Need Help with Band Recruitment Wording

[goldtopper]

I have been asked to put together another P&W band at church. Our other band, all over 60, have played together for 20 years, have severely declining skills and the bad habit of bullying anyone new out of the picture- including me and 4 people who have left our church.
Rather than doing something rash like confronting them, which would really accomplish nothing other than taking away something they love, our Pastor wants another band to do the alternate Sundays.
Sooo-
We need another guitarist/bass player. I need to come up with a way to encourage someone to come forward and join us. I am afraid any congregation members with skills may have been put off by the other band's behavior and have fear of speaking up.
I don't want to be exclusionary, but we also don't want to bring in a total newbie and have to teach them guitar 101.
Tall order, I know, but how can I word a brief blurb expressing these needs?
We want someone who knows their way around the neck, has electric and acoustic abilities and isn't closed-mined. Sort of the antithesis of the other band. It's also important not to offend them, as the other band no doubt will hear or read our request.

Any help is appreciated and thank you!

[StootMonster]

I think there is no clever wording that's going to help you. You need to confront your Pastor and counsel him on doing what's right for the congregations needs and also for doing what he's supposed to do as a pastor, which is guide people... namely the older musicians who obviously need guidance. If they are turning people away, intimidating congregation members into not wanting to use their God-Given gifts, and also swaying the better judgement of the pastor... something needs to be done. An alternate worship team isn't the solution, man.

Good luck, I'll remember this one in my prayers for sure.

[TelecasterSam]

How about Experienced Telecaster player needed, name the styles or artists he or she will need to know. Then the same with Electric Bass. If they don't know those styles, they probably won't apply. Worth a try.

[Jhengsman]

If you play on a regular schedule they will notice and if you publish the music ministry needs help having noticed the need those with the heart to do it will step forward.

If you are a big enough church to have alternating bands then you probably have teens with the skills looking for an outlet beyond their school band.

[goldtopper]

Originally Posted by StootMonster

I think there is no clever wording that's going to help you. You need to confront your Pastor and counsel him on doing what's right for the congregations needs and also for doing what he's supposed to do as a pastor, which is guide people... namely the older musicians who obviously need guidance. If they are turning people away, intimidating congregation members into not wanting to use their God-Given gifts, and also swaying the better judgement of the pastor... something needs to be done. An alternate worship team isn't the solution, man.

Good luck, I'll remember this one in my prayers for sure.

I'm with you, but as I said- they are older and this is their last hoorah. Nobody wants to take that away from them- they are making a joyful noise to the best of their abilities.
We just want to ease in other band without kicking them out. If they are mean to other folks, that doesn't mean that we have to be the same. I kinda figure that once a new band starts up, they get the picture and no one will be hurt.

[StootMonster]

Let's hope so. If not, you can still be real and not be mean or cruel. That's the great thing about Christ.

[refin]

Audition new players.

[Jeff_K]

Originally Posted by refin

Audition new players.

Yes! Auditions are absolutely essential. Gotta know them as people first, if their heart is in the right place--are they worship leaders or playing for themselves? Once you know the heart of the players you'll know if the experience will be meaningful for the congregation. Of course, they have to pass the audition with the appropriate skills you require. If they don't have it, they need to know what to improve and ask them to come again.

If the heart is right and the skills are there, you're in great shape to form a real "band of brothers" that can take worship to a high place. I was fortunate to be a member of a band like that and it was like playing with your best friends every week and it was really obvious to everyone that we loved each other and loved to lead worship. It was sublime.

I totally agree with StootMonster, too: your current situation needs to be dealt with by church management. That's a bad situation and obviously church is no place for that kind of behavior.

[Jester01]

Starting A new Band will probably be a good solution, as itll take the pressure off the old timers, and perhaps theyll give you the job fulltime instead.... However its hard to really get a feel for your situation without having seeing it firsthand.... IMO If these types of things are happening among your church alot.... it may be time for a new church...

Ive been to some churches that are absolutely horrible, full of judgemental people... and others that dont care at all what you look like or what you drive....

ive been thru this alot as a christian that has tattoos and wears pierceings... hard to find a church where thats accepted.... my current pastor is a great guy.... very non judgemental... he himself has long hair.... well more of a mullet, but none the less a very cool guy, that isnt your typical pastor... he walked the dark side of life and had been saved... and now chooses to serve the lord...

