Worship and Humiliation
Posted on 25. Jan, 2011 by Dustin Ragland in Blog, Uncategorized
Hello there again-been awhile since we’ve been too busy on this here plot of interspacenetosphereweb. I thought I would try to write another random thought chat for you folks out there. Note that again, this is really just me riffing and doesn’t necessarily reflect the thoughts of everyone in the band, just wanted to think out loud (if 1′s and 0′s is ‘out loud’) for a wee bit.
One thing a lot of people ask us while we visit them on the road is how to be a part of a traveling band like we are. The question is usually couched in some sort of politely religious frame, with the Lord curiously calling someone to a place where worship pays the bills, though rarely do we say this out loud. If this sounds harsh, I am fully aware that in some ways worship “pays the bills” for me as well as for many of the people I respect the most, so that’s not the issue.
The question real exposes what is still a point of great tension for us who are involved in any sort of stage-worthy activity within a liturgical context, anything where we lead our friends from a place of authority/admiration. To claim that the world of worship music is immune or devoid of the kinds of rock and roll show mentalities we often try to stay away from is just untrue. It will be there as long as our music is mostly an analog to popular music, and there is nothing wrong with that either, in and of itself.
Yet the darker side of egoism which is simply part of being an artist will seemingly always be a struggle for young and established artists alike. The task of creation takes a certain amount of individualism, of self-awareness, of confidence in one’s esoteric vision. This stuff all can (but doesn’t have to) put one at odds with Jesus’ character.
Just think of how awkward a place it is for an unknown worship artist to have to “sell” his or herself to pastors in order to develop a career in this sort of world. It’s tough, because the artist (hopefully) wants to simply serve, and build his or her job side enough to be self-sustaining, so he or she can focus more and more on leading, writing, being a pastor of music. When the artist simply wants to be a rock star, hopefully the Holy Spirit in us can smell this from a mile away. And when it creeps up within us.
So here’s my final word to up and coming worship leaders, musicians, writers: playing worship music is not going to stroke your rock and roll ego all that much, in most cases. I say this as someone who needs to vent an aggressive rock imagination from time to time, and I don’t expect to do this with Charlie or any worship artist because it simply isn’t the venue for it. If i tried to force it into it, it would hinder the real work of worship music which is, at the end of the day, service to the Church, to a local pastorate and parish. You might be a part of a great hardcore worship band, in which case you are quite fortunate. You might be able to do a club tour and build bridges back between Church music and pop music. Yet it is unlikely; this is very rare. Look well into yourself and ask God to reveal a decent picture of yourself so you can see how to vent what you need to vent as a musician. God has put this in you, so don’t fear it, but ask Him constantly to show you how to use it well, and with real humility.
Worship music does not ask you to “check your ego at the door.” It will do this for you, if you are in a healthy congregation for this. If you are treated like a rock star for your worship leading, it’s worth bearing in mind you are not headlining Radio City Music Hall.
Nor does realizing the humility of worship mean you get to be unthoughtful about your music or un-imaginative or not have to work really hard as a musician and writer. This is simply the dark back alley of spiritual pride, spiked with good ole’ laziness. Flee this as much as you flee pride or lust for fame.
Leave some comments! Peace be with you all! Hope to see you soon!
So Dustin, where is the fine line between a worship pastor trying to “sell himself” to his pastor to be able to do something like that? If the passion and the calling is there, how do you go about doing that? I don’t sell myself very well and am in fact, like most musicians, my worst critic. Could you give me some guidance/wisdom on how to sell yourself in a way that isn’t prideful and selfish?
Thanks Dustin! This is exactly where I’m at and I’ve always wondered what established worship leaders do/did. Its good to know I’m not the only one struggling through these questions and that it seems to take time and a lot of trust in the Lord that if he put this in me then do what I can and trust He’ll open the right doors in the right season!
Thanks for the encouragement/reminders.
-Andrew
love this, D……….so good to read and process. So glad these thoughts are out and floating around the blog world.
Wow. Thanks so much for this post. Just what I need to be reminded of.
Excellent reminder word Dustin. Doing Worship with “stretching” creative excellence is not a sin; but in fact, a command = Whatever our hands find to do; we are to do it with all of our might(excellence). Excellence is an attitude journey; not a destination so the creative passion pursuit of it in whatever we are doing makes the heart of Daddy-God glad. And another good point you make is that being in a healthy congregation will keep Lead Worshippers/Band Members/Team Members, in check. Keep writin’ your heart man!Good Stuff!!
