Article by: Tom Lane

Proverbs 18:19
A Brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle.

I was having a conversation last night (solved most of the world's problems in one sitting) and the ? was asked why some worship bands and ministries have an air of arrogance surrounding them? An attitude of this is our gig! Or of ownership and dominion. On the other side there are many who want to be on teams or play more regularly and get their feelings hurt often because they're not being asked.

Part of the problem to me is that we are too focused on the main worship event and preoccupied with being involved with it. It's almost like there's an unspoken rule that you're only effective and being used if you're on the stage during the key meetings. There's a bottleneck of creative talent and desire all wanting to get out of the same chute. In truth the heart that's pure should always trust and wait for God to bring the opportunities. In the meantime we should be busy with the needs and opportunities already staring us in the face. Even if our hearts are perfectly right and humble we may be overlooked and yet we're still responsible personally to not be easily offended and to steward what we're given!

To be clear, I don't think many of us at all set out to control or abuse the worship but it happens in and through us all. Any offense can turn into a breach or bad attitude. Any familiar comfort zone can and will be challenged at some point, the gig will always expire and all are replaceable! There's some way that we can all participate and be used but it may not be the way you're set on or aiming for. It may never be on a stage and it may take time to get there, are you OK with that? Do you trust God to promote and make a way for you?

In the music world it's normal to see players vai for position and protect their gig, it happens in all walks of life as it's the way we humans are. Christians who are imitators of Jesus should strive to be different than that. We should be happy when another gets the opportunity or praise, we should be looking for others to champion and encourage. If we step on stage having stepped over others to get there what does that say about the quality and integrity of worship we're bringing when at the very heart of worship is humility and purity? Even if we're not vying for a place it is true that we all avoid and neglect things closest to God's heart along the way to worship. The one thing each of us does have the opportunity to control is our attitude.

How practical is this for the band? The hardest things you will likely do as a player are learn to be selfless, serving, humble, grateful, encouraging, helpful, faithful, preferring, etc. In every situation I've seen, the good attitude wins and is most often asked back. It's a small thing but carry's the most powerful witness. It always pleases God when his people choose the high road, to be overlooked or offended without taking recourse. Watch VH1's where are they now and you can trace most breakups (and most do) to selfishness, pride, and seriously offended people. Talent alone is not the key!

Are you aiming to worship with all your might, play skillfully, please God, and serve? Then choose now not to take offense! Try it the next time a leader or player suggests what they think you should be playing or doing! In the ultimate scheme it has little to do with the music and all to do with the character of Jesus in us. Even the creative genius needs to see with new eyes and hear with new ears the heart of God and from His vantage point create!

Article Reprinted with Permission From: Worship Musician Magazine, Nov/Dec '04