GUITAR
A THANK YOU TO THE CHURCH MUSICIANS | James Duke
I love being a part of the worship community . There ’ s not many musicians in other areas of music that can say they are part of a global movement . Through social media , we can connect with our fellow guitar players , drummers , keys players , bass players … everyone . We can get a glimpse into what other churches around the world are doing . We are all connected , and that is a really beautiful thing to think about .
As a musician , I ’ ve spent thousands of hours playing at church . From weekly rehearsals ( bless you guys that still go to a mid-week church rehearsal . That ’ s quite a sacrifice ), to the obligatory Sunday morning and , if you are a real savage , Sunday evening services . Most of the time , I loved it . The community aspect , the consistency , and the sharpening of my skills was worth more than any money I did or didn ’ t make . Those early years playing at my local church was the catalyst for my decision to pursue playing music and to primarily focus on working in the worship music industry .
Lately , I ’ ve spent a lot of time thinking about local church musicians and their roles in the modern worship movement . The committed , often volunteer players that , week after week , take the time to practice and learn the new worship songs that get released on a weekly basis . Often times they have day jobs and have to carve out their valuable free time to learn songs and play at their church . It ’ s funny , I really hadn ’ t even considered that when you work a full-time job and your weekends are your only days off , giving several hours of your time on a Saturday and Sunday to the church is quite the gift . That gift isn ’ t acknowledged as much as it should be .
When I was a young teenager , one of my favorite guitar players in the entire world was the guitar player that played at my church . His name was Rick . Rick was there every Sunday
( morning and evening ), Wednesday evening , and Thursday evening , which was their rehearsal night . Guys , he was always there . I ’ ve seen Rick play more than any other guitar player in the world , probably ten times over . He was a great guitar player , had a great ear , and he could jam . He was classically trained , so he could sight read any chart he needed to , and he had a great sense of humor . Rick was my first guitar teacher and mentor and , without him , I wouldn ’ t be where I am now .
Rick had a day job . He had a family and all the responsibilities that go with it . He had to make time for those rehearsals and church services . I ’ m sure there were weeks where he would have rather been anywhere else but at church , but he still showed up and delivered . Week after week , year after year . His dedication impacted many lives , including mine .
So , to my church musician friends all over the world ; Maybe you are swamped at work and grasping to find the time to practice and learn the songs you have to play this weekend . Perhaps you are skipping a well-earned , fun , relaxing hang time with your friends to spread the love of Jesus on Sunday morning . Maybe you are questioning why you even bother . I ’ d like to say that what you do is important . What you do matters and it changes lives . It sure changed mine . Thank you . Go play guitar .
James Duke James is a musician , songwriter , and producer from Jacksonville Beach , Florida . Most known for playing guitar alongside artists like John Mark McMillan , Matt Redman , Johnnyswim , and Steven Curtis Chapman , James also records his own music under the name All The Bright Lights . He currently lives in Nashville , Tennessee with his wife and 3 kids ..