Can’t Carry a Tune
I’d like to think I can sing. In my mind, I’m a star but the reality is, I can’t sing very well. I have a incredibly difficult time hitting notes. I can do it when I hear other people sing as I match my voice to theirs, but on my own, it’s a bit rough. Playing guitar has helped but even then, I still seem to have trouble matching myself to my guitar. Oh how last year was so good with someone who could sing well.
Over my 4 years of doing this thing called ‘worship leading’, I realize it’s not all about musical ability. Sure, it always helps but worship leading is not primarily about musical ability but it is about spiritual ability. When I started, it was horrible. I would dread playing guitar for small group. I was so scared they were going to quit coming to small group b/c I was so bad. So what I did was I learned a few “utility” songs. I probably only played 6 songs or so that year and I call them ‘utility’ songs because they can fit into a number of different occasions. No matter what Bible Study was on, I could fit one of them in. Sure there are plenty of other good songs that might have worked better w/ the Bible Study but these songs worked just as well. These songs have become my staple not b/c they’re awesome songs but b/c they are spiritually useful. It’s not about picking the best sounding song but a song that spiritually resonates and reflects and applies to what we talked about.
Pastor CJ Mahaney says it so much better here: Tuneless Pastors Leading Worship? There are alot of things I don’t do well; singing and musical skills are up there. Man may look at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart. It can be excellent on the outside but it must has spiritual power behind it. People won’t be moved by my guitar playing but it is not beyond what God can use to work in people through my Bible Studies.