“God has put this in you, so don’t fear it, but ask Him constantly to show you how to use it well, and with real humility.” Dustin: I love this! Ask him constantly…it is so easy to fall into a comfortable expression of the talents god has given us and to continue on with out considering how god wants to use them. This should be a daily prayer wrapped on thanksgiving to the one who gives us all things, including the ability to play an instrument or sing! Daily conversation with the lord will yield fruit of a humble hearted approach. Thanks for you thoughts!
You guys lead us at student life camp 09 at Orange Beach. Just wanted to let you know that your attitude and stage presents set an example to our students that has transformed their mentality to the “worship artist”..
Prior their apporach was the rock star mentality – now as we approach worship at big venue events the attitude is not focused on the production or even who it is but on the real reason we are there. I do want to say thank you for setting an example to them..
Our focus this week is Vertical Worship from Psalm 103… I will be using portions of your Blog to remind them of our time at camp…
Thank you for your obeidance in His call.. I know that you could be Rockin it up somewhere else.. But the authenticity the Charlie Hall Band brings is a much needed example.
Good words Dustin!
Good Stuff! i hope to one day manage a band like Charlie Hall Band! crossing the fingers, I just know God can use me in that way…He is worthy of our greatest praise!
This is really rich Dustin. Thanks for being you w big words. See you tomorrow
Oh cool-I thought the comments were broken there cause a few folks had some issues posting-but they work now apparently! So glad to hear form you all.
Dane-that’s really the hard question, and I hope it’s not a cop out to say it will depend a lot on the person’s personality. I have a harder time trusting really gregarious people who seem to want to sell me something (even if they are ‘selling the Gospel’ if that makes sense) so I have to watch that I’m not too melancholy in myself. Melancholy doesnt equal sincerity. Nor does gregariousness equal enthusiasm.
Maybe the best way is to ask God to grow some avenues for you, where you don’t have to push as much, but again, sometimes it takes a little self-insertion into the right places too. It’s so hard to make any kinds of rules for!
The easiest way for anyone in the Church to see the heart/fruit of a person who is looking to work with them, or they want to hire them as a worship leader or whatnot, is to see how they behave in the smallest of venues and in situations that offer them little to no ego boosting.
It is great to hear from you all-keep letting us know any questions!
Dustin,
As always the heart strings from which you and the rest of your band writes is one that seeks to honor God and His son… Thank You for being a light in a dark place!
Your struggle to “pay the bills” with your craft and calling is something I can relate to. I’ve always struggled with the idea that God has called me and yet, I NEVER want the calling to slip into just a “JOB”. I has to be more than that, for The Kingdom of God are we called, not simply a check!
I think pastors/communicators struggle with this same tension of living out your rock n roll fantasies and leading people toward Christ… I think the key to managing this tension is to have the right people around you in community to hold you accountable. I trust the Charlie Hall band does this with one another as you travel around the country with so many people looking up to you, and this is why I follow and encourage others to connect with your ministry!
Looking forward to seeing you guys in the Salt Lake City are!
Peace to you all
Tony
Dustin, your words have come at a perfect time for me (surprised it took me over two months to read them): “Look well into yourself and ask God to reveal a decent picture of yourself so you can see how to vent what you need to vent as a musician. God has put this in you, so don’t fear it, but ask Him constantly to show you how to use it well, and with real humility.”
So often as a worship leader I have felt the hindrance of having an “aggressive rock imagination”…the prayer of asking God to constantly show us how to use our musical venting well has been a huge blessing to me this afternoon (after having played a gig last night in the local pub). I see my time now when I play outside of the church as a moment to shine the Gospel, without words. A few weeks ago, a young man came up to me (I play at a university pub) and he said, “You shine – and your music encourages me.” He was visibly shaken up, and very appreciative of the effect my music had on him. He continued to explain what I attributed as a God moment for him, and I was humbled. The songs I sang were not “worship songs” and yet God still spoke through that music and my skill to reach him. Needless to say, the young man and I had a good discussion. Thank you Dustin for your thoughts.
Please pass on to Charlie and to the other lads in the band how much I thank God for you all…I feel so often you guys are under-appreciated in the “passion” movement, but know that the work you are doing is making a difference, and your songs ARE encouraging the church (Constant is in the rotation right now for us, and has fuelled some very powerful collective worship times for our church).
Great stuff. “Look well into yourself and ask God to reveal a decent picture of yourself so you can see how to vent what you need to vent as a musician. God has put this in you, so don’t fear it, but ask Him constantly to show you how to use it well, and with real humility.” This one hit hard for me haha
I really love how God is declaring that His constantly here with me and everyone in this world. The lyrics of your song “constant” and “breathe” has been encouraging me past couple of weeks.
Greater things have yet to come through this amazing band!
keep up the good fight!