Monday. The day where all that went right and all that went wrong yesterday come crashing together and I try and dissect the debris like David Caruso. Day after flashbacks are coming fast and furious, some good, some painful. The encouraging words you received from those in the congregation mix with the complaints they lob about it being too loud, or too quiet, they like this song or don’t like that one, why can’t they be in the band, yada yada yada. Yes I just yada yada’d you complainers.
Through all that junk my mind keeps returning to the more important questions, “Did God accomplish what he wanted to accomplish? Was He glorified today through it all?” I dance around those questions with all the other peripheral things that bugged me like the mix, the lighting, the missed notes, the fact that I can’t drink water fast enough between songs without creating awkward transitions etc… There is great value to organizing those thoughts and making sure we improve in those areas, but I keep returning to the most important questions today. The answer, God moved powerfully and I believe accomplished what He set out to do and God was glorified.
So for today I’m going to let that answer stand alone, I want to thank God for His faithfulness and just praise Him for it. Maybe tomorrow I’ll start organizing what all sucked and how much of a hindrance the band was. But for today, God is good and that’s all I’m focusing on.
I’m curious what the mind is going through in other worship leaders and pastors the day after. Do share.
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Thanks for your honest and raw thoughts!
I tend to replay the bad things as well – that is, until I started to gently talk to the people involved and suggest what could go better next time. Usually – the next time works without a hitch.
It helps me to deal gently with the issue right away – then let it go.
Mostly, though, I try and focus on the positive – like you mentioned. God’s Word went forth and He was glorified. We really should rest in that every Monday – no matter what went wrong and/or right.
I love the thought about not being able to drink water fast enough during transitions. I gave up on that long ago. My first critique every week is, did we connect with the congregation? If not, why not. If we did, how and in what ways? We can connect with God all day, but if we are not bringing the church with us then we are not doing our jobs.
Ryan I think you’re right on, “rest” I think is an appropriate word.
Why wait till Monday? I’m a wreck right after I say “Amen” at the end of the service!
Chad: I wish I could give it up but man my throat dries up fast. Maybe it has to do with living in the desert.
Corby: I’m with you on that.
I debrief on Monday via email with my team.
The most important ? to answer: Did I offer people a chance to encounter God. (Whether they took it was up to them).
Was the worship set a home run? The last time that happened I was interrupted by the alarm clock.
Here is the good news: No matter how bad Sunday was, I have another 50 chances per year to make up for it.
Usually our team has a sort of impromptu meeting in the foyer after worship in the 2nd service. Mostly we laugh about what went wrong. When I’m alone, mostly I end up thinking about what songs really connected with the congregation and which didn’t. We’ve had some songs that have really touched me that don’t do much for my congregation. It’s tough saying goodbye to those songs.
Scot(one t): Sometimes I tell God I think I really grasp humility now so I don’t need Him to hold me in my weakness another week on Sunday to prove it. Then God reminds me the fact that I think that shows I don’t grasp humility and I’m held to the fire another Sunday. I’d love a homerun soon.
Scott(two t’s): Those are the toughest to swallow right there. Really feel like God is hammering you on some song, play it and….nuthin. But what’s worse is when the pastor asks you to play a song you really don’t like and God uses it powerfully. That’s a double wammy that makes you sit and remember who’s the chief worship leader.
The day after leading I first thank God for his goodness and grace in meeting with us. Then I just say “Let it lie, Shanna, let it lie”. It is too easy to nit-pick about every little thing that wasn’t perfect. In our striving to bring excellence to our worship we sometimes smother the awesomeness of what God has done. Our “awe” of Him gets diminished by our flesh. The other thought I presently have after leading is, “Was I striving to be or do something that I’m not? Did I rest my weaknesses and inadequacies in His strength and capabilities?” When I do, I find I can truly worship and lead others to that place without any distractions.
This is directed at the “complainers” mentioned in your post:
If we are worshiping God and not the band we should, for the most part, never even notice the little things they think they screwed up on. Our focus should be on worshiping and not on critiquing every little note that was missed. We are there to worship. We are not there to analyze if the music is too loud, the lighting is to light or dark, the mix isn’t quite right, didn’t like that song, they don’t play the song we like enough…. if we are focusing on all that we are missing the mark. So stop complaining and start worshiping!
It’s all for the glory of God….
We were brought by Him to bring others into His marvelous presence…. But in the end, it’s always about him. I love your opinion =]