Having A Healthy Mindset As A Church Musician
“...we come as servants, with the mindset that our role is to support the congregation as they sing songs of worship to God. We come to serve, not to be served - and that’s an attitude that we've had modeled by Christ Himself...”
As church musicians, our role is very different from being a musician in any other setting. Because of this, we need to think very differently about how we approach playing music in church. The kind of thinking we need to have doesn't just come naturally, but requires a "renewing of the mind", based upon the truths of scripture.
With that being said, here are 4 quick points to help us have a healthy mindset as church musicians...
HAVE A HUMBLE HEART
I guess the most obvious element here is that of guarding ourselves from pride, and seeking to walk in true humility. Biblically speaking this is not so much thinking less of yourself, as it is thinking of yourself less.
Now all of us struggle with pride, but thankfully God is always with us to help us overcome that, and be more humble.
There have been multiple times when I’m leading on the piano in a worship service, and I’ve caught myself having a prideful thought like, “That phrase sounded really neat, I hope someone noticed it”, and then instantly, mid-song I’ve been convicted, and confessed my sin as I continue to play. Talk about multi-tasking!
But God is gracious, and that’s why we have a Saviour, because we sin, and He has made provision for that through Christ.
Also, true humility is not that inverted form of pride either, that tells people “Oh I’m a terrible piano player”, when you know you’re not. This is just as bad as saying “I’m an amazing piano player’ when you know you're not.
True humility, in the context of being a church piano player, is simply having a realistic understanding and perspective of the gifts you have, and the role you play as a church musician.
Listen to these words from Philippians 2:3, which speak so well of this subject of humility…
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [Philippians 2:3]
The next point then, related to that, is…
HAVE A SERVANT’S HEART
What a different situation we are in as church piano players, involved in the corporate worship of God, compared to a concert where everyone is essentially serving the performer with their time, effort, money, and affection.
By contrast, we come as servants, with the mindset that our role is to support the congregation as they sing songs of worship to God. We come to serve, not to be served - and that’s an attitude that we've had modeled by Christ Himself, as it says in Mark 10:45…
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." [Mark 10:45]
So we’re not like the pop star who has roadies to carry all their equipment, and groupies to constantly flatter them and tell them how wonderful they are. Rather we fulfil our role by serving our brothers and sisters, seeking to make it as easy as possible, to worship God in song. We do what is best for the whole church, being willing to lay aside our personal desires and preferences. That’s what it means to have a servant’s heart.
Ok, point number 3 then, is…
BE TEACHABLE
In the context of the local church, God has given us leaders: elders, pastors, ministers - whatever it is in your denomination. Each of these have been appointed, at times, to speak into our lives.
Then there are family members, and trusted friends who also may see a need to speak into our lives. This might come in the form of a gentle correction, warning, or counsel that is pointing out a blind spot we may have.
Now the challenge for us as musicians, is that we can be a little “sensitive” at times - especially when any critique is directed at our playing, or how we may have led a song of worship.
Of course, there are times when this is unwarranted, and that’s part of the package as a church musician. There will always be someone who thinks you played too loud, too quiet, too fast, or too slow - but even then, we can take these comments in a gracious manner, and diffuse any potential conflict.
As church musicians, it is essential we don’t get easily offended when a necessary critique or correction comes our way. In fact, we should expect, welcome, and invite this, if we want to become effective as a church musician. It’s how we grow and develop!
Here’s a truth gem I heard once, that may help you too…
"The more easily offended you are, the more difficult your life will be"
This can certainly be true in the case of being a church piano player.
By contrast, Proverbs 12:15 encourages us to be willing to hear what others may bring to us…
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. [Proverbs 12:15]
It doesn’t always feel good at the time, but later on, we often realise that what the person said was more helpful, than the person who just flatters us. As it says in Proverbs 28:23…
23 Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue. [Proverbs 28:23]
So be teachable, and you will be a blessing to others.
The last point then, is number 4…
BE REPLACEABLE
Now this might be misunderstood, so let me explain.
In saying be replaceable, what I am meaning is that there may be a time when someone else needs the opportunity to serve as the church pianist. If that happens, be willing to make space for that person.
Or if you have been doing all the services, but now there’s someone who can do half of them and you do the other half - welcome this, and try to avoid seeing your identity being so wrapped up in being THE church pianist that no one else ever gets a look in.
Taking this a step further, it’s also really good if you can actively encourage and even help equip other piano players to step up to the role. A church would say it's a good problem to have if there were too many piano players to choose from!
In situations where a person finds it so hard to step aside, or let others serve in the role they have held for so long - this reveals a self-importance that is very inconsistent with what it means to be a believer who is to put others above themselves.
Now you may be all your church has, so the last thing you feel is replaceable. Maybe you would love some extra help? Either way, the heart attitude we want to maintain, is that of not seeing ourselves as indispensable. After all, the church could sing acapella if they had to.
Now if there was one way, above all others, to help us establish or maintain these attitudes, it would be to…
CULTIVATE YOUR PERSONAL WALK WITH THE LORD
This is what sets our role apart from any other musical role out there in the world - because first and foremost, we are doing this for Christ, our Lord - and we will be the best we can be in this role, and the greatest blessing we can be to our church, the more we cultivate our personal relationship with the Lord.
The best, and only way to really lead worship effectively, is to be a worshipper yourself, so that must take priority.
Alternatively, when our spiritual life is neglected, then it doesn’t matter how well we play, or how much we know - in time problems will surface because the root, always determines the fruit.
[Return to The Church Piano Player Website]
This blog post was written by pastor and pianist Kris Baines, from The Church Piano Player. Kris lives in the UK with his family, having recently moved back New Zealand where he worked as a pastor for the past 26 years (also leading worship/worship teams). Kris has also spent over 35 years writing, recording, and performing music and is now bringing all that combined experience together to help equip church piano/keyboard players.
Check out the church piano player website for more information on online courses by Kris Baines.
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