DRUMS
A DRUMMER IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER | Carl Albrecht
I believe musicians and singers are the gatekeepers to the presence of the Lord for the church and the whole world. Yes, all believers have a call to be worshippers, but the artists have a significant role in being the leaders. We are not better people or God’ s favorites. We were just made to“ create a space” where we can all meet with the Lord. That’ s our job, our calling.( II CHRON. 34: 12 – 13“… The Levites – all who were skilled in playing musical instruments – had charge of the laborers and supervised all the workers from job to job.”)
The training for church musicians should be two fold. Both technical and spiritual disciplines are a must.( I CHRON. 25: 7“… all of them trained in music for the Lord …”) So besides the hours of practice and study it takes to hone your musical skills we also need to pursue spiritual disciplines. I know for a musician this can seem like a big responsibility. You may be thinking,“ Hey Carl, I just want to play drums in the band. Give me a break!” But stay with me here and I believe you’ ll find something in your playing that perhaps you’ ve never experienced before.
My technical training involves practicing new ideas. I buy new drum books and watch the latest drum YouTube demonstrations. I go to all the drum and percussion clinics I can fit into my schedule. After 50 years of playing professionally I still look for someone to help me get to the next level. I like working on new grooves, new songs, and just having fun learning more about the gift the Lord has placed in me.
The spiritual study is just as important. I’ m always“ in the Word” and reading ministry books, but I also read issues of Modern Drummer. One is more about the“ heart” issues of being a worshipper; the other discusses all the latest happenings in the drum world. If you are just playing the instrument and not pressing into the presence of God you are only doing half of the job. I personally believe if you are not pursuing the Lord like the“ lead worshipper” you could be dead weight in a worship band. Musicians and singers who don’ t join the worship leader in the pursuit of God seem to“ bring the vibe down” if you catch my meaning. When you are pressing into the worship experience something happens. Worship leaders have said to me,“ Carl, it feels like you’ re pushing or compelling me to go after God deeper when you’ re playing. What is that?” I’ m not totally sure what that all encompasses. All I know is that I’ m as desperate for the presence of God as they are and that unity affects the atmosphere.
Before worship starts I’ m praying. I talk to the Lord about what He would like to see happen. Even as I prepare my drums and music I have my“ spiritual antenna” up trying to sense what’ s going on in the atmosphere. Sometimes the Lord convicts me of something and I have to repent. There are times I feel intercession rise up in me because there is a battle raging in the spirit realm. I’ m also listening to the lead worshipper. How do they feel today? What do they want to accomplish in the worship time? How is the rest of the team doing? Everyone is important! So you see there is a lot happening before the music even begins.
As the music does start I’ m still listening to the Spirit. Maybe the worship leader pauses because they sense something from the Lord. I go there with them in my heart. I start to pray for them; pray“ with” them. I’ m asking the Lord to help us meet Him where He is and do as He pleases. In every moment I’ m aware of being in the presence of God and wanting the people to feel free to enter. I’ m standing guard at the gates of the presence of God so the lead worshipper can take the people in with him. That’ s what it“ feels” like to me. Yet, my words seem so incapable of creating a complete picture. I just pray it helps you discover why the Lord made you a musician.( I SAMUEL 10: 5 – 11“… they will be coming down from a high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps
… and they will be prophesying. The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.”
Stir up the gift within you, as a priest in the house of the Lord and you will see the Lord honor your efforts. He desires to see us fulfill the calling He has given us. The Lord truly inhabits the praises of His people. He said He will be found when we search for Him with all of our heart. Even though I feel I know Him well I’ m still searching; still reaching.“ Lord, I’ m desperate for You!”
Blessings to you as you reach out to Him,
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 carlralbrecht @ gmail. com
110 August 2026 Subscribe for Free...