Last week I was asked if our church was "Traditional, contemporary, or blended" (meaning our style of worship). I didn't honestly know how to answer them... because I don't think we're any; or maybe we're all of the above.
I assume "traditional" means singing hymns. Well, there are old hymns and new hymns; you can sing hymns slow or how they're supposed to be played (which is sometimes slow); there are a variety of different kinds of hymns; you can play hymns with just an organ, a piano, a guitar, or a full band. So... I don't know what "traditional" means.
As for "contemporary"... that's even worse. Does contemporary mean you sing praise choruses from Bill Gaither? From the seventies? Does it mean you have a band? Does it mean you sing Hillsong, Maranatha, or whatever other names their are? Ultimately, is it THE lastest, or does it just mean 'later than the old hymnal we used to have'?
And if the first two weren't confusing enough, try blending them. What in the heck does this mean anyway? I knew what it used to mean, but the worship wars seem so far removed.
When I came to the little country church I am presently at, it had an organ and a piano. They used a hymnal and a chorus book. I planned to eventually have a band - maybe in like 3 years. But within a year we had drums, guitars, and a keyboard... and the organ was shipped out. I didn't intend for that to happen, it just sorta did. Now we're probably heavy on the Chris Tomlin stuff, with a Rich Mullins feel. But we do lots of hymns and stuff from worshipleader/songdiscovery too.
This fall we will most likely lose our drummer, bass player, and electric guitarist. While I am sad (mostly because these guys are incredible musicians, and one is my son), it will also be an opportunity for us to maybe change directions.
Some people think I need to go out and find "replacements" for them. Just plug new people into the band. In most churches, this is probably what would happen. In fact, many already have more than one band just for this reason. But our church isn't really about that. We have become "a group." Shoot, we don't even practice anymore. And there is no way I am going to replace these three guys. I don't WANT to replace them. They are special.
I can still play guitar; my wife plays the keyboard very well; we do have another guy that can play the drums. But what I would like to do is find someone else to lead worship - someone who plays the guitar or piano, or both - and who would just lead us himself. Sure, we could have another singer; maybe some hand drums; even the kit, and bass, and other stuff. But I would like to kind of scale back. I think we need to. People get so uptight when we don't have the full band, and that's not good.
My question is... how do I advertise for a worship leader like this? How do I classify our worship style? I can't say, traditional, contemporary or blended... right? So what do I say? I was thinking I could maybe find someone at Taylor-Ft. Wayne U. or Huntington U., or maybe one of the bigger churches around. But I don't want just anybody, you know what I mean?
I would seriously appreciate any input anyone can offer. Sure, my wife or I could handle it, and we have singers... but I'm thinking it would be better for the church for Jane and I to step out of this area. So... I'M LOOKIN' FOR A WORSHIP LEADER WILLING TO WORK FOR LITTLE OR NO PAY, BUT WITH GREAT BENEFITS! :)
Peace. Revolution(ate).
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