Anyway... im rambling... I think starting the new band is a good idea, as to how to word the ad, dont worry about offending the others, word it for what you need in the band...

as old timers, theyll understand the need for a second band and such... and like I mentioned, theyll probably like the idea more than dislike it.... however if after you get it going, and they are negative or make rude remarks... id talk to the pastor, and probably then find a new church....

"The only being to ever walk this earth fit to judge, still didnt judge.... and hes been gone for about 2,000 years now"

One of my fav sayings ^^

[scooteraz]

If you figure this out, let me know. We would LOVE to be able to bring up another band at our church. But, getting folks to step up is the issue....

[Airguitar]

Get your existing old timer band to audition the new guys.. it'll make them think..

[Controller]

We played with two or three teams of musicians for years and it worked great. Fortunately we had a non-toxic atmosphere to do it in. The pastor was constantly encouraging musicians of all levels of skill to join. It wasn't always perfect, but it was joyful!

I led a team and then would fill-in on other teams when they had a need.

With a little encouragement you will be amazed who steps up. Get your pastor to be one of the encouragers.

[livinblood]

Originally Posted by goldtopper

I'm with you, but as I said- they are older and this is their last hoorah. Nobody wants to take that away from them- they are making a joyful noise to the best of their abilities.
We just want to ease in other band without kicking them out. If they are mean to other folks, that doesn't mean that we have to be the same. I kinda figure that once a new band starts up, they get the picture and no one will be hurt.

They are also out of line and causing people to leave the church and probably not want to be on the team. Last hoorah or not, out of order is out of order. Being older they should know better. They should also feel privileged they were able to play past 40, being that was when the musicians of the Old Testament had to hang it up. Sorry for sounding harsh, that kind of attitude needs to be dealt with and not ignored.

[Ronsonic]

Why not just a blurb in the church bulletin, that lays it out the way you did here, "Forming a new worship band to play alternate Sundays, need bass and guitar must have .... able to .... available for .... "

The old timers have no objections to that. Or shouldn't and they will realize it the moment they go to voice them.

It'll keep the two bands apart enough.

[StootMonster]

Originally Posted by Ronsonic

Why not just a blurb in the church bulletin, that lays it out the way you did here, "Forming a new worship band to play alternate Sundays, need bass and guitar must have .... able to .... available for .... "

That WOULD be the thing to do, but it doesn't solve the issue with the current players. I really think that needs to be resolved before they can really move on.

[Ronsonic]

I guess I'm missing it. What is the issue with the current players that a new and separate band doesn't fix? You form the new group and the pastor tells the other guys that they're on every other week.

[goldtopper]

Originally Posted by Ronsonic

I guess I'm missing it. What is the issue with the current players that a new and separate band doesn't fix? You form the new group and the pastor tells the other guys that they're on every other week.

You're not missing it at all.
To me, the Christian thing to do is let them be. I can't change them, therefore, why waste time trying to do so?
I did exactly what you suggested- "forming a new band to play alternate Sundays, elec/acoustic guitar and bass needed."
As I said earlier, they are now dwindling in many ways and laying in the bed they've made.
Thank you all for your help with this somewhat sensitive issue.

[asatattack]

Originally Posted by StootMonster

That WOULD be the thing to do, but it doesn't solve the issue with the current players. I really think that needs to be resolved before they can really move on.

Right on the mark brother! Having an alternate band is not going to resolve the issues with the old band. The likelihood is that they will continue to be a problem and will only be a problem for the alternate band.

[SixShooter]

Originally Posted by goldtopper

I did exactly what you suggested- "forming a new band to play alternate Sundays, elec/acoustic guitar and bass needed."

I like the wording of that. You might also say that the band will be led by"goldtopper" so that folks will understand that they won't be playing with the old wise guys.

[bigbandtele]

Originally Posted by goldtopper

You're not missing it at all.
To me, the Christian thing to do is let them be. I can't change them, therefore, why waste time trying to do so?
I did exactly what you suggested- "forming a new band to play alternate Sundays, elec/acoustic guitar and bass needed."
As I said earlier, they are now dwindling in many ways and laying in the bed they've made.
Thank you all for your help with this somewhat sensitive issue.

You describe the old band as "bullying" in your OP.

Being Christian is all about change. People who exhibit the behavior you outline in a Christian church are not there for the right reasons.