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Traits
of Effective Church Musicians
C. Randall Bradley
Baylor University
| Church
musicians have nearly impossible job descriptions, for we are required
to fulfill many duties during a typical week. If you were to assemble
a focus group to compile a list of desired qualities of a church musician,
the list would doubtless be daunting. Therefore, rather than compile
an exhaustive list of skills and qualities of church musicians, I
have chosen to focus on a few traits that effective church musicians
seem to share. Wide-ranging musical skills, not necessarily a specialist in any one area. Church musicians are often frustrated because they may not be able to have superior skills in any single area; however, effective church musicians need functional skills in many areas. Effective church musicians must be able to conduct, play instruments, compose, etc. although they may not be specialists in these or other areas in which they are expected to function. Willingness to attempt tasks that are not in your best skill set. Since most musicians have many perfectionistic tendencies, we do not like to do tasks about which we have only average knowledge or skill. However, church musicians must move past the mantra, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.” A more practical statement might be, “Anything worth doing is worth doing in an average way at least for the short term.” To think that we can be experts at everything is impossible. Such impossible aspirations will only frustrate us and the people with whom we work. Ability to see music as functional instead of music for music’s sake. Church music is functional music – music with a distinct purpose and within a particular context. Its purpose is to point us toward God, to help us nurture each other, or to draw people to Christ. While the quality of the music is always important, music in the church is used as a tool for a larger purpose. Genuine love for many kinds of music. Church musicians (as with the general public) have musical preferences: often our preferences are very specific. However, because we are called to minister to people who love many different types of music, we must embrace many styles as well. Many churches are frustrated with church musicians who only tolerate diverse styles. When we truly love people, we are able to accept their music as a part of our acceptance of them. Organizational and administrative skills. Effective church musicians learn to manage their time and to manage the church's resources. More church musicians are terminated for poor administrative and ministry skills than for inferior musical skills. In order to be effective, church musicians must learn to manage budgets, facilities, and people resources. Love for people and a willingness to become involved in their lives. Church musicians are ministers first and musicians second. People always come first! When we love the people to whom we are called to minister, we desire to be a part of their lives – we are involved in the important day-to-day life events. Call to ministry. A call to ministry can take many different shapes for different church musicians; however, being a church musician is not simply a matter of having a “church gig.” Ministering to people through music requires a concern for people as complete persons. Ability to delegate and share ministry and empower others. Because church musicians are expected to accomplish many tasks and perform many skills within a typical week, we are not able to function as lone rangers. In order to be effective, we must learn to share ministry with others and allow them to use their gifts as well. People are empowered when they are allowed to be co-ministers with us. Ability to inspire others and to motivate them to do their best. Effective church musicians must be able to inspire and motivate others to offer their best. We must develop the ability to show our love for music in ways that others are inspired to join us. Our enthusiasm for music can be contagious. Ability to lead people in worship. Whether leading from the organ bench, holding a guitar, singing into a microphone or conducting behind a podium, church musicians must be able to lead people in worship through thorough preparation, an inspiring example, and a deep awareness of our role in the dialogue of worship. Authenticity is the foundation for effective worship leadership. Ability to work as a part of a team, i.e., church staff, other musicians. Church musicians are always a part of a team of other ministers and other musicians, and our ability to work effectively with others will largely determine our success. We are colleagues in the truest sense not only with other ministers and staff ministers but also with the congregation with whom we work along side. Sense of music’s role in the overall church, i.e., worship, education, fellowship, etc. Effective church musicians must understand that music is only one of the ministries in the church and that all ministries of the church are important. We need all the church’s ministries in order to do the work to which we are called. Music plays an important role in all the church’s ministries. Genuine love for God and a growing faith maturity. Church musicians need to be sincere in their faith and exhibit a sense of progression in their faith development. As we age, we should mature in faith as well. The people whom we lead are often more inspired by our life of faith than our highly refined skills. Pastoral heart. People are in need of ministry and they want church musicians to be pastoral musicians, i.e., ministers who can assist them with their faith struggles and offer pastoral care as they face struggles. A mature perspective. The ability to be trustworthy, honest, maintain confidences, exhibit self-control, and to respond to situations with a sense of mature perspective is important for church musicians. Congregations expect church musicians to be people of high integrity. Tact in dealing with people. Working with people requires high sensitivity and enormous tact. We must be kind and respectful of everyone with whom we work, particularly in church where, in one sense, everyone is our boss. People usually respond to us in the way in which we treat them; therefore, when we treat them fairly and with respect, they usually reciprocate. |