9 Things Music Ministers/Worship Leaders Wish their Pastors Knew

 I am very fortunate to have a wonderful and talented friend who leads worship at the church I serve and I look forward to having that relationship strengthened over the years.  I was at an area wide pastors lunch the other day because I thought the topic being discussed was very interesting.  A Music Minister was speaking about what those who lead worship wished pastors knew.  Realize that attendance at this pastors lunch was much lower than it had been the previous four times I attended (in fact about 1/4 the amount as the week before).  The music minister's current pastor was there and I know them both and they have a great relationship.  Below are the points I took away from his talk.

1. Get the right fit - find the right person for music ministry - even if it takes a long time


2. Grow together - pastor and music minister encourage and challenge each other


3. Understand differences in nature of jobs - Pastoral task the lone ranger, a lot of individual work.  Music ministry is done in posse's using accompanists, rehearing together, gathering ensembles and musicians (all of which takes time).


4. Pastor needs to give time for possee to prep...no last minute requests...music needs time prep/thought...and it takes weeks and months for quality.


5. A Gift for a Music Minister - a preaching plan with several weeks/months laid out with Scripture passage and topic. As much info as can give.


6. Be aware of crisis moments and take advantage of them....there will be problems/mis-communications use these to build relationship not tear it down.


7. Allow the  Music Minister to be expert in that area - they were called to serve, let them use their talents.


8. Always be cheerleader and supportive of Music Minister/a defender of mm...Worship in the church is both powerful and volatile.  At times the Pastor needs to say to members who might have a criticism about the music, '...thats what I would have done...'


9. Be relational, both Pastor and Music Minister desire the same thing and if working together and communicating this can be a powerful combination in any church.