highest calling . Everything else serves that .
I put on my best “ game face ” and sat down at the drums to express my love for the Lord in what He has gifted me to do . As one of the pastors welcomed everyone and started to pray , the band started to play softly under what was being said . I honestly didn ’ t hear him ( the pastor ) very clearly , but the Lord spoke to me . He said , “ Play so softly that know one else can hear it . But I will hear it … and right now that is all that matters .” So for the next few moments I just used my fingers and played the drums and cymbals to worship the Lord .
There will be times that no matter how much you prepare and practice that things will not go as well as you thought they would . But the calling or job of a drummer in any group is to lay down a solid foundation of tempo and groove . In a worship team there can be an extra duty of being the one who brings the focus of the team onto the Lord and ministering to Him . This is , of course , the calling of every worship team member , but quite often we just let the worship leader or pastor carry the responsibility . It really should not be that way .
There is a moment in worship where there is a tangible sense that God is in the room . Of course God is present everywhere , but I ’ m talking about that “ manifest presence ” of the Lord when people are singing , praising , shouting , clapping hands , dancing , etc . And yes , sometimes it ’ s in the silent moments of worship too that we sense the Lord ’ s presence . We just have to stay tuned into the Lord as we play … or NOT play . Things will always happen that can distract us from our primary goal as a worship musician . It happens to everyone , but staying focused when distractions happen can keep you from loosing heart , and help you to maintain your passion as you play .
In the middle of a recent struggle I sensed the Lord saying to just worship Him . The issue and details are not important . But what it was doing to me as I tried to worship was not good . It was a total distraction . The Lord just continued to speak through “ the noise ” and said , “ Don ’ t focus on what is not working in your life right now , or “ the issue ,” just do your best to pour your heart into this moment with ME .” And so
It was odd … and amazing at the same time . My heart immediately refocused on why I was there , and what worship is really about and Who it really is for .
( I Chronicles 25:7 NIV - … all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord .) Yes , I ’ m there to serve the band and the people , but my first calling is to make music for the Lord . And so I immediately felt spiritually recalibrated .
The other issues were NOT resolved . It just didn ’ t seem to matter anymore . It felt like jumping off of a cliff into a perfect swimming hole . The presence of the Lord does that to me sometimes . I hope you feel that when you are worshipping too . I was still working hard to focus on the musicality and deal with some of the technical distractions . Just because I was having a good time in the presence of the Lord does not mean that I neglected the job I had to do . But being focused on the Lord and sensing His nearness gave me strength and determination to overcome them .
I feel the character or personality of drummers is to be one that rallies the troops . It ’ s not surprising that drums historically were used in
battle to bring armies into step ; to keep order ; to determine the pace ; etc . And so it is in modern worship music . Drumming is not just about hitting things and pounding out rhythm . It ’ s about being a minstrel of the Lord ... assisting the lead worshipper in keeping the band in step , and rallying the people to meet with God . We are the first line of servant leadership for a worship team . And so I ’ m reminding myself and my fellow drummers to stay in line … in step with their high calling . Always play for the glory of God and to release a sound that welcomes the King of Kings and Lord of Lords . Everything else is secondary , and falls in step to that . --
March on ! – Carl .
Carl Albrecht Professional drummer for 30 + years , playing with Paul Baloche , Don Moen , Ron Kenoly , Abe Laboriel , LeAnn Rimes and others . He ’ s also a clinician , author & pastor . Contact Carl for coaching , online lessons , producing , or sessions . I ’ m still growing too ... www . CarlAlbrecht . com LMAlbrecht @ aol . com