This is the third of a three-part series that will take you through all 3 phases of the audition process: The Ask, The Audition, The Acclimation. Be sure to check out the first part here and the second part here
We are now at the phase of Acclimating our new talent that we’ve gained from our Ask and Auditions.
Our new talent is slated to be on the schedule with us for their first time. This is arguably the most critical time you have to make a connection with that person; it’s the chance to create a bond and a desire within that person to serve on your team because they like you and are passionate about your mission. You are also desperately in need of their talent at the moment, but is it wise to just throw them straight into serving?
Instead of me talking through this part, I’ve asked some friends to answer a couple questions. One perspective is from Cedarcreek.tv Worship Team Leaders, Stephen Laing and Lauren Miller. The Cedarcreek.tv Music Team has 75+ musicians and vocalist that rotate through their 4 campuses.
The second perspective is from Jeff Harris, a committed volunteer to the music ministry at Cedarcreek.tv. He also has toured with Sanctus Real and UnSpoken as a fill-in guitarist.
Me: From the leadership standpoint, what are a few common mistakes ministry leaders make in getting a singer/musician acclimated to their music ministry?
Lauren: “Rushing them into serving because they are incredibly gifted and not first seeing if they want to actually serve and be part of a ministry or just in it for pride and performance”
Stephen: “One of the most common mistakes that you can make with a new musician is pushing them faster than what they can handle. We get excited easily and want to accelerate the next new musician on our team. We like to make sure they have attended numerous practices to just observe and then we try to set them up for success by scheduling them with someone who can help them on their first few weeks. Once we feel that they are up to speed, we turn them loose.”
Me: What are the top 3 things you would say keeps a volunteer actively serving on your music ministry team?
Lauren: “Building relationships, connectedness to the team and giving them a sense of purpose and showing appreciation for their service.”
Stephen: “I am a firm believer that If you take time out of your busy week to get to know your volunteers, you will build healthy and long lasting relationships that will not only grow them musically but also, spiritually.”
Me: Jeff, from a volunteer standpoint, what made an incredible musician and vocalist as yourself want to volunteer your talents with a local church?
Jeff: “A simple desire to play music with others. A desire to use the gifts God gave me. My wife made me.”
Me: Ha! Fair enough. But what has kept you serving at the same place for over 10 years now?
Jeff: “Community – good friends that are on the team. Excellence – if we sucked, I’d probably be playing somewhere else. Commitment – a desire to serve with the gifts God gave me.”
Me: What are a few things that would cause you to NOT serve in your local church music ministry anymore?
Jeff: “Pretty much the opposite of above. If I didn’t like the people. If there wasn’t a commitment to excellence. If I felt like I didn’t have input or a voice into what we do. If I didn’t feel like there was support for the arts from church leadership.”
Did you notice a theme running through the majority of the dialogue? Relationships. Community. You can have all the new talent in the world, but if you have a high turnaround rate, chances are you aren’t investing into them outside of the ministry. You care more about what you can get out of them than what the ministry could do for them. Invest in your new talent.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this series. Please feel free to email me if you have any comments or other questions! Jasons@coastcity.tv
