camp in ’ 68 . Upon returning to high school for my senior year I met two people who influenced my direction in life and in music .
The first was a youth pastor at my church . He was a singer / guitar player and a gifted leader and communicator . He encouraged me to step up my game in the faith and he also nurtured my raw talent .
The second influence was a guy I met in a harmony / theory class in my high school . He was a rebellious pastor ’ s kid who happened to be a musical genius and gifted multiinstrumentalist . He encouraged me to follow my passion with music . He threw me into the deep end of the pool , “ let ’ s start a band ”, “ why don ’ t you do this gig with me ”. There was no way out , I was challenged to forget my fears and step out into this great unknown . I feel like God led these people into my life at the perfect time .
Decades later , I see how God has watched over me and directed me in amazing ways . When I look back at the times when nothing seemed to be working out , I now know that God was using people and circumstances to teach me to trust in Him . My anxieties about the future were a waste of time in hindsight . I ’ m still learning to depend on Him every day . I still find Him to be supremely reliable when things seem out of control .
PREPARATION WILL PAY OFF .
I was gifted with “ good ears ”; the ability to hear harmony , pitch , and timing , basic musical instincts . The problem came when I wanted to apply my natural ability to making music . I was lazy and apprehensive . I didn ’ t know how to practice , and I was afraid to perform for people . I needed big doses of encouragement and discipline . I was slow to realize that there is no secret to musical excellence , just a long road of rehearsal and doing a ton of gigs that may not feel like they ’ re that special at the time .
It ’ s not cheating to be well-prepared for worship . There are a lot of myths regarding the “ magic ” of spontaneity in music . The phrase “ we nailed it on the first take ” is deceptive .
That “ one take ” performance was likely the product of hours of personal practice . The effort of a team of veteran musicians who know their instruments . Who are comfortable working together and listen to each other . Engineers who know their gear and can overcome technical challenges . Adding to that “ magic moment ” are the songwriters who have spent years working on their craft , creating material that ’ s worth recording and performing .
Don ’ t buy into the myth that preparation is somehow not trusting in God . True , we can do nothing without the Spirit ’ s help and direction . Making great music for worship is a daunting task , one to be approached with awe and respect . We desperately need Divine intervention . That doesn ’ t mean it ’ s not a lot of fun , it ’ s the best . There ’ s nothing like having a dialog with God in worship , leading others to Him while being part of a great team .
Take the gig seriously and be ready when the opportunities come . The more time and energy you spend in preparation , practice , prayer and planning , the better worshiper you will become .