Q. How do we address a congregation which just want hymns?A. For the hymns to last through the ages, there is power in them. There are many beautiful hymns. We need to strike a balance. Our God is bigger than any genres, styles, etc. If we just listen to Hillsongs United and Planetshakers, we are missing something!
To quote Bull Cosby, “I don’t know the key to success, but I know one of the key to failure is to try to please everybody.”
Q. What is appropriate on stage?
A. This is a grey area. King David danced in his undergarment. A possible rule of thumb is if makes you cringe it is inappropriate, e.g. kicking legs in short skirts.
We can spot a fake just like we can spot genuine worship.
In his church, Sidney led worship / preach in t-shirt. But that may not be inappropriate in another church. It depends on the culture of the church.
Q. How do we manage expectations in a band with a diverse expertise?
A. There is a team of 95 in the JPCC (Jakarta Praise Community Church) worship excluding 40 to 50 choir members. There are 5 services per week and as many as 3 different teams leading worship in a week.
Try to allow the new members work together with the seasoned ones. Dual-leadership gives room for mentoring. The seasoned ones can give guidance. The younger ones may bring in new ideas.
What works in a church may not work in another church. We don’t copy the method but follow the principles.
What we do on stage we cannot teach. It has to be experienced.
Worship is 90% chemistry and 10% skills.
In JPCC, they rehearse once every 2 months. they just practice new songs. Sidney urged us not to keep practicing old songs. If we’ve got it, we have got it. They do make a point to meet once a month for fellowship.
Another advise from Sidney: Don’t be too serious lah. We don’t have to be perfect! He gave a good good illustration of children drawing stick figures of their parents. We as parents appreciate them and don’t criticize their drawings.
Don’t be too judgemental. Exercise grace. Let others grow to their capacity. Have fun and enjoy. Smile when someone makes a mistake.
Q. What happens if the worship team members don’t practice?
A. To motivate the people we want to lead, it always starts with us. Don’t expect people to change until we become an agent of change. As leaders, we set the bar / standard of our team. We have to be 2 or 3 steps ahead of the instead of just being beside them.
Q. What if you are the only one who is passionate?
A. We don’t need a title to lead. If we recognize a problem, then we try to solve it instead of expecting a solution from others.
Q. What if we are not allowed to make the change?
A. There is a hierarchy in the church. Don’t rebel or start a revolution. Influence. John Maxwell says leadership is influence. (cf 360° Leadership by John Maxwell.) If we are influencing our teammates, we are leading, Passion is contagious.
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