200 Words [or Less] About Being a Worship Musician: Key Elements >> Teachable, Part 2

200 Words [or Less] About Being a Worship Musician:
Key Elements >> Teachable – Part 2,
Learning to Take Indirect Feedback

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

Meltdown. You know the kind: that stops rehearsals. At a Sunday-morning-only-rehearsal, no less. Apparently, I frustrated one of the musicians. The first indication was her tears. I know…it’s a gift to be this good at reading people.

Her emotions were anything but “indirect,” but they only told me of the immediate issue. There was an underlying problem that I didn’t [want to] see. After this, I knew I had to.

Over a $5 footlong after church, I asked my trusted friend and drummer, “Am I that hard to follow?” His caps lock “YES” couldn’t have come any quicker unless he was psychic. In my rush to cover all that needs to be covered in a rehearsal that’s already too short, I tend to jump ahead. And back. And to a different song. I considered making excuses and passing blame, but what’s that determination of leadership, “Look back and see who’s following…”?

So now I’m trying to look at what people aren’t saying. Because they say a lot when they “aren’t saying.” This is huge for leadership. But also for musicians who weekly rub up against each other. Look at what your leader/teammate/pastor is NOT saying: you may just learn something.

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. :) ]