Dangerously Competent

In my early ministry years (20s) I used to hear these 'old' worship leaders (probably mid 30s, 40 tops) that would talk about how they'd take people with great attitudes over talent. I would think, 'Whatever. Great attitudes don't build a smokin' band.'

I think I got old.

One of the players on my team has just picked up her instrument after 10 years. She can't drive the song, let alone carry the band. She gets off beat at times. I don't know if I could yet call her competent. But she practices. She downloads the tunes each week and listens to them. She bought an mp3 player, in fact. She comes to rehearsals prepared. She calls when she has questions. And she's getting better, little by little.

I've encountered in my ministry another player who could show up, grab the music, and play it. Pretty well, in fact. At one rehearsal, this player arrived 15 minutes late and left 20 minutes later. At the time, this player was needed. This player knew she was needed.

This player was dangerously competent.

The dangerously competent can get the job done, often quite well. The dangerously competent send subtle messages that they are doing the worship ministry a favor by showing up. But it's easy to ignore these subtle messages when we believe this player really is needed.

I'll take the less competent player. Someday soon, she'll be more than competent. And along with her competence will be that same person who listens and practices the songs; that person who comes to rehearsals prepared, not just for her sake, but the sake of the team.

Complacent competency is dangerous. Heart trumps talent.