Philosophy of Leading the Church's Song

It has been over a year since I have made a post. I have been using my writing time for school, rather than keeping up on my posts. However, for some of you, I thought you might be interested in my academic writings. So I am going to post them here. Some are "philosophy" of music papers; some are writings from my recent Introduction to New Testament class. I hope you fine some of my thoughts interesting and of value. Thank you for reading!

Philosophy of of Leading the Church's Song.

"A servant-leader is one who chooses to serve, and serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first..." – Robert Greenleaf

Robert Greenleaf was an AT&T executive who wrote his first essay entitled, “The Servant As Leader”. In another publication, Servant Leadership Primer, Greenleaf lists the skills and capacities of a servant- leader:

• Listens
• Uses power ethically, with persuasion as the preferred mode
• Seeks consensus in group decisions
• Practices foresight
• Uses language in a way that avoids "closed verbal worlds"
• Practices the art of withdrawal
• Practices acceptance and empathy
• Is a conceptualizer
• Nurtures community
• Chooses to lead

I believe in my role as a music director I need to have these same skills and capacities:

• I need to listen not only to the congregation and pastor of the church I serve, but most importantly to God. I can only serve Him if I seek His guidance by actively listening to His words as He responds to my prayers and mediations.
• I recognize that as a church leader I do have power. However, I need to use this power with divine guidance. And there are times when I need to “sell” (what a nasty word relating to church endeavors!) my goals, ideas, and plans to the church in such a way that they understand that they are spirit-led and that they need the support of the church.
• Collaboration is key to success in a church. I cannot successfully function in my position without the consensus of the pastor, musicians, and music/program committees – from the function of planning programs to selecting music.
• God has blessed me the ability to “see” many things in the future. I continually pray that I may be able to see His ongoing vision for this church that I serve.
• I need to be open to differing points of view. There are times we need to agree to disagree.
• I am learning that there are times I need to put my personal feelings and beliefs aside and accept that there are times when other ideas and beliefs have priority over my own.
• I need to develop an atmosphere of acceptance and empathy within the groups that I lead. Not all voices are created equal but I need to respect the spirit that may be greater than the voice. I need to understand those things that are important to the church – the things that give it its voice.
• I need to conceptualize how new music and genres will challenge the congregation to broaden and deepen their worship experience.
• I need to nurture the congregation by serving as a mentor to /encourager of others who serve in the church music program.
• I conscientiously choose to lead, in its joy and in its pain. I can only do this by the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.