DRUMS
[ THREE WAYS DRUMMERS CAN SUPPORT NEW OR GUEST WORSHIP LEADERS ]
Daniel Hadaway
Play drums for church long enough, and you’ll
everything we can enable them to lead.
no doubt find yourself in a situation where you
ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT OTHERS
If you’re struggling with the “newness” of having
are supporting a new worship leader, or a guest HAVE A “CAN-DO” ATTITUDE a guest worship leader, the other musicians
worship leader. As drummers, we wield a lot Going right along with being flexible, we should undoubtedly are feeling the same way. Because
of power, sonically-speaking. As a result of that try to adopt a “Can-Do” attitude. When a new of tradition in band environments, drummers
sonic power, we also carry a responsibility to idea is presented, it’s important to always try to are still looked upon as leaders in the band.
our congregation to respect and nurture the approach those as opportunities to build-up our Keep that in mind. You are a leader!
worship environment. So, how can we carry leaders, not tear them down. Even if we think out that responsibility when someone new a certain idea won’t work, at worst we should Being a leader means choosing to build other
enters the equation? Here are a few ideas: say something like, “That’s a new idea for me. band members up by encouraging them when
Please be patient with me. It might take me a they may be unsure of themselves. If a guitar
BE FLEXIBLE couple of tries to get it right.” Saying something player seems unsure of a new lead line that the
Without question, a new worship leader is like that effectively communicates that the idea worship leader suggested, a simple head-bob
going to have new ideas. These new ideas is new to you (and probably the other team and smile might be all he or she needs to realize
might include different arrangements for familiar members) but also shows that you’re willing to that even though this situation is new, it still can
songs, alternative dynamics for songs, and try a new idea. be good.
Also, keep in mind that many ideas in a musical Every new situation is an opportunity to
I know that for me it’s easy to feel defensive context don’t reveal themselves as ideas that worship our Creator. Remember that worship
about “my” parts. I sometimes feel tempted to won’t work until we actually try them out. Most doesn’t begin and end with the music at 10am
say something like “Well, that’s not how WE do of the time, if I can enthusiastically try out that on Sunday. Worship is always authentic, and it
it…” But I have to resist that urge. Instead, we new idea (even ones that I don’t think will work), is always a choice.
need to be flexible, especially with new faces on it will become obvious to the worship leader the worship team. Remember that the new or that it isn’t working and we’ll move on to the Let’s choose worship, not only as drummers,
guest worship leader has been placed in their next idea. but also as friends and leaders in the
even (gasp) new ideas for drum patterns.
position in order for them to lead. We should do
52
relationships with which God has entrusted us.
August 2017
WorshipMusician.com