One thing is sure: some musicians (and assorted Christian music industry types) think of what they do more as a job, others more as an outreach of the church, and some consider their work in music a combination of both. The "hobby" aspect is evident as well.

For some time now I have been thinking about this, as well as the nearly constant tension (at least in some places) between various church leadership and musicians. I believe there is a connection between the "ministry versus vocation" issue and the "musicians versus leadership" rift where it occurs. Because I am both a pastor and a musician, I think in both directions. In this article, I'd like to first spotlight some of the typical thoughts and concerns of the pastorate. And I'll also offer some admonition for leaders in churches that may help us to "right the ship" inasmuch as we are partly responsible for what remains out of order.

I had an interesting discussion with a pastor of a very large and fairly progressive church one evening. Over refreshments, I asked him a number of casual questions pertaining to the church he served, the Bible school the church had been running, and the sort of teaching and courses offered there. The school had been going and growing for about five years, and they had an impressively balanced curriculum.

When I observed that they had a large number of musicians and were quite involved in worship and outreach in several areas, I asked if there was anything specifically for them in the Bible school or at least in the church's schedule of teaching for congregational members.

The pastor leaned forward and asked me if I wished him to answer my question candidly. "Certainly," I responded.

He said, "Frankly, most of the musicians in our church are so full of themselves, so caught up in their music and their personal vision that in the face of such immaturity and arrogance, we can't see the point in expending the time and energy. They don't seem to want anything from the church but spiritual and verbal affirmation of whatever they do. They generally seem to bristle or quit coming to services at all at the slightest caution or admonition. And if they're not willing to respect our maturity and experience, why should we offer them a platform for their music?"

I began my reply to this with as much grace and respect for him as I could muster. First, I agreed with him that lots of musicians either seem or indeed are pretty one-dimensional people who relate to little else than music. What people think of their "offerings" many times dictates their attitudes and friendships as well as loyalties. I also assured him that I was certain he knew his people and specific church situation far better than I.

But I went on to ask him (very carefully!) if he thought the Holy Spirit might ultimately lead their local church or perhaps the Bible school to teach and disciple the musicians that were springing up in that fellowship. I also tried to graciously ask him how he expected the situation to change if the leadership didn't begin dialogue, accountability, and teaching with the musicians there. His basic reply was, "Perhaps someday. But at the moment I have seen very little to cause me to believe in the sincere interest of such a relationship from the musicians we deal with. They are a greater pain than they are a gift."

All of this may sound pretty harsh, but this church leader voiced what I have heard many times over my years of music ministry. And much of what he says holds truth that the average Christian musician needs to hear.

I didn't agree with him simply because I'm also a pastor. I didn't do it as a sort of clever ploy to get him to hear my side of the story as a musician. Whether his commentary was accurate regarding his local fellowship or not I don't know. What I do know is that what I have experienced with many musicians and had to face in my own life--especially in my younger years--has proven to me that much of his assessment of what's wrong with many of us is quite accurate.

Too many musicians expect the local church in general, the leaders in particular, to welcome them, their music, their appearance, and their attitudes with open arms and nearly instant understanding if not praise and recognition. But in most situations, those things take time. A proven ministry is one that has proven faithful over the long haul, not simply one that includes skilled and/or gifted singers, players, speakers. And if you end up in a fellowship where the skilled, gifted or beautiful are immediately "recognized" and given affirmation, just stick around and watch the eventual crash--because as sure as snow in a Michigan winter, it'll come.

As far as his comment about arrogance--who but a musician knows the truth of such an area of "the flesh"? The "pride of life" is certainly an area musicians (if they are at all skilled) battle with. And far too many have the better part of their sense of identity and self-worth wrapped up in their musical abilities and in the response of the audience. This is immature. But what pulpit minister doesn't deal with the same temptations? Neither are immaturity and self-centeredness the exclusive domain of the young.

I eventually got around to mentioning to my pastor friend that everything he pointed out about some musician's lack of discipleship, immature attitudes, pride, and basic self-serving spirit is just as pertinent for preachers, Bible teachers, church administrators, Christian authors, etc. He admitted as much.

It seemed to me that he had given up on the musicians, and I suspect that some of them had given up on him as well.

In my opinion, for every immature, rebellious musician, there is at least one trained church leader who has rejected these unruly and challenging minstrels as "unfit" if not unworthy to even attempt to teach. Both leaders and musicians must be open to the charge of "immature" and "impatient." And frankly, some leaders are simply trying to keep their jobs--and the church indeed pays. . . .

I also asked him to consider the part age played in this. How can we expect an eighteen-year-old person who has come from a home where no one has ever followed Jesus, where there has been little or no church background, to understand how to act and relate to church norms? Does it make sense to expect the spiritual maturity of someone who has only been a follower of the Lord for a few years to match that of a missionary who has served for a decade? It is as foolish for us to expect great depth of character from young musicians as it is for them to expect us to consistently love and deal with them perfectly--as would Jesus. They are not Jesus, and neither are we!