A Wrench a Banjo and an Anvil




I was blown away when I came across this video (below) on Facebook the other day, and have watched it several times since. Apart from being absolutely mind-blowingly brilliant - it also got me thinking about worship music in local churches (again).



It brought to mind an earlier blog I wrote 'Clone Wars: The Courage To Sound Different' that explores thoughts about whether we should all strive to make our church music sound just like the latest worship CD or whether we should be brave enough to create our own version of a song, or indeed our own 'sound'.

This video gives an excellent example how 'different' does not have to mean a compromise in quality. Indeed, your version may even be better than the original. It will also reflect more accurately your unique church congregation's journey of faith.

More importantly I guess, as a worship leader you should be looking to 'use what is in your hand' as well as seeing how you can develop and take things further.

In a local church setting, I believe a worship leader's role is to co-ordinate the musical elements of a service and help to point everyone present in the meeting towards God. This means using the skills, instruments, technical equipment and people you already have! And believe me - this can be extremely challenging! One of the biggest challenges you will face as a worship leader is not learning a difficult song, or even a new instrument - it is learning how to deal with each and every person on your team. People are the biggest part of worship leading.

You may not be in the position to afford the latest top-of-the-range equipment. Personally I would love my church to get a Nord keyboard, but with the size and budget of my church, this is unrealistic.

It goes without saying that if all you've got to work with is an acoustic guitar and a bongo drum, the sound you will create will be nowhere near the latest live album from Passion or Bethel Music. So use what is in your hand. Just as Steve'n'Seagulls have done in the video above - let your creativity loose; re-imagine the song with the instruments, people and equipment you actually have - even if it happens to be a wrench, a banjo and an anvil!

What I am saying is -  be excellent. A good definition of excellence is: 'using what you have to the best of your ability to bring glory and praise to God'. I am not saying you need to settle for second best. Continue to learn, to develop, to get better - yes! But don't try to live up to unrealistic expectations - use what is in your hand.

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