200 Words [or Less] About Being a Worship Musician: Key Elements >> Teachable, Part 1

(Read the other Six Key Elements articles:
Intro; Talent; Surrendered Part 1; Surrendered Part 2; Passionate)

200 Words [or Less] About Being a Worship Musician:

Key Elements >> Teachable, Part 1

A few years ago I joined a national songwriting organization and attended the local chapter. At the first meeting, I feel bad for the other writers getting picked apart during the critiques. They’ll probably feel even worse when they hear my song. My turn. The scratch demo ends. The silence is something between hushed awe and quiet reverence. Yeah…no: it was starving jackals waiting to ravage a gimp antelope. Entrails everywhere.

I was at a crossroads: chalk it up as a gaggle of bitter songwriters, or conclude that they DID know something about songwriting. I chose the latter. I “psyched up” before every meeting with: “Be humble. Learn. Be humble. Learn.” Repeat.

Direct feedback is oxygen for anyone needing to grow. Worship musicians are no exceptions. As participants in “upfront” ministry, we need to be extra open to breathing it in.

A segue: I went home from the meeting--still stinging--and told my wife about it (looking for validation). Her reply was, “You took in that song?!” Owww…. Looking back, I guess I ignored the polite applause and blank stares at every coffeehouse performance of it. We also need to be teachable students of indirect feedback. That’s part two.

[ SIDE NOTE: While there’s always an exception or two, my sense is that most of our team members are more open to feedback than we think. It’s us insecure, people-pleasing leaders who often miss the chance to breathe life via speaking truth in love. Btw, these last 42 words are for free. :) ]