This past week I got quite a surprise when I discovered our drummer would not be able to make it to rehearsal because of a school function. I mean, we’ve done worship without drums before, but this was a big Sunday. Not only was it palm Sunday, but it was our church’s 10 year anniversary Sunday. There were probably more people there than will be at our Easter services, and yeah that’s big! So, the rest of my team and I put our heads together at rehearsal and nothing sounded great. I mean most things sounded good, but it wasn’t up to par with what our congregation is used to and we didn’t want to present anything less than what we normally do on such an important Sunday.
So, here’s where it gets interesting. One of my guitarists says, “Well you play drums. Why can’t you just lead from them?” If you are a worship leader I don’t need to tell you all the things wrong with that statement, but without any other choices I gave it a try. Much to my surprise it quickly became easy for me to sing and play at the same time, and after a couple more hours of practice we did it on Sunday morning.
It only worked because I had three other singers out front to visually lead, but it really wasn’t that difficult. I obviously had comments from numerous people after the service who loved seeing me doing something a little different and one elder of the church said, “You look like Phil Collins up there; it was great!”
Well, I am not Phil Collins, but after my first drumming/singing experience I feel like I will definitely try it again sometime.
# Josh on April 2nd, 2007
Just call that praise team configuration “Genesis”, and you’ll be well on your way.
You know, it’s funny the stuff that we get thrown into in worship situations that we wouldn’t normally. You leading from drums, me just playing drums (which is just plain psycho). It’s not something I would have ever attempted otherwise unless there was a real need, but it’s turned out to be a blessing because I’ve become more comfortable with something that was outside of my comfort zone. Those are the things that make you grow more than in anything - in music and in life.
Pretty cool. Keep pushing yourself. God’s given you the talent to do even more than that.
See an envelope and push it.
# Joel on April 3rd, 2007
Yeah, I told everyone that I was a drummer by necessity and not by choice, but I really do enjoy it. it’s just hard to properly lead from that position. However, I do think it was great for our team to see that I can also do that if needed because it causes them to respect me as a musician more. Not that they didn’t before, but I think it’s always better if your team thinks highly of your abilities rather than questions them.
Who knows I could be playing drums in the next project I start. The world may never know.