Ministering to the Music Minister

October 29, 2007

THE READERS SPEAK  

Every time a fifth Monday falls in a month, that issue of MME will be devoted to reader comments from the previous quarter...as well as some helpful hints on LEADERSHIP.  It is very important to us to hear from you, the readers!  Tell us if we are doing a good job, or if we are missing something that could be of help to you.

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Here are some reader responses recently received, and some responses in October orange from our MME staff:

I recently have been looking for the “one-stop” resource to help me stay on top of what’s happening in the church music world.  I LOVE MME…though part of that love is tempered by the BIG challenges laid out in there!  I’m always looking for the “here’s what’s happening in church music technology today,” but MME is covering most everything else.  Thank you for passing it on to CREATOR. They, too, are a one stop shop.

Todd Ray
First Baptist Church
Oneonta, AL

Thanks, Todd. That is actually what we are working toward - being a "first stop everyday" website for church musicians and worship leaders.

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I just wanted to thank you for my MONDAY MORNING BLESSING--better known as MME! After 16 years of Ministry in this church, I need a spiritual lift each and everyday. Thanks for reminding me why I do this and that’s it is ALL for God!

God Bless you.

Suzanne Ringer, Director of Music
Union UMC
Irmo, SC

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Thanks so much for the Monday Morning Email. Every issue, I find to be encouraging and extremely helpful.

Danny Von Kanel
Memorial Baptist Church
Bogalusa, Louisiana

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I like MME because it helps me keep up!

Anna Laura Page
Composer/Clinician
Sherman, TX

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The MME format is good, with lots of variety. You might want to consider something for the part-time and volunteer directors on time-management and responsibilities.

Dr. Stan Pethel
Composer/Educator
Berry College
Berry. GA

Good idea, Stan. We'll work on that.

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I continue to enjoy and appreciate the excellent work of MME. I always find encouragement, and inspiration. Amazing, isn’t it?  MME never fail to bless me! I hope you will keep it up for another 1…2 or 7 decades!

Lee Gordon
First Baptist Church
West Point, MS

That's our plan.

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Thank you for sharing your keen spiritual insight about the Church Musician's role and relationship to God, Pastor, and people. It is right on!

It takes a lot of grace and humility to work for, under, and with people in leadership--with whom we can disagree on important and fundamental issues of music and worship. I have been in full-time ministry for 20 years and have learned (the hard way) many of the things you present in your article. Thanks for putting it all in one brief synopsis.

Rick Steele
Minister of Music and Worship
South Orlando Baptist Church
Orlando, FL

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I have always liked the eclectic approach the CREATOR has taken, tackling the many-sided object that is Church Music.  Seems this is still the case, and more so with the E-version, MME. I still like the hard copy of the mag; but also like the interactive possibilities online; purchasing availability, blogs, etc.  It’s always been a great concept—it’s just better now!

The practical nature of what’s always on MME is what appeals to me…family suggestions ... marriage in general, spouses, kids…conducting thoughts…rehearsal tips…voices from respected folks in many areas.  The ‘"This Idea Will Work" ideas, from those for whom it actually worked--is good practical help!

Continued addressing—though it may be boring to some, it’s a never-ending discussion—of the conflicting ideologies of contemporary / traditional questions. I know it’s been address billions of times, but there seems to be no absolute answer, and there is no single answer that works for all.

We have the ‘blessing’ of five separate venues/styles.  Blessing?  Curse?  Yes.  But it meets the needs of this congregation; it poses very unique opportunities/questions/challenges.  It would not work everywhere.

Practical thoughts—the foundation of CREATOR/MME, as stated above—for all of us in meeting the needs/desires/wants/wishes of congregations—the single most significant ministry subject.  Just keep doing what you’re doing!

Hart Morris, Composer/Arranger
Ashbury United Methodist Church
Tulsa, OK

Thanks, Hart. Would you be interested in writing a regular practical handbell column for the magazine?

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Just finished reading the October edition of MME.  As always, it blesses, encourages, and challenges me. Blessings to you.

Tom Albright
Coral Baptist Church
Coral Springs,FL

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I like the idea of the Worship Institute Online. But I am not really thrilled about the evangelical bias I see in many of the faculty members. And I also have difficulty with the statement of faith. I am not a Bible “literalist” but am very Wesleyan in believing that it is the inspired word of God. And I believe we interpret the Bible based upon our personal experience, tradition and reason.  After several years of working under the leadership of someone who was very “fundamentally evangelical” in his theology, I take theological perspective very seriously. I also have received my license to become a Licensed Local Pastor in the WNC Conference of the UMC. Otherwise, keep it up! MME is good.

Ron Sinclair
St. Luke’s united Methodist Church
Hickory, NC

Actually, Ron, that's why Creator is involved in the project. The Worship Ministry University folks came to us to provide some of the "balanced" content for which Creator is known. You'll see classes from Creator faculty begin to appear quite soon - in fact, you can check out Doug Lawrence's class on "How to lead worship more effectively using your non-verbal communication" right now by clicking here. And speaking of Worship Ministry U, they've planned to institute a "free seven day trial" subscription. Now you can check them out before you decide.

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I like the concept of a Monday Morning re-focus on the music ministry I have. Sunday's  service was hopefully a blessing to the congregation and an acceptable praise offering to God, but now I need a fresh start for the week(s) ahead. Thanks for making MME available!   Blessings on your effort.
  
Lynn Webster
Worship Arts Leader
First Church of God (Anderson)
Owosso, MI 48867

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Glad to see the article on project management in MME.  I just got my PMP (Project Management Professional certification) from the Project Management Institute, and I applaud your emphasis on this area in music ministry. Wish I had known some of this when I was just starting out in ministry. I thought all I needed was to be a good musician, but talent can take you only so far. 

It's important for MoMs to realize that many of our volunteers live and breath project management, and can get frustrated with us when we fly by the seat of our pants. I have been a much better Minister of Music bi-vocationally than when I was full-time due to my day-to-day life in the secular world.

I'm glad to be a part of the MME team again!   Take care.

Joe Glass, PMP
EDS Transportation
Continental Airlines Account
Houston, TX  77002

Thanks to you as well, Joe, for providing content for MME.

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 Articulate Executive, ED, Fernando Bartolome, Harvard Business Review.

Leaders need to be able to recognize signs of trouble in an organization. Fernando Bartolome, who lectures widely in the US, Europe, and Latin America on the subject of leadership, shares that there are several important warning signs for which to look.
 
1. Decline in information flow. This is usually the first sign of trouble. Streams of information normally coming your way suddenly go dry. Subordinates communicate less, express opinions reluctantly, avoid discussions and miss meetings. Reports are late and subordinates are more difficult to reach.
 
2. Deterioration of morale. This will reveal itself in the staff by
1. a lack of enthusiasm for the job or position
2. reduced cooperation—edgy responses
3. increased complaints—bickering
4. tendency to dump more minor problems on the boss's desk
5. a rise in absenteeism
6. and finally, finger-pointing ensues
 
 3. Ambiguous verbal messages. These come from subordinates who aren't quite comfortable with the information they are passing on. They may be testing to see if the door is open for more serious discussion…or if the discussion door is closed.

4. Nonverbal signals. This can take a wide variety of forms, from body language--to social behavior--to changes in habits.
 
 5. Outside signals. This refers to things such as complaints funneled to you from the congregation through staff. Often, these complaints come too late.
 

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1.   Leaders trust other people. Micromanagers waste most of their time making lists of what everyone should be doing--rather than thinking of a better way to make a project run. Leaders routinely assess a situation and figure out what they can add to the effort, rather than worry about who gets credit for it.

2.  Leaders know their stuff. Leaders in our fields should know what the competition is up to and is aware of the latest technology. Leaders should spend some time every day online or with appropriate magazines finding out who is doing what and why. Ministry changes so fast that those who keep up--will succeed.

3.  Leaders have a sense of humor. Many leaders are the  stick-in-the-mud kind of people. Everyone has stuff to deal with at home (financial troubles, relationship problems, etc.), but when leaders get to work, they leave their personal stuff at the door. Think of the people you work with that you really enjoy. Chances are they're the ones that keep you laughing. It's a rare gift.

4.  Leaders have a life. Rarely do leaders work 20 hours per day. People who work those hours are usually martyrs or very poor time managers. If you keep your bedroom slippers in the office, chances are you're not a leader. Obviously, we all have periods of work where we're cranking it out around the clock, that adrenaline rush is fun, but not every day. Leaders serve on local school boards and charity boards; they umpire Little League games and teach adults to read.

5. Leaders motivate others. The Black Cloud of Doom can usually be found around an office area! He's also a personality type. Most offices have at least one Bleck Cloud of Doom. These misery magnets attract bad news and bad vibes. Leaderes spot these people and steer clear. Especially in tough and busy times, keeping The Black Cloud of Doom away is even more important.

6. Leaders are dreamers. The best part of life is asking, "What if?" Leaders are constantly doodling new ideas on paper, asking a lot of questions, and trying to figure out a better way of doing things. Leaders recognize that the way we do our jobs is changing rapidly, and they are always on the lookout for great new stuff.

7.  Leaders are connectors. Leaders like to introduce people to one another. They don't jealously guard good people from others to try and keep them from leaving. They take pleasure in helping people get new jobs, find freelance projects, or just make new friends.

8.  Leaders like fast failures. Risk takers understand that we'll all be dead someday, and they don't want to be sitting in a rocking chair at the age of 80 saying, "I really should have tried that great idea 50 years ago." Leaders try it now. It might work, it might not, but at least they give it a shot.

9.  Leaders are ethical. A person's word is his bond. How many people can you trust without having to have your agreement signed, notarized, and lawyered to death? Probably not many. We all spend so much time protecting our ideas because there are people who are so unethical, they will steal your ideas without a second thought. Not one of these people is a real leader.

10.  Leaders are helpful.  Leaders in church ministry are looked up as helpful, generous, giving, going the second mile…and church leaders have a very difficult time saying the “N” word: NO!

If you've been fortunate enough to work with some good leaders, take a few minutes to thank them.

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1. The more you try to control things, the less control you have. Some believe that to be an effective leader, you must micromanage and control every step of a process. That just doesn't work, especially today. Ministry leadership is not about dominating people but developing them-and that takes a servant model.
 
2. The agenda you want to push cannot be pushed.  We cannot force people to adopt our plans and goals, no matter how well-intentioned they are. People can only be nurtured in a process that carries with it the possibility they will come to personally embrace something.  People do things for their reasons—not yours!
 
3. Sometimes, the serious stuff cannot be handled seriously. It's easy for the ministry leader to take oneself too seriously and to treat everything as having earth-shaking importance. To be sure, Kingdom issues are profoundly important, but it's equally important to be able to laugh and lighten up. When we are genuinely real, the serious stuff usually takes care of itself.
 
4. When we think we're learning, we're probably only relearning what we already know.  It's our nature to read and study in areas of our own interest. But when we go outside that preference, we'll reap profound benefits as we add to our awareness and knowledge of God and the world. As a leader, how much are you learning outside that comfort zone?
 

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