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eedwards · July 5th, 2009, 01:27 AM

Please take no offence, but here is what I have learned:

I have been playing at my church for a little over 4 years now and our current music director joined us 3 years ago. When he came in, he had us play for a few weeks, then started changing things. After a few months, he had us write applications to play and had auditions for everyone. My assumption was that my simple playing (mostly chords; no lead) was not up to scratch and therefore I was one of the people he was weeding out. I enjoy playing and appreciate the opportunity to do so, but I completely understand that I am at a far lower skill level than almost every other musician I know. That isn't false modesty - that is an objective analysis. At least I enjoy playing.

A applied like everyone else and then I talked to the director and made it clear that if I was not needed or even wanted, I was perfectly willing to step aside. I was absolutely shocked when he bent over backwards to tell me that I was in no way being pushed out. In fact, he has encouraged me to stretch as a player more and I now play electric all the time. There were other musicians that were being weeded out, but it was done in a way that let them decide to not jump through the hoops. We now have several strong bands that rotate playing time. In a church of our size, there are more than 5 people who would like to be in a Praise band, so we all get to.

The point of this is to say a couple of things to you:

1. It isn't about you.
2. Even when it is about you, it isn't about you.

You don't own your slot on the team. You are privileged to play and the reasons you do play or you don't may have nothing whatsoever to do with your talent, willingness to serve or your desire to serve. Even if the band director is trying to boot you out because he is crazy, doesn't mean it isn't the right thing. You may be NEEDED somewhere else on those Sundays, hence, you really do not NEED to play. God works in wierd ways.

I am not noble and it hurts my ego when things don't go my way. I understand wanting to get playing time in. But I hope you are considering this as more than a personal affront to you. There may be other people who have not been allowed to play and they are getting their chance. Or you may be getting a chance to serve in some other way. Seek and you will find.

July 5th, 2009, 01:27 AM	#47 (permalink)
eedwards Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Alabaster, AL Age: 39 Posts: 105	Please take no offence, but here is what I have learned: I have been playing at my church for a little over 4 years now and our current music director joined us 3 years ago. When he came in, he had us play for a few weeks, then started changing things. After a few months, he had us write applications to play and had auditions for everyone. My assumption was that my simple playing (mostly chords; no lead) was not up to scratch and therefore I was one of the people he was weeding out. I enjoy playing and appreciate the opportunity to do so, but I completely understand that I am at a far lower skill level than almost every other musician I know. That isn't false modesty - that is an objective analysis. At least I enjoy playing. A applied like everyone else and then I talked to the director and made it clear that if I was not needed or even wanted, I was perfectly willing to step aside. I was absolutely shocked when he bent over backwards to tell me that I was in no way being pushed out. In fact, he has encouraged me to stretch as a player more and I now play electric all the time. There were other musicians that were being weeded out, but it was done in a way that let them decide to not jump through the hoops. We now have several strong bands that rotate playing time. In a church of our size, there are more than 5 people who would like to be in a Praise band, so we all get to. The point of this is to say a couple of things to you: 1. It isn't about you. 2. Even when it is about you, it isn't about you. You don't own your slot on the team. You are privileged to play and the reasons you do play or you don't may have nothing whatsoever to do with your talent, willingness to serve or your desire to serve. Even if the band director is trying to boot you out because he is crazy, doesn't mean it isn't the right thing. You may be NEEDED somewhere else on those Sundays, hence, you really do not NEED to play. God works in wierd ways. I am not noble and it hurts my ego when things don't go my way. I understand wanting to get playing time in. But I hope you are considering this as more than a personal affront to you. There may be other people who have not been allowed to play and they are getting their chance. Or you may be getting a chance to serve in some other way. Seek and you will